This text was not translated, because it is originally in English
According to data released by Inrix, a leading provider of traffic information and driver services, I sit idle in traffic 46 hours per year on average – twice as long as you guys in the United States.

An in-depth study that included analysis of traffic congestion in European and U. S. cities uncovered that UK roads are at their busiest during Monday morning rush hour, crammed with workers en route to the office. By comparison, American roads are most congested on a Friday evening, as U. S. drivers eagerly anticipate that TGIF moment.

Commenting on the findings, INRIX Europe general manager, Hans Puvogel said, Despite drivers spending nearly twice the amount of time stuck in traffic compared to Americans, traffic in the countrys largest cities is much worse than those in the UK. While traffic jams still clog the roads in cities like London and Birmingham, it shows the UK is doing a much better job managing traffic congestion in its major urban centers than its US counterparts. Fortunately, whichever side of the pond you find yourself, there are ways in which commuters can reduce travel time, both in the short term and for the future.

Trend UK USA Worst traffic day Wednesday Thursday Best traffic day Friday Monday Best traffic hour Friday 6-7 AM Friday 6-7 AM Worst traffic hour Monday 8-9 AMFriday 5-6 PM What, of course, this doesnt take into account is regional and seasonal variations: I live 130 miles from Heathrow, a regular destination for flights to Europe and beyond. For a Noon check-in I would have to leave at 9. 00 am – just in case theres a bottle neck in Oxford or on the motorway links. Unless, that is the kids are on holiday from school in which case I could leave an hour later. Oh, and a Friday night landing in the early evening could take anywhere between two and three-plus hours.

Puvogel makes the naïve suggestions of, Look for alternative routes, often, slightly longer journeys can be quicker in peak travel times if they avoid popular roads or junctions. Drivers generally opt for the shortest option so planning around that can help. National schemes such as car sharing help to reduce the number of cars on the roads and ultimately reduce the volume of traffic. Unfortunately, most commuters still travel alone.

Trouble is, alternative routes quickly turn into rat runs and as far as car sharing – hasnt he ever seen Rutger Hauer in The Hitcher?