Is New Jersey's Traffic Truly the Worst in the Nation?
New Jersey has gained a notorious reputation for its traffic congestion. According to a recent study conducted by WalletHub, the state was ranked as having the worst traffic in the nation.
The study analyzed various factors to determine the rankings, including the duration of time drivers spend in traffic, the frequency of accidents, and the severity of congestion. Unfortunately, New Jersey performed poorly in all of these categories.
For instance, drivers in New Jersey spend an average of 97 hours per year stuck in traffic, exceeding the national average by over 20 hours annually. The state also experiences a high number of accidents, with an average of 4.5 accidents occurring per 100,000 miles driven.
Several factors contribute to New Jersey's challenging traffic conditions. Firstly, the state's population density is remarkably high, making it the most densely populated state in the nation with over 1,200 people per square mile. Consequently, the roads become congested due to the sheer number of vehicles on them.
Additionally, New Jersey's infrastructure has been a contributing factor to its traffic woes. Many of the roads in the state are aging and require repair. This leads to traffic congestion as drivers slow down to navigate potholes and other hazards.
Furthermore, New Jersey's geographical location plays a role in exacerbating traffic problems. Situated between New York City and Philadelphia, two of the largest cities in the United States, New Jersey becomes a corridor for significant traffic flow, resulting in increased congestion.
The detrimental consequences of heavy traffic in New Jersey are manifold. It leads to heightened pollution levels, reduced productivity, and heightened stress levels among individuals. Furthermore, it hampers punctuality for work, school, and appointments.
According to Wallet Hub, here is the list of states with the best traffic:
Iowa
Georgia
Ohio
Oklahoma
Utah
Indiana
Nebraska
Missouri
Minnesota
These states were ranked based on a number of factors, including the quality of roads, bridges, public transportation, and traffic management.
