Road pricing trial prompts drivers to change habits

A new report shows that drivers significantly alter their behaviour when faced with higher costs during peak traffic hours, according to Danish public broadcaster DR. In a trial involving nearly 3,000 motorists, participants were far more likely to avoid driving in congested urban areas when fees doubled during rush hour.

The experiment found that many opted to stay home, use public transport, or switch to cycling when faced with additional charges for driving on busy roads. The shift was most pronounced in major cities and during morning and evening peak periods.

The report suggests that road pricing could be an effective tool in reducing congestion, though it remains unclear whether Danish drivers would broadly accept permanent fees for using roads.