As of: February 8, 2024, 9:30 a.m
By: Sebastian Oppenheimer
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In 2023, more patience was required again on the motorway: the ADAC counted 427,000 hours of traffic jams.
A significant increase compared to the previous year.
In addition to accidents, breakdowns and being caught speeding, a long motorway traffic jam is probably one of the things that drivers fear most.
As an analysis by the
ADAC
shows, German drivers spent significantly more time in traffic jams compared to the previous year.
While there were around 330,000 hours of traffic jams in 2022, the time spent in traffic jams in 2023 totaled 427,000 hours.
Nevertheless, the duration of traffic jams remained below the pre-Corona year 2019 (521,000 traffic jam hours).
But: Where were the longest traffic jams last year - and which days were the busiest?
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More time in traffic jams on the motorways – which is why, according to the ADAC
According to the ADAC, one of the reasons why traffic jams have increased so significantly is that many companies are now working less in the home office and are increasingly working in person.
According to the experts, this is indicated by the increase in traffic jam peaks in the morning and afternoon.
There is no positive effect of the 49 euro ticket in terms of traffic volume and congestion.
The ticket is not attractive everywhere: for example in rural regions.
And for many drivers, the train is not an alternative with its “chronic delays and cancellations”.
Record days: When were there the most hours of traffic jams in 2023?
According to ADAC, the following days were the most congested days in Germany in 2023:
2,400 hours of traffic jams: September 29th (Friday before the long weekend with German Unity Day)
2,300 hours of traffic jams: May 26th (Friday before Pentecost weekend)
2,250 hours of traffic jams: May 17th (Wednesday, day before Ascension Day)
2,250 hours of traffic jams: October 27th (Friday before Reformation Day and the autumn holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg)
2,250 hours of traffic jams: December 5th (Tuesday, onset of winter)
More than 50 kilometers: The 2023 traffic jam records
In total, the automobile club counted 691 traffic jams with a length of more than 20 kilometers.
The three longest traffic jams last year were:
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There were
56 kilometers of traffic jams on Friday, January 20th on the A61 Mönchengladbach - Ludwigshafen between AS Miel and triangle Nahetal - the reason was the onset of winter.
There were
54 kilometers of traffic jams on the A4 on May 30th (Tuesday after the Pentecost weekend).
Görlitz – Dresden between Ludwigsdorf (border crossing) and AS Wilsdruff.
There were 48 kilometers of traffic jams
on May 21st (Sunday after Ascension Day) on the A24 Schwerin - Berliner Ring between AS Pritzwalk and AS Kremmen.
Getting off the motorway in a traffic jam: When is it worth it?
If you're wondering whether you should get off the motorway in a traffic jam: According to the ADAC experts, it's rarely worth it, especially in smaller traffic jams during rush hour.
However, if there are full closures, you should “get down” as quickly as possible: otherwise you could end up stuck in a traffic jam for several hours.
In the case of typical holiday traffic jams, it only makes sense to leave if you have information about the situation on alternative routes - otherwise you'll be stuck in a traffic jam there again.
It is particularly important to create an emergency lane as soon as traffic comes to a standstill.
And: Even if everything is at a standstill, getting out on the motorway is prohibited.
But what do you do if you urgently need to go to the toilet?
The
Auto Club Europa (ACE)
advises taking so-called “emergency toilets” or “pocket toilets” with you on longer journeys.
In 2023, Germans will be stuck in traffic jams for significantly longer than in the previous year.
(Symbolic image) © Moritz Frankenberg/dpa
Traffic jam situation in 2024: According to ADAC, the prospects are not good
Finally, the bad news for all drivers: The ADAC traffic experts expect increasing traffic volumes and more traffic jams in 2024.
People are particularly concerned about the dilapidated condition of thousands of motorway bridges.
More than 4,000 bridges would have to be replaced with new ones in a timely manner in the coming years.
If this is not complied with, long-lasting complete closures will result.