Lockdown

[S2red]

Would someone explain to me why when we are in a Lockdown situation the roads appear busier than normal with folk travelling all over the place

Where we stay is on Glasgow East Dunbartonshire boundary and when out walking it seems traffic is no lighter than normal, in last lockdown roads were noticeably quieter

Why do all these folk seem to have a need to travel somewhere?

Do some folk think rules don't apply to them

[abzmike]

Fewer businesses have been forced to close. Construction and manufacturing still working, More childcare available for certain classes of workers. Other people travelling for exercise. it's not as much of a lockdown as last time.

[sherman]

Its cold, wet, windy and gets dark early. People are using their cars to go to the shops/exercise rather than walking when it was nice and warm with long days to do stuff in the summer.

[s2kjock]

People have got used to the relaxations during the summer, and are not taking it as seriously this time. My family up North can't see much of a difference since the recent changes - I think as it was never as restricted up there they are not really getting into the "spirit" of it in the way people elsewhere did - oddly enough, more tales of local outbreaks this time around - if the new easier spreading variant probably no surprise.

[deebs]

They could be going to work. Or if it's the weekend you could plan your day to, go to the supermarket, then go for a game of golf, give blood in the afternoon then nip round for a house viewing, meet your mate for a spot of tennis and finish up taking that old crap you have in the garage to the recycling centre. Just your average Saturday really.

All of it within the guidance and explicitly listed as reasonable excuses to leave the house in the guidance.

Maybe everyone's following along doing these things but now the spotlight effect means you're noticing it.

[P13cur]

The traffic hasnt changed since 1st lockdown was lifted I travel from bishopbriggs to greenock monday to friday and during the first lockdown the m8 was empty soon as it lifted tail backs have became worse and it hasnt got any better ... no traffic was my only perk of the lockdowns

[PaulD86]

Traffic perception is an interesting one - I have seen real vehivle count numbers for some key roads in one Scottish city from during the original lockdown. When I was out in the areas I would have sworn there was only about 20% of the normal traffic on the road. The actually counts showed there was actually 75% normal traffic levels. Slightly OT here, but it is interesting how a relatively small change in traffic volumes can make a huge difference to how busy a road feels.

[abzmike]

PaulD86 said:

Traffic perception is an interesting one - I have seen real vehivle count numbers for some key roads in one Scottish city from during the original lockdown. When I was out in the areas I would have sworn there was only about 20% of the normal traffic on the road. The actually counts showed there was actually 75% normal traffic levels. Slightly OT here, but it is interesting how a relatively small change in traffic volumes can make a huge difference to how busy a road feels.

And that is noticeable during school holidays. The situation just now is probable just a little lower than that.

[Lim]

[Andrew[MG]]

Lim said:

Where is that data from?

[colin79666]

Andrew[MG] said:

Where is that data from?

https://covid19.apple.com/mobility

Gives a good indication although probably a little Apple user bias in there.

[S2red]

Interesting though have elderly vulnerable parents and had to make a few motorway journeys recently and no sure if Motorways any quieter than normal

[Lim]

Updated chart from Apple.

Perhaps they are all travelling to get vaccinated! Fingers crossed mobility will get back close to normal by April. That will mark a whole YEAR.

Edited by Lim on Tuesday 2nd February 10:29

[S2red]

Daily UK stats for transport

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport...