Drivers 'lose days in traffic jams'

UK motorists who drive to work lose about five and a half working days each year to sitting in their vehicle in traffic jams, a new study has claimed.

The figures, released by Continental Tyres, mean that more than 100 million working days are lost each year to the UK economy among the 18 million people who regularly drive to their place of employment.

Most young drivers are certain to react with horror at the thought of so much wasted petrol as they sit idle in traffic jams at a time when fuel prices and car insurance costs already hit them hard in the pocket.

Continental Tyres head of safety Tim Bailey said: "With 63% of workers using their car on at least four of five days in the working week, planners and government need to recognise that the morning and evening rush-hour is going to be a feature of life in Britain for some time to come.

"For individuals it means frustration but for the economy as a whole it means lost productivity and increased emissions, so it remains a key issue to tackle."

Copyright Press Association 2012