Traffic jams on the motorway: fast traffic is not in the overtaking lane, but rather in the driving lane - Automotive information magazine "Best Car"

2024-05-04 01:00:00

When driving on a congested highway and want to move forward even a little, many people will drive in the passing lane if there are two or more lanes. There are fewer trucks with lower speed limits than passenger cars, and many drivers want to drive faster, so the passing lane is usually faster. Additionally, there are rarely any merge or exit lanes on the passing lane side, so they are less likely to be obstructed.

However, when traffic is congested, traffic can actually flow more quickly in the travel lane.

Text: Production M3
Featured image: Adobe Stock_Ichiro
Photo: Adobe Stock, PhotoAC

Many cars converge on the passing lane, which obstructs traffic.

It’s the same thing to think about on a congested highway. In order to pass as quickly as possible, many drivers tend to choose the passing lane, but according to a university professor who studies traffic jams, this causes more cars to gather in the passing lane than in the left lane. . worse in passing lanes.

There are a lot of cars in the left lane with slower vehicle speeds, and there are also merges and exits, so it feels like the flow is low, but when the traffic volume is large , density increases and flow becomes low, and traffic jams are more likely to occur (or it seems that traffic jams tend to get worse).

The same goes for tolls: for example, even if there are two lanes in front of the toll booth, there are often four or five toll booths, but in this case the cars concentrate in the lane where they can pass directly . choosing doors on both sides tends to get you there faster. You may have to rejoin the train after passing the toll booth, but it’s a good idea to hurry.

When traffic is congested, cars tend to congregate in the passing lane (PHOTO: Adobe Stock_show999)

At toll gates, cars tend to concentrate in the lane where they can pass directly, so choosing the barriers on either side tends to be quicker (PHOTO: Adobe Stock_BSDC)

If you queue with many trucks and buses at the toll booth, you may be able to get through quickly.

When it comes to tolls, people tend to avoid lines of large trucks and express buses because they reduce visibility, but one of these large vehicles can hold up to two or even three regular passenger cars. There are different lengths. If the length of the vehicle line is simply the same, there will be fewer cars along that length, so it will move faster, and even when merging after passing the toll booth, the cars will merge one by one. Scenes tend to pass quickly.

Additionally, these large trucks and buses are used to traveling on highways, so they merge smoothly after passing the toll booth, so they are less likely to have problems. When it comes to congestion at toll booths, choosing a line with many large trucks or buses can increase your chances of getting through quickly.

If you queue with many trucks and buses at the toll booth, you might be able to get through faster!? (PHOTO: Adobe Stock_BSDC)

When in traffic jams, be aware of the appropriate distance between vehicles.

During traffic jams, some drivers tend to reduce the distance between vehicles to avoid being cut off. However, maintaining too short a distance from the vehicle in front not only causes problems and collisions, but also problems in traffic jams. lead to further deterioration. Particularly in traffic jams where people are constantly moving at low speed, maintaining a certain distance between vehicles (e.g. 4 to 5 meters), small variations in vehicle speed relative to the vehicle in front can be absorbed by the distance, which is then transmitted to the vehicle. the following vehicle. It gets difficult.

However, it is also not a good idea to leave too much distance between vehicles. According to the JAF, if you leave too much space between vehicles, those behind you will tend to close the gap between them, causing further traffic jams. When driving in traffic jams or at the end of traffic jams, you should be sure to turn on your hazard lights, brake and maintain an appropriate distance between vehicles.

Leaving too close a distance between vehicles in traffic jams not only causes accidents and problems, but also makes traffic jams worse (PHOTO: Adobe Stock_show999)