What are the main causes of traffic congestion?

Question

From driving every day to work in Chicago. I found these to be the worst problems.
1. construction
2. trucks
3. women in the left lane
4. women on cell phones
5. women

Answer 1

The origin of all congestion is merging traffic. Instead of allowing merging traffic to blend in with the flow, the average driver in the flow turns it into a pride thing, and a "there's no way you're getting in front of me" thing. Now the merging car has to brake, slow down the flow behind him on the on-ramp, and instead of trying to merge at speed, they have to cut in at a slower speed. That in turn will slow down the flow of traffic, and now you have congestion. Just let people in and put the road rage ego down. :)

Answer 2

Firstly I'd like to ask you, what the basis of you statement/claim is?, why is it that "WOMEN" are the cause of traffic congestion?, because I personally find you claim very offensive and I strongly disagree with you. Traffic congestion can be cause by MANY things. such as;

1- too many cars for the roadway due to inadequate mass transit options or other reasons.

2- obstacles in the road causing a blockage and merger. These can be any of the following:

-Double parking
-Road work
-Lane closure due to utility work
-Road narrowing down
-An accident

3- traffic signals out of sync many times on purpose or occasionally when the computers are malfunctioning.

4- inadequate green time

5- too many pedestrians crossing not permitting cars to turn

6- too many trucks on the road due to inadequate rail freight opportunities

7- over-development in areas where the mass transit system is already overcrowded and the road system is inadequate.

And you might want to check out this website, http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=788126 - It's about, "Who Are Better Drivers: Men or Women?" After reading it you might get inspired to change/alter your claim. :))

Answer 3

Sure construction will affect congestion all the time, but otherwise it depends on the time of day...

1. Volume vs. Capacity = traffic during rush hour
2. Rubbernecking, staggering of trucks in multiple lanes

I find it hard to believe that people will blame traffic on women! All too often I've found that its the guys who are the bigger problem, reading newspapers in the car or driving aggressively (i.e. swerving across lanes, cutting people off, refusing to let people merge, tailgating)

Answer 4

I'll agree with some of the reasons, but I just blame it on too many people trying to go to the same place at the same time. I've seen some women that can and will drive better than I can. Not too many, but there are a few.

Answer 5

How about women putting on make-up while driving? This kind of nonesense needs to stop.
All your reasons are good. How about certain ethnic drivers. When I lived in the bay area, Asians were the worse. Especially Asian females. An accident waiting to happen. I don't think they realize they have a mirror in their car to see behind and to the side. They were clueless to what was around them. It is like that in Socal. also. They should designate a certain time for asian drivers to take the road.

Also anyone in the left lane not driving over 65 get out of the way!!!!!

Answer 6

They are really only 2 reasons for all the congestion.
1. Too much rubber
2. Not enough asphalt

Answer 7

Changing Lanes & Slow Drivers.

Answer 8

Do you think women have anything to do with the answer?

I'm just asking for your unbiased opinion.

Answer 9

1) rubber-necking
2) old folks

Answer 10

cars?