- Thronged sidewalks in North Rhine-Westphalia due to school resumption
As schools reopen, there's been a significant surge in vehicle activity on the roads in North Rhine-Westphalia. This has resulted in heavier traffic and longer waits on common commuter routes, as indicated by the ADAC. Crowds were particularly dense in the Cologne urban hub, near the Kaiserberg intersection in Duisburg and Oberhausen.
Motorways 1 and 3 experienced the most intense traffic, with motorists encountering hang-ups lasting over 20 minutes in the early morning.
Wednesdays are the most jammed
At 8:45 am, the ADAC documented traffic snarls in North Rhine-Westphalia stretching over 140 kilometers. "With the conclusion of the summer break, numerous individuals have to resume their work duties this week. This pattern has been evident since the start of the week," remarked an ADAC spokesperson. Hump-day is one of the busiest days of the week.
Despite it being Tuesday, the roads in North Rhine-Westphalia saw a considerable boost in activity compared to the summer vacation, with more congestion, particularly in the mornings and afternoons. The number of traffic jams soared by 18 percent compared to a typical Tuesday during the summer break, and the length also rose by an astonishing 38 percent. According to the ADAC, these numbers have now reverted back to pre-summer vacation levels.
The congestion in Cologne's urban hub was among the most severe, with motorists facing long delays at the Kaiserberg intersection. After a busy day on Motorways 1 and 3, many commuters might opt for the train to avoid the Cologne traffic.
