Tougher driving test could cut congestion, MPs say

Drastic measures need to be taken to avoid our roads coming to a grinding halt, a new report from the Transport Committee of MPs concludes.

Measures including a tougher driving test, greater use of real-time information systems and better co-ordination between road management authorities offer affordable methods by which to curb road congestion, the MPs say.

‘Out of the Jam: reducing congestion on our roads’ explores options for curbing congestion without road building or road pricing, the latter of which the government has already ruled out for car drivers.

Launching the report today, Committee chair Louise Ellman said: “Congestion costs the economy billions of pounds each year. Improving the way we manage road space so that the network runs more smoothly is vital to the prosperity of the nation. Pursuing this challenge should form a key plank of central government transport policy.

“Ministers must also clarify who is responsible for warning road users about impending congestion and work with the transport industry and authorities to increase the availability of such information to drivers through greater use of existing, successful ‘intelligent traffic management’ systems across local authority boundaries.”

Recommendations for curbing congestion include options for a free Highway Code ‘App’, to share information on potential jams, helping to reduce congestion and wasted fuel.

Full report is available here: Parliament UK.