Motorists get access to latest traffic information for Christmas

A boost in digital radio sales over Christmas is likely to mean better access to traffic information for motorists. An estimated one million DAB digital radios were sold across the country over the Christmas period, with the Highways Agency now expecting an increase in users of its 24 hour a day Traffic Radio service.

Available on both DAB and the internet at trafficradio.org.uk, Traffic Radio gives motorists the latest regional and national traffic information on motorways and major 'A' roads in England including details of any incidents or roadwork’s. A recent partnership with Transport for London means that the service now also covers London's main routes at peak times.

Traffic Radio is updated every 10 minutes during busy periods to make sure listeners have the most up-to-date information available. The information is on a continuous loop so drivers can switch on, get the latest traffic information and then switch back to what they were originally listening to.

Steve Crosthwaite, Head of the Highways Agency's National Traffic Control Centre said: "The increase in digital radio sales over Christmas means that more people have access to helpful information when and where they want it, allowing them to make informed choices about their journey. The information on Traffic Radio will help them decide whether to take a different route or leave at a different time.

"Traffic Radio is easy to use - simply press the tune or scan button on your DAB radio to find all available stations and then scroll to Traffic Radio. Once the channel is stored it will be available anytime you switch the radio on - making it easy to flick it on and quickly listen to the traffic news whilst you are making a cup of coffee in the morning."

The service is produced for the Highways Agency by Trafficlink, who compile information from the Agency's 3,750 road sensors and 1,000 traffic cameras, as well as reports from Traffic Officers, Highways Agency's seven regional control centres, the police, local highways authorities, leisure and entertainment venues, weather stations and Met Office weather forecasts.

The service is available on DAB digital radio to an area covering potentially 80 per cent of the population of England. The service will become more widely available over the next two years as more space on regional multiplex transmitters becomes available. It is also available on the internet at trafficradio.org.uk.