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If it feels as if you are spending a lot of time stuck in Miami traffic, your perceptions are accurate. A recent report from INRIX ranked Miami as having the fifth-worst traffic of all U.S. cities and the 10th-worst in the world. Miami drivers spent 64 hours on congested roads in 2017. According to the report, that translates to 9 percent of driving time spent waiting in traffic.
According to INRIX, this congestion cost U.S. drivers almost $305 billion in 2017. The average American driver pays $1,445 because of increased traffic. Those costs include the amount of time and fuel traffic wastes, as well as indirect costs of idling freight and business vehicles that companies pass on to consumers.
Which Cities Have Worse Traffic Than Miami?
Globally, only nine cities in the world have worse traffic than Miami:
- Los Angeles, CA;
- Moscow, Russia;
- New York City, NY;
- São Paulo, Brazil;
- San Francisco, CA;
- Bogotá, Colombia;
- London, UK;
- Atlanta, GA; and
- Paris, France.
Why Is Our Traffic Congested?
INRIX blames U.S. highway congestion on several factors. Americans are driving more miles a year. Though more drivers are on the roads and are traveling more miles than ever, our road infrastructure has not kept pace. That means many roads can no longer support the number of drivers that travel them daily.
Because our vehicles are now more fuel-efficient, gas taxes have lost their value. That decrease in spending power, combined with inflationary pressure, has taken a toll on traditional sources of funding for highway construction and maintenance. Because American metropolitan areas tend to cover a larger geographic footprint than European cities, public transportation is seldom a viable alternative to driving a personal vehicle.
A recent Miami New Times article blames the worsening of our congestion on a lack of urban planning that would improve public transportation in areas with the densest population. As the city’s population continues to grow, these traffic problems are likely to continue.
Why Does Traffic Congestion Matter?
Being stuck in a traffic jam is not only an unpleasant experience, it can also lead to road rage, unsafe driving, and more car accidents.
People tend to tailgate in traffic, following too closely behind the vehicle in front of them. This can increase the chances of a rear-end collision. People may also look at their cell phones or engage in other distractions when stuck in stop-and-go traffic. They may make a call and let someone know they will be late, pull up a navigation app to search for an alternate route, or check their emails and social media while they wait. This can lead to a distracted driving crash if traffic begins to move unexpectedly.
What If I Was in a Traffic Accident?
If you were in an auto accident someone else caused, you may qualify for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. The Montero Law Center can help you navigate the process to get a fair settlement. Call our team at 954-767-6500 for a free case evaluation.
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