Fewer than 45% of company cars or private vehicles on long-term leases were still active after the Italian lockdown was effected on 16 March, showing the effectiveness of the lockdown measures.

The data shows the consequent downward trend in road traffic after the lockdown decree, as traced by the Targa Telematics platform

The data has been revealed by Targa Telematics and shows that vehicle usage, which also includes short-term rentals, varied depending on the area and its impact from the coronavirus.

In Lombardy, the region hardest hit by the crisis, both sets of figures are significantly lower: the percentage of cars belonging to company fleets or long-term private contract hire still circulating accounted for 35.6% of the total and fewer still, only 23.6%, for short-term rentals.

However, the data, based on more than 450,000 vehicles in these sector, also shows how vehicles have played an essential role where travel is permitted, eg to go shopping or travel to the chemist, which is why usage has remained above zero.

The data is revealed in an infographic that shows weekly trends in traffic density during the month of March, highlighting the impact of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 16 March and the consequent downward trend in road traffic as traced by the Targa Telematics platform.

“Figures recorded for the second half of the month show clearly how circulation stopped after the emergency decree was passed on 16 March, as car traffic plummeted almost immediately,” commented Nicola De Mattia, CEO of Targa Telematics.

“Our data underscores the effectiveness of the measures introduced and can also be used to assess how effective the measures have been at local levels.”