RAC comments on traffic estimates exceeding pre-recession peak

RAC head of external affairs Pete Williams said: “The lower cost of fuel is clearly keeping the country moving with increased vehicle miles going above the pre-recession high. The rise in van traffic and the record level of motorway usage are also significant as they are both very good indicators that ‘business Britain’ is productive.

“The RAC has long argued that the price of fuel is inextricably linked to the economy so this is further proof of that and something the Government should take heed of. What we need now is a firm commitment from the Chancellor in the Autumn Statement that he will not raise fuel duty from the already-excessive 58p a litre and add to the motoring tax burden. Britain’s motorists already pay in excessive of £40bn a year in fuel duty, VAT on fuel, insurance tax and vehicle excise duty so are more than helping in plugging the deficit.

“Any increase in fuel duty would have to be seen as an opportunistic step for the Government to cash in on low oil prices which are predicted to stay that way for some time to come.”