Figures show rise in number of journeys

THE “stay at home” message appears to be having less effect on Dundee drivers, as data reveals traffic is substantially higher than during the first lockdown.

Current Covid-19 travel restrictions allow essential journeys only – for work, education, exercise, essential shopping, shared parenting and caring for a vulnerable person.

However, recorded traffic hit 641,178 in Dundee between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – 17% higher than the first week of the first lockdown in March last year.

In the second week of the current lockdown, that figure jumped again to 740,078 vehicles, an increase of 27% on the corresponding week in April last year.

According to Traffic Scotland, who supplied the data, that means current traffic levels are approaching half of “normal” pre-pandemic levels.

Traffic data has caught the attention of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who recently said the Scottish Government was “considering whether other restrictions are required”.

The Scottish Government’s five-level plan for coronavirus protections remains in effect, with mainland Scotland having now moved from Level 4 to a temporary lockdown.

Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said he had noticed a difference on the roads compared to last spring.

He said: “Obviously, if those movements relate to people maybe not following the rules then that would be a concern, so again we just have to reiterate the point that these regulations