Why Do Freeways Come To A Stop?

It happens to most drivers a few times a year. You’re sailing along on the freeway when you’re forced to come to a stop, or at least a crawl. You can’t see why things are slowing around the bend – and when you get there, traffic is moving better.

Traffic planners call this a “shockwave.”

Here’s how it happens:

1. Traffic is rolling along at 60 mph when someone slows to 50 mph. In this example, the driver in Car B does so to avoid hitting Car A, whose driver swerves at the last second to exit. 
2. The next driver slows to 45 mph to maintain a safe distance from cars A and B.
3. Drivers farther back see the brake lights and begin slowing down.
4. The pattern continues, and more drivers apply their brakes until traffic comes to a crawl. By the time the rear of the jam catches up to where the shockwave began, the offending parties are long gone and there is no sign of what caused the problem.

These are the culprits who cause early morning traffic congestions at all the major roads. Traffic cams should look out for these inconsiderate drivers and take down their vehicle numbers. If they do it too often, they should fine them, charge them for it and deduct the fine at the next toll booth or ERP gantry!