Data reveals increase in car journeys made on UK roads on sunny Sunday

• Admiral telematics data reveals how lockdown has impacted number of car journeys, number of drivers on the road and the length of trips being taken
• Mother’s Day saw 14% fewer drivers on the road compared to previous Sunday
• Final Saturday of March saw 53% fewer journeys compared to pre-lockdown
• Number of trips taken on first Sunday in April up by 3%, suggesting some motorists were ignoring the order to stay at home during the sunny weather

Since the UK government announced a lockdown on 23 March, we’ve all been asked to stay at home and to only take journeys for essential reasons. Admiral has analysed its own telematics data to reveal what impact the lockdown has had on the number of drivers on the road and the car journeys they are taking.

Weekend drivers slowing down

Comparison of Admiral data between Saturday 14 March and Saturday 21 March – before the lockdown was announced – reveals there was a 10% reduction in the number of drivers on the road, possibly owning to the Prime Minister’s speech which urged everyone to “stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel”. The average distance of each trip was also down by 4%.

The following Saturday (28 March) after the lockdown had been in place for five days, data showed a 40% reduction in the number of drivers on UK roads, with the average number of trips reduced by 53%, and the average distance of each trip down by 21%.  

On the first Saturday of April (4 April) despite the warm weather, the number of drivers on the road were down by 14%, with the average number of trips down by 12%.

On Mothering Sunday (22 March), the day before the lockdown was announced in the UK, drivers were already starting to take government advice. Admiral data shows that the number of drivers on the road on Mother’s Day, was down 14% compared to the previous Sunday, with the average number of trips taken down 18% compared to the previous week.

Fast forward to Sunday 29 March, and the number of drivers on the road were down 47% compared to Mother’s Day.

However, on the first Sunday of April (5 April) the number of drivers on UK roads were down by just 3% compared to the previous Sunday. Meanwhile  the number of trips taken actually went up by almost 3%, suggesting some motorists were ignoring the order to stay at home during the sunny weather.

Not another manic Monday

On the day the UK lockdown was announced (23 March), Admiral data shows that the number of drivers on the roads were down 19% compared to the previous Monday. With an increasing number of people working from home and usually business commuter routes quiet, the following Monday (30 March) saw a 44% decrease in the number of road users, with the average number of trips taken down by 54%.

Gunnar Peters, Head of Telematics at Admiral said: “From the data collected by our telematics devices, we can see there has been a drastic reduction in the number of drivers taking to the road during the lockdown. Not only that, we can also see they are taking fewer journeys and seem to be sticking closer to home as the average distance for each trip is also lower.

“After the scenes we saw a couple of weeks ago, with thousands of people at beauty spots across country, our data shows that since then motorists have listened to the police and government. It’s positive to see that drivers across the country have responded by cutting the number of journeys they have taken. Although last Sunday’s sunshine appears to have resulted in a slight rise in the number of trips motorists took.

“While car journeys haven’t stopped completely, there are some drivers who have dramatically reduced their car usage and there will be many cars parked up and undriven for longer periods than normal. In these cases, it’s important to keep your car maintained and healthy so that when you do come to drive it again, it’s ready to go without any problems. With MOT exemptions now in place, it’s also vital that whether you’re driving your car or not, you are keeping it in good, working order and that it’s safe to drive.”

Here are some of Admiral’s tip to keep your car healthy during lockdown:

Battery: Flat batteries are the biggest cause of breakdowns. The electrolyte level in the battery should always be within the specified limit on the outside of the battery. This should be checked monthly in accordance with your owner’s manual and topped up with distilled water if necessary.

Check regularly for signs of corrosion or dirt on top of the battery and around the terminals and connections. If you do spot any corrosion, you should clean the battery to prevent any problems. If your car battery dies and can’t be recharged, you could tackle replacing but do your research first and stick to the safety guidelines.

Engine coolant: Check the coolant level regularly to avoid your engine overheating and make sure the correct water/anti-freeze mix is maintained. It only takes a minute, but it could save you a lot of money and hassle.

Check your car’s manual for the right mix, and ideally you want the protection level to be as low as -25°C. Only check and top-up your coolant when the engine is cool.

Listen out for the cooling fan. It should cut in when you’re idling after a run, for instance.

Tyres: Check all four tyres for damage and tread depth regularly, and keep them pumped up to the correct pressure. Legally, the depth of the tread must be at least 1.6mm but, for peace of mind, 2-3mm is recommended. Remember, driving with defective tyres isn’t just illegal, it’s dangerous too. If you do need a replacement, it’s best to go to a professional tyre fitter or call a mobile company because it’s a skilled job and specialist equipment is used.

Lights: Legally, all your car’s exterior lights must be operational – that’s everything from the headlights to indicators, and even the number plate bulb. Check them regularly, and if you can’t test them all yourself, ask a member of your family to help you check them.

It’s also worth cleaning the lenses so that you can see and other road users can see you. It’s possible to change headlight bulbs yourself, for instance, but sometimes access from within the engine bay is limited so you may have no alternative but to go to a garage.

Windscreen washer/wipes: Legally, you must make sure they’re all working correctly and the windscreen isn’t chipped or cracked. Make sure the wiper blades are clean and don’t leave smears and streaks and the windscreen wash is squirting up the windscreen correctly. Ideally, invest in washer fluid capable of withstanding temperatures of at least -15°C so you can keep your windscreen clear and clean whatever the weather.

Engine oil: To avoid expensive engine damage and a potential breakdown, check the oil level on your engine’s dipstick regularly and keep the oil topped up. Keep an eye out for leaks, and remember, too little or too much oil can both cause engine problems. Finally, don’t just buy the cheapest engine oil, check your car’s manual for the correct type (eg 5w30 or 10w30) and buy a reputable brand.