Statistics released by the Department for Transport showed a 14 per cent increase in the volume of traffic from 2006 to 2007, a rise of 5.5 billion vehicle kilometres.

The findings also showed an increase in heavy goods vehicle traffic by just under one per cent, or 29.4 billion vehicle kilometres.

Edward Rogers, of haulage firm E.M. Rogers, in Lodge Farm, Northampton, said: "There will soon be lots coming off the roads because of fuel prices.

"There will be cutbacks and a number of hauliers going out of business, even though the general trend is that there are more and more vehicles around."

The report also found a drop in average speed across the country, indicating higher levels of congestion.

"Everything is getting busier and there's more and more congestion. The A14 seems to be a regular hotspot, as does the M1, and accidents can only be part and parcel of the increase in traffic," said Mr Rogers.

Traffic flow in Northamptonshire has increased year on year and latest figures showed 8.4 billion vehicle kilometres on the county's roads.

Government figures have registered for the first time the percentage of foreign vehicles driving in the UK, accounting for 0.4 per cent of movement in the East Midlands.

Jonah Clarke, transport manager at Brackmills Haulage, said: "We do notice a lot more foreign vehicles these days, particularly HGVs. They tend to operate cheaper and buy fuel cheaper."

Councillor Bob Seery, county cabinet member for transport, said: "We were aware there was an increase in traffic using our roads and that has increased internally by people carrying out more road journeys and owning more cars, but also by the fact that a proportion of traffic passing through the county. Northamptonshire is the main route from the Midlands to the east coast.

"All this emphasises there's a need to take action and at the end of the day, the determination of how successful we will be, will be dictated by the availability of resources."