Latest report shows even with drop in traffic, delays cost drivers 70 hours in 2007
ORANGE – With gas prices soaring in 2007 and the recession taking a toll soon after, drivers in the Los Angeles/Orange County region have seen a slight relief on congested roads.
A 2009 Urban Mobility Report shows that each driver spent two hours less sitting behind the wheel of their car during 2007 compared to the previous year. These changes represent the first break in traffic growth in 25 years.
Even with a decrease in traffic, the region remains the No. 1 congested area in the United States, followed by Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Delays from traffic cost travelers $1,500 in the Los Angeles/Orange County area and 53 gallons of extra fuel during 2007.
"We are seeing a decline in traffic on our roads, but we expect the opposite when the economy rebounds," said Peter Buffa, chairman of the Orange County Transportation Authority. "Public transportation gives commuters badly needed relief from traffic while saving them money and cutting down on carbon emissions. It's also critical that we continue to improve our freeways to reduce gridlock"
Public transportation continues to be a leading choice for commuters, saving 398 million gallons of gasoline and 646 million hours of travel time in 2007.
According to the national report card, without public transportation, traffic costs would have risen 16 percent, adding an additional $13.7 billion since 2005.
