Stranded Hamburg Motorists Lose 44 Hours in Traffic Jam
In 2024, drivers in Hamburg endured an average of 44 hours of traffic congestion, marking a one-hour increase compared to the previous year. This data comes from annual traffic studies conducted by Inrix and TomTom.
According to the INRIX Traffic Scorecard, Hamburg ranks ninth in a nationwide comparison of congestion levels. Düsseldorf recorded the highest average time in traffic with 60 hours, followed by Berlin and Stuttgart, each with 58 hours. Conversely, the TomTom Traffic Index places Hamburg fifth, indicating a longer commute for drivers in the city.
While congestion levels have increased, they still remain lower than pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, Pendlern (commuters) allegedly spent an average of 48 hours in traffic,as per Inrix data. Hamburg's traffic authority sees public transportation and cycling as effective measures to improve traffic flow in the city.
Environmental activists call for a strengthened expansion of alternatives to personal car usage. One such suggestion is the construction of a second rail crossing over the Elbe, rather than building the A26-Ost motorway, which would reportedly lead to more car traffic in the city, as per Sabine Sommer, Landessprachthaberin for the BUND (Federal Agency for Nature Conservation).
January 29, 2024, was the most congested day of the year. Traffic was significantly disrupted by agricultural protests involving around 550 tractors. The average detour time in the city center was estimated to have increased by 74 percent, according to TomTom data. For a ten-kilometer stretch, drivers needed approximately 33 minutes more.
Annika Eifert, a journalist born in 1999, has found numerous fluids spilling onto her laptop, including coffee, fruit tea, and nail polish remover. After studying Communication Science and Management in Erfurt and managing the non-profit online magazine "UNGLEICH," which promotes quality of life in the east, she joined the Social Media team at "OMR 5050" in Hamburg. She refers to herself as a "TikTok Victim" and is known for keeping up with the latest trends. The amount of screen time she uses remains her secret. Her laptop remains constantly at risk and, therefore, well-insured. Kürzel: ika
- "In the field of general news, an increase in accidents involving cars was reported in Hamburg, attributable to the longer hours spent on the road due to traffic congestion."
- "Finance experts have highlighted the potential impact of increased car-accidents on insurance industry, considering Hamburg's growing traffic congestion levels."
- "Despite growing concerns about traffic congestion in transportation, environmental activists have continued to advocate for investments in automotive alternatives like public transportation and cycling."
