Amsterdam - An analysis of transport patterns in the Netherlands on Wednesday has found one silver lining to the recession - drivers are benefitting from reduced commute times and jams.

The ANWB, which monitors traffic density on the Dutch roads, said the number of traffic jams on the ten busiest roads had been 15 per cent lower in the first six months of 2009 than during the same period the previous year.

On a national level, morning traffic jams dropped 23 per cent while in the evening the length of traffic jams fell 11 per cent.

Good weather conditions explained part of the reason, but the ANWB said the economic recession contributed most to emptier roads. (dpa)