14 Dec 2010

'Commuter pain' affects Auckland drivers

11:50 am on 14 December 2010

An international survey shows many Auckland drivers believe traffic congestion is affecting their work and health.

The "commuter pain index" survey conducted in 23 cities by information technology company IBM found 80% of Auckland drivers complaining of travel stress.

Of the 400 drivers surveyed in October, 74% say they regularly travel to work alone in their car.

It found the average commute in Auckland took 26 minutes and covered 17 kilometres, but 47% of drivers say they had been stuck in traffic for an hour or more in the last 3 years.

As many as 30% believe that traffic congestion has affected their health, and 33% thought it was having a negative affect on their performance at work, university or school.

Auckland scored 28 out of 100 on the commuter pain index, well under Beijing and Mexico City which scored 99 each.