Al-Yaum

Congestion is a problem present in all major cities of the world, a problem that has become a source of concern for many. It is one of the causes of anxiety, tension and anger, all of which may lead to the spread of modern illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, especially if one is under pressure on a daily basis.

Some of us are reluctant to go shopping because of the traffic. The situation is dire during holidays, such as Ramadan and at other times of the year.

We spend 300 to 1,000 hours in our cars a year. These figures do not include the time we wait at traffic lights. The distance we travel by car during our lifetimes could total over 1 million kilometers, which is equal to driving to the moon three times.

The problem is exacerbated each year due to the increase in the population and, therefore, in the number of cars. There needs to be solutions and plans that deal with this issue. The solutions could be diverse. We could introduce different forms of public transport, such as metros and buses. This would help considerably. We could also encourage private companies to run small buses on key routes that are affordable.

Another solution would be to allocate special routes for those who carry more than one person in a car. This would certainly reduce the number of cars on the road.

I also propose the idea of eliminating traffic islands in the middle of streets to allow more lanes to be built that could be allocated to buses, especially on crowded roads. We could also have a park and ride system in which cars could be parked outside downtown areas and people could catch a bus to take them there.

At the individual level, avoiding peak times is the simplest solution. Plan your shopping. A healthy option would be to encourage people to use bicycles, especially the young, during times of the year when the temperature is mild. Young people are always looking for new things and bikes could become a trend.

I have some suggestions for people who frequently end up in traffic jams. Why not listen to educational lectures. We spend thousands of hours in our cars, which is enough time to learn a new language or read and listen to hundreds of audio books. Perhaps, our cars could become mobile classrooms. Finally, if you are in the middle of a jam then honking your horn will not change anything.