Why Does the Highway Get Congested?
4 Answers
Highway congestion can be attributed to several reasons: 1. Free passage during holidays greatly stimulates car owners' enthusiasm for self-driving trips, leading to overcrowding on highways; 2. Traffic accidents on the highway cause vehicles to be unable to pass; 3. Road construction on certain sections of the highway. China has numerous highway toll stations, and even if all toll stations are open for free during holidays, the narrow passageways at toll stations inevitably lead to reduced vehicle speeds. The slowdown of one or a few vehicles may not cause issues, but if multiple vehicles continuously slow down to pass simultaneously, it will inevitably reduce the overall traffic flow efficiency, resulting in congestion.
I often drive on highways and find that the main cause of traffic jams is the sheer volume of vehicles, especially during rush hours in the morning and evening or on holidays. The road is packed with cars, and once a vehicle in front slows down or a large truck occupies the lane, the cars behind have to brake, creating a chain reaction that leads to a complete standstill. Toll booths and entry/exit points also become bottlenecks, often causing long queues. My suggestion is to check real-time traffic conditions using a navigation app before heading out to avoid peak congestion times; keep some snacks and music in the car to ease the frustration of being stuck in traffic. Safety comes first—drive patiently and avoid tailgating.
Last time I encountered a traffic jam on the highway due to a rear-end collision ahead. A small car hit the guardrail, and after the emergency lane was occupied, the following vehicles slowed down to rubberneck, resulting in a complete traffic paralysis for two hours. Such human-induced incidents not only waste time but also trigger more minor frictions. I've learned my lesson—I now focus intently while driving, avoid unnecessary lane changes or sudden braking, and immediately call for rescue when encountering an accident scene. I always keep bottled water and snacks in the car, so I don't panic when stuck. Preventing accidents is key to avoiding congestion.
In severe weather, highways are prone to traffic jams. From my experience, when it rains or there's fog, visibility becomes poor, and everyone slows down. With more cars on the road, the distance between vehicles increases, but speeds don't pick up, leading to congestion. On foggy days, visibility can drop to just a few meters, and it's common to see traffic backed up for kilometers. Before heading out, check the weather forecast and try to avoid driving in bad weather if possible. If you must go, use fog lights, maintain a steady speed, and avoid unnecessary overtaking. Arriving safely is more important than rushing.
