What would you do if you had an extra 42 hours every year? You probably wouldn’t choose to sit in traffic, but that’s exactly what Americans end up doing. According to a recent report, drivers spend more time than ever sitting in congested traffic. In 1982, motorists averaged about 16 hours a year stuck in traffic jams, and in 2010 the number increased to 38. Now, Americans spend 42 hours annually going nowhere behind the wheel.
The Good News About Traffic Jams
Sitting in traffic for the equivalent of an entire work week each year sounds like a nightmare, but the news actually has a silver lining. More congestion means more people are driving, which translates into cheaper gas and an improving economy. In fact, Americans drove a record number of miles in 2015, surpassing the previous record that was set in 2007, before the economy experienced a devastating hit.
Those Who Are Hit the Hardest
News of bad traffic is nothing new for Los Angeles drivers; anyone who has taken a trip down the 101 knows all about congestion. During rush hour, motorists can take 91 minutes to travel 26 miles, which means drivers are only traveling about 17 miles per hour. New York City, San Francisco, and San Jose also experience severe traffic congestion.
Protecting Yourself When Stuck in Traffic
Along with being frustrating, traffic jams are also potentially dangerous. Tailgating, which usually occurs during stop-and-go traffic, is one of the risk factors of getting into a rear-end collision. Drivers who are focused on their phones or other distractions in their vehicles may not realize that traffic ahead has stopped and collide into motorists ahead of them. Although you can’t totally protect yourself, paying attention to what is going on around you may prevent you from becoming an accident victim.
We Want to Help
What’s even worse than spending 42 hours a year of your life sitting in traffic? Probably getting hurt in an accident while doing so, and then having to pay for medical bills and vehicle repairs that weren’t your fault. If you don’t think this sounds fair, you’re not alone; the Steinberg Injury Lawyers don’t either and want to help you fight for your rights. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation and find out what we can do for you.
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