- Over the summer holiday period, ADAC recorded a traffic volume of 6,285.
During the summer holidays in Baden-Württemberg, individuals navigating German highways might experience traffic congestion at some point. According to the Automobile Club (ADAC), there were 6,285 such situations from July 26 to September 8, marking a rise of over 10% compared to the previous year. This translated into a massive 7,055 hours of delayed or slow-moving traffic, with traffic jams spanning an astounding 13,400 kilometers.
Holger Bach, head of the traffic and environment department at ADAC Württemberg, commented on this matter, stating, "Baden-Württemberg, acting as a transit nation and holiday destination, is witnessing a surge in travel-related congestion during holiday seasons." construction sites significantly contribute to this increase in traffic jams. During the summer holidays, the country reported almost 60 such incidents, as per earlier ADAC reports.
The Friday before the final holiday weekend was reportedly the most notorious day in Baden-Württemberg, with traffic at a standstill for a staggering 235 hours. Interestingly, the longest traffic jam, stretching 30 kilometers, was documented on August 18 on the A5, between Freiburg-Süd and Offenburg. The A8 emerged as the most congested highway in the southwest, with 2,144 hours of traffic jams, followed closely by the A5 (1,995 hours) and the A6 (1,346 hours).
ADAC gathers data on traffic jams using navigation devices and smartphone apps. They categorize a traffic disruption when the average speed of multiple vehicles on a road section of at least 300 meters falls below 30% of the maximum speed limit for more than 10 minutes. In cases where the speed falls between 40 and 20 kilometers per hour, ADAC deems it slow-moving traffic. When vehicles move slower than that, it is classified as a traffic jam. Each disruption is only recorded once.
Other regions in Germany might also see an increase in traffic congestion during holiday seasons, echoing Baden-Württemberg's situation. Addressing this issue, local authorities could consider implementing alternative transportation options or encouraging carpooling to decrease the number of vehicles on the road.
