That statistic may be skewed by an increase in the average number of vehicles per household - each car being driven less.

Exactly what I though

On line shopping, leading to most sensible people calculating that it saves time ordering from home rather than "nipping" to the shops?

For the customer, that should help to reduce road congestion? But it doesn't help the high-street trader unfortunately.

If, like us, you've worked hard all your life and can afford two cars in retirement, then why shouldn't you? It's obviously an area to look at if you need to make economies, or go on expensive holidays instead - but otherwise just enjoy what you have. There must be plenty of couples whose mileage is much lower than yours, but still value the independence that two cars give them.

It isn't just independence. Different cars suit different uses. The wife's little hatchback is good for popping down the shops and parking down the main street but my big estate is much more comfortable for long country roads with the dog and lots of luggage which is something we do twice a week.

For a given driving time you cover less miles each year due to increasing congestion.

For my typical journeys for work over the past 40 years the journey times have almost doubled in some cases, or require starting ever earlier year on year in order to beat the crush.

As for shopping, the High Street long ago abandoned any cursory nod to customer service, whilst Amazon (love them or hate them) do know a thing or two about CS. No longer welcome in shops? staff too busy chatting about footy/whatever? toilets for staff only? no problem matey, cheerio.