More traffic than in

and rules are there for a reason, and it’s to protect each and every one of your readers and every member of the city.

“We need people to stick to it and I would reiterate the message from the first minister.

“In one sense it’s good that the numbers are still significantly down, half of what it was, that’s a significant drop.

“But, if we’re mindful of the fact that pretty much nothing is open right now, then we shouldn’t still be seeing that level of traffic or commuting back and forth to places.

“I’ve basically not left the house because I walk around my own area and the only person that goes out in our car is my wife, because she’s a key worker.

“So it’s something for people to be mindful of and I go back to that point of, ‘it’s not whether you can do something – it’s whether you should do it’.”

Meanwhile, police action on travel breaches has ramped up.

Area Commander Chief Inspector David McIntosh said: “We have increased patrols in our communities to explain the regulations and to encourage people to do the right thing.

“Our approach throughout the pandemic has not changed.

“Police Scotland officers will continue to support people to follow the regulations and encourage them to take personal responsibility.

“People should not leave their homes unless for essential purposes. The best way to stay safe is to stay at home.

“Where officers encounter wilful breaches they will act decisively to enforce the law.”

Neil Greig, Scotland-based policy and research director at IAM roadsmart motoring group, said traffic figures were a key indicator of public compliance with lockdown.

“Viewing this data certainly shows why the Scottish Government is concerned about the levels of traffic in this lockdown compared to previous ones,” he added.

“What it also shows is the traditional patterns of morning and evening peaks, possibly including the school run, are continuing and the car, particularly in the middle of a freezing January, is still inextricably linked to economic activity.

“If you allow more categories of people to work, then people will use their cars to do so.

“Whether it is car use itself that is contributing to rising Covid case numbers, as opposed to what people do at either end of their journey, is still unclear.

“But these figures certainly add to the case for stricter enforcement of current rules or a rethink.

“However, I don’t support road blocks – particularly on main roads and in this weather, they are a safety hazard.”

A Transport Scotland

View towards Nethergate. Traffic on Kingsway West on Thursday.