Traffic levels on Clare’s busiest roads fell by 16% in the days after the introduction of Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions.
The figure represents the weekly fall over the past two Fridays, at a selection of routes examined by Clare FM.
Traffic levels are still significantly higher than during the first lockdown, however.
These figures have been analysed by Clare FM, using data compiled by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
It looks at traffic levels at different points on the M18, N18, N19, N67, N68 and N85 roads.
Across all sites, it shows a 16.1% drop in traffic levels when comparing last Friday, October 23rd, after the introduction of Level 5, with the previous Friday, October 16th, when Level 3 restrictions were in place.
This varied however, with a 29% drop on the N85 between Ennistymon and Inagh contrasting with the 7.5% fall on the N67 between Kilrush and the ferry terminal in Killimer.
Traffic levels under Level 3 were already down on normal levels, and now there are around 40% fewer cars on Clare’s main roads when compared with a date in September before the re-introduction of significant COVID restrictions.
Compared with a date in April, however, and the last lockdown, there are still far more vehicles on the road now – 127% more, to be exact.
This isn’t a surprise as, unlike then, schools were still open last Friday and many businesses which had been shut then, are able to trade now.
