We’ve all cursed our local traffic authorities as we are stuck behind the wheel of our cars in rush hour gridlock, but have you ever wondered how bad traffic jams are in other areas of the UK?
According to analysis from a motor insurance company, the greatest quantity of traffic jams has been discovered to be in Edinburgh, where motorists lose more time than in any other city.
The congestion rate was determined using data from the TomTom Congestion Index, by GoShorty a car insurance company.
Edinburgh's congestion level of 35 percent, higher even than London's, came in at number one in the UK. Data shows that 80 hours were lost in the Scottish city last year due to traffic jams.
London was discovered to be the second worst city in the UK for traffic, with a congestion level of 33 percent and 75 lost annual hours. Hull, Brighton & Hove, and Bournemouth completed the top five.
The GoShorty study said: “Edinburgh is the Scottish capital and the seventh-most populous city in the United Kingdom and also has the busiest roads. Throughout 2021, the city’s congestion level was 35%, which is a 3% increase on 2020, yet a 6% decrease on 2019. With the current rate continuing to increase, Edinburgh may retain the busiest roads in the UK.”
In addition to the UK, GoShorty discovered that Istanbul in Turkey has the world's highest congestion levels, with 142 hours lost annually and a congestion level of 62 percent. Mumbai and Bogota follow, with 126 and 121 hours wasted annually, respectively.
Italy was found to have the highest number of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) based on the research - 253 zones were found to have been implemented.
Top Five Congested Cities In The UK
|
Rank |
City |
Congestion Level |
Annual Hours Lost |
|
1 |
Edinburgh |
35% |
80 |
|
2 |
London |
33% |
75 |
|
3 |
Hull |
32% |
73 |
|
3 |
Brighton & Hove |
32% |
73 |
|
5 |
Bournemouth |
28% |
64 |