The number of cars joining the gridlock on Irish roads is beginning to moderate, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.
In the first half of 2002, the number of vehicles licensed was 143,006 compared with 158,766 in the same period last year, a decrease of 9.9 per cent.
There were 13,018 new private cars licensed in June, 2002, compared with 15,688 in June, 2001, a fall of 17 per cent. In the first six months of 2002, there were 104,552 new private cars licensed, a decline of 9.2 per cent on the corresponding period last year.
The highest number of new private cars licensed in June, classified by make are Volkswagen (1,715) followed by Toyota (1,702), Ford (1,647), Nissan (1,215), Renault (871) and Opel (808).
The licensing figures refer to vehicles taxed for road use only and are classified by taxation class.