TRAFFIC levels on British roads fell 2.1% in the first three months of this year compared with January-March 2009, provisional Government figures have shown.

Car traffic fell 3% and heavy goods vehicle traffic was down 2%, but van traffic rose 2%, according to the statistics from the Department for Transport.

The figures also showed that the average delay on the slowest 10% of journeys on England's motorways and major A-roads fell to 3.65 minutes for the 12 months ending March 2010.

This compared with an average delay of 3.90 minutes for the 12 months ending March 2008 - the period used for comparison purposes.

The statistics showed that on British roads, comparing January-March 2010 with January-March 2009: Car traffic decreased by 3%; light van traffic increased by 2%; heavy goods vehicle traffic decreased by 1%; traffic on motorways fell by 2%; traffic on rural A-roads decreased by 2%; traffic on urban A-roads was unchanged; traffic on minor rural roads fell by 3%; traffic on minor urban roads was down by 3%.

AA president Edmund King said: "While less traffic may appear to be good news for UK motorists, the downside is that it was caused by a combination of paralysis caused by snow and ice, crippling fuel prices and the economic downturn. Road traffic remains a bellwether of economic and leisure activity.

"In a recent AA/Populus survey, 67% of AA members said they were cutting back on car use or spending due to the current cost of fuel.

"Lower levels of traffic also lull road authorities into a do-nothing mentality, with essential congestion-busting schemes put at risk. The AA predicts a rapid resurgence in congestion once the economy turns around."