Auckland authorities are being urged to address congestion issues, while traffic levels remain lower than normal

New research by AA has found traffic plummeted between March and November last year.

Traffic has picked up on the Southern Motorway -- where the average commute is now taking ten minutes longer.

But AA spokesman Barney Irvine says the Northern Motorway has got quieter, and the Government and council should use the breathing space to reduce traffic long-term.

He says they need to set some firm targets for reducing congestion, so progress can be measured.