On this page:

Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2008

« Previous | Contents | Next »

Listen

Motor Traffic on All Roads: 1993-2006

Million vehicle kilometres

 Motor Traffic on All Roads: 1993-2006

Million vehicle kilometres

Vehicle type

1993

1995

2000

2005

2006

Cars

28,449

29,646

31,433

33,478

34,302

Two-wheeled motor vehicles

203

203

250

313

300

Buses

538

565

599

586

596

Light goods vehicles

3,591

3,832

4,591

5,460

5,705

Heavy goods vehicles

2,156

2,250

2,436

2,637

2,726

Total

34,938

36,496

39,319

42,475

43,629

The pollutants emitted by road transport contribute greatly to poor air quality that damages human and ecosystem health. Transport emissions also contain carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases ( GHGs), which contribute to climate change. Leaded petrol was banned in the UK on 1 January 2000 as part of the European Strategy to reduce pollution from road traffic. A reduction in the volume of road traffic would also help to achieve reductions in GHG emissions and concentrations of atmospheric pollutants.

The volume of motor traffic on roads in Scotland has increased by 25% between 1993 and 2006. Major roads (motorways and 'A' roads) account for roughly two-thirds of the volume of motor traffic in Scotland. In addition, minor roads ('B', 'C' and unclassified) have almost 15 billion vehicle kilometres of traffic per year. Cars account for nearly 80% of road traffic.

Source: Scottish Government

« Previous | Contents | Next »

Page updated: Tuesday, August 19, 2008