Anticipates Heavy Traffic Congestion Over Ascension Day Weekend, According to ADAC - Anticipated Road Congestion Over Ascension Weekend as Per ADAC
Ascension Weekend to Bring Heavier-Than-Usual Traffic Congestion in North Rhine-Westphalia
Drivers in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, are advised to prepare for prolonged traffic delays and jams during the forthcoming long Ascension weekend due to a high volume of holiday traffic and ongoing construction works, particularly in and around Cologne.
According to the ADAC, last year's Ascension eve was one of the ten most congested days of the year, with 779 hours of traffic jams recorded. The resurgence of short vacations combined with numerous construction sites is expected to result in significant traffic congestion, especially on Wednesday, between 13:00 and 19:00, as commuters and short vacationers take to the roads simultaneously.
The traffic-laden Cologne region and the Ruhr area, with over 700 ongoing construction sites slowing down traffic flow, remain major concerns for ADAC North Rhine's traffic and environment department head, Roman Suthold. He expects these areas to be inundated with traffic, owing to the high volume of travelers and constructions sites.
Those who opt to travel in the evenings or on Thursday are more likely to reach their destinations faster and more smoothly, as traffic is predicted to subside during these periods. Sunday afternoon will see return traffic, which, albeit congested, will reportedly experience fewer jams, owing to the absence of rush-hour commuters.
ADAC advises avoiding detours via country roads to avoid traffic congestion, as these alternate routes can quickly become gridlocked as well. Motorists should only consider such detours for traffic jams exceeding ten kilometers or if the highway is completely closed.
Timely traffic updates are invaluable during peak travel seasons, and drivers are encouraged to utilize resources like the ADAC website or Waze for real-time traffic information. Leaving early in the morning or late in the evening, avoiding construction sites, and staying informed via local radio stations or GPS devices are other suggested strategies for navigating through congested roads during the Ascension weekend.
In light of the heavy traffic expected during Ascension Weekend in North Rhine-Westphalia, it is essential for drivers to bank on employment policies that allow flexible working hours, enabling them to hit the road either early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid rush hours. Furthermore, adopting a lifestyle that prioritizes travel updates, whether through websites, apps like Waze, or local radio stations, could significantly reduce stress and time spent in traffic jams.
