Drivers have been found to spend nearly two years of their working lives stuck in traffic jams during their daily commute, according to shocking new research.
The report found that an average UK motorist loses a staggering 613 days to congestion over their lifetime, equivalent to more than 20 months behind the wheel.
The findings shared that Londoners face the worst congestion, spending an eye-watering 776 days of their working lives in traffic, equivalent to 25 months.
The data revealed a significant portion of working lives are being lost to gridlock, with some cities faring considerably worse than others.
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Manchester residents faced the second-worst traffic conditions, spending 676 days of their working lives in congestion. Belfast commuters rank third, with 651 days lost to traffic over their careers.
Cambridge and Newcastle upon Tyne rounded out the top five most congested cities, with residents spending 636 and 606 days, respectively, stuck in traffic.
Birmingham drivers were recorded as losing 577 days to congestion, while Liverpool commuters spend 575 days in traffic jams.
Oxford, Glasgow and Leeds complete the top 10, with residents spending 566, 554 and 513 days, respectively, in traffic over their working lifetimes.
The research calculated these figures by examining the average daily time spent in traffic for each city, then projecting this across a typical 48-year working life.
Londoners face an average of 89.6 minutes daily in traffic, compared to 78 minutes for Manchester residents and 75.2 minutes for those in Belfast.
Cambridge commuters spend approximately 73.4 minutes per day in congestion, while Newcastle residents face 70 minutes daily.
Birmingham residents spend 66.6 minutes daily in traffic, amounting to 831,168 minutes over their working lifetime. Liverpool commuters face similar conditions with 66.4 minutes daily in congestion.
Oxford residents spend 65.4 minutes each day in traffic, while Glaswegians face 64 minutes of daily congestion.
Leeds completes the top 10, with commuters spending 59.2 minutes daily in traffic jams. For Londoners, this equates to more than 1.1 million minutes stuck behind the wheel during their careers, while Manchester residents face nearly one million minutes in traffic over their working lives.
A spokesperson for Furniture At Work, which commissioned the report, said: "As cities become more crowded, commuters can look at ways to cut down on time spent in gridlock whether that's using public transport or adjusting travel times to avoid peak hours.
"By exploring other options, workers can reclaim valuable time and reduce the stress associated with long travel delays."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The research comes at a time when many workers are reassessing their commuting habits following changes to work patterns in recent years.
Experts suggest that flexible working hours, carpooling arrangements and remote work options could all help reduce time spent in traffic. Some employers are also implementing staggered start times to help staff avoid the worst of rush hour congestion.
Find Out More...
The report found that an average UK motorist loses a staggering 613 days to congestion over their lifetime, equivalent to more than 20 months behind the wheel.
The findings shared that Londoners face the worst congestion, spending an eye-watering 776 days of their working lives in traffic, equivalent to 25 months.
The data revealed a significant portion of working lives are being lost to gridlock, with some cities faring considerably worse than others.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Manchester residents faced the second-worst traffic conditions, spending 676 days of their working lives in congestion. Belfast commuters rank third, with 651 days lost to traffic over their careers.
Cambridge and Newcastle upon Tyne rounded out the top five most congested cities, with residents spending 636 and 606 days, respectively, stuck in traffic.
Birmingham drivers were recorded as losing 577 days to congestion, while Liverpool commuters spend 575 days in traffic jams.
Oxford, Glasgow and Leeds complete the top 10, with residents spending 566, 554 and 513 days, respectively, in traffic over their working lifetimes.
The research calculated these figures by examining the average daily time spent in traffic for each city, then projecting this across a typical 48-year working life.
Londoners face an average of 89.6 minutes daily in traffic, compared to 78 minutes for Manchester residents and 75.2 minutes for those in Belfast.
Cambridge commuters spend approximately 73.4 minutes per day in congestion, while Newcastle residents face 70 minutes daily.
Birmingham residents spend 66.6 minutes daily in traffic, amounting to 831,168 minutes over their working lifetime. Liverpool commuters face similar conditions with 66.4 minutes daily in congestion.
Oxford residents spend 65.4 minutes each day in traffic, while Glaswegians face 64 minutes of daily congestion.
Leeds completes the top 10, with commuters spending 59.2 minutes daily in traffic jams. For Londoners, this equates to more than 1.1 million minutes stuck behind the wheel during their careers, while Manchester residents face nearly one million minutes in traffic over their working lives.
A spokesperson for Furniture At Work, which commissioned the report, said: "As cities become more crowded, commuters can look at ways to cut down on time spent in gridlock whether that's using public transport or adjusting travel times to avoid peak hours.
"By exploring other options, workers can reclaim valuable time and reduce the stress associated with long travel delays."
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The research comes at a time when many workers are reassessing their commuting habits following changes to work patterns in recent years.
Experts suggest that flexible working hours, carpooling arrangements and remote work options could all help reduce time spent in traffic. Some employers are also implementing staggered start times to help staff avoid the worst of rush hour congestion.
Find Out More...