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Traffic volumes in January are 10% below average levels for the year, making it the quietest month of the year.Despite this, motorists are warned that traffic levels are running at all time highs on Fridays, with the “rush hour” starting to develop from noon.

Friday is therefore the most dangerous day to be driving, with casualties hitting a high point of 3,766 at 5pm, compared to an average of 3,426 on other weekdays.

New analysis by the RAC Foundation has revealed that drivers need to also be on their guard on Saturdays, when traffic volumes peak at noon – also the peak hour for casualties, at 2,799.

Failed breath tests are also at their highest on a Saturday, with 1,599 drivers and riders caught over the legal limit on Saturdays in 2006.

Sunday is the safest day to drive, with 12,000 fewer casualties than Friday’s total.

A new website has been created with an online carbon calculator – www.direct.gov.uk/ActOnCO2 – which enables people to calculate the size of their carbon footprint and provides a personal action plan to help reduce it.Individuals are responsible for more than 40% of CO2 emissions in the UK – mosty from energy used in the home and through travel.

The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) has called for a delay or cancellation of future fuel duty rises in their 2008 Budget submission. The submission by Ray Holloway, Director of the RMIF’s Independent Garage and Fuel Division, and Sue Robinson, Director of the RMIF’s National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), stated that the combination of continued high crude oil prices and the raising of Excise Duty levels on both petrol and diesel were causing financial difficulties for both users and owners of UK forecourt businesses. “With the implication of even higher oil prices in the spring of 2008 when stocks are increased to prepare for the peak summer demand, we believe the previously announced intent to raise duty further should be reviewed,” the submission read.

Fleet Managers have revealed the three greatest risks facing their drivers.

The first is the risk presented by other road users, which was recognised by 24% of Fleet Managers in the recent National Car Rental ( http://www.nationalcar.co.uk/ ) / Fleet News ( http://www.fleetnewsnet.co.uk ) survey as the largest threat to employees safety whilst driving business miles.

This was closely followed distractions caused by equipment such as Satellite Navigation and mobile phones. This in turn has raised further suggestions that a total ban on mobile phones whilst driving, regardless of hands free or not, should be duly considered.

“This survey really highlights the concerns Fleet Managers have over the level of concentration their drivers give to the road,” said Lorraine Farnon, National Car Rental Sales Director. “There’s clearly a dangerous tendency to multi-task behind the wheel – whether with GPS equipment or mobile phones – and this of course could also be illegal if the driver isn’t hands-free.”

22% of fleet operators also said that drivers were under too much pressure to meet deadlines which poses a threat to their safety.

While these threats were highlighted as presenting the most significant risks to fleet driving employees, 11% of Fleet Managers also felt their drivers’ poor skills behind the wheel presented a big risk to their safety.