Traffic Congestion Anticipated Over Weekend: Suggestions for Motorists - Traffic congestions forewarned by ADAC: Precautions drivers can adopt to avoid delays
Baden-Württemberg braces for traffic congestion over Ascension Day weekend
The Automotive Club of Germany (ADAC) has warned of heavy traffic on roads in Baden-Württemberg during the upcoming Ascension Day long weekend. Holger Bach, head of the traffic and environment department, predicts that peak traffic hours will occur on Wednesday between 1 and 7 PM, as commuters and short holidaymakers share the roads. Last year's data showed that the day preceding Ascension Day was among the year's most congested days.
Construction sites are another potential cause of traffic congestion. According to Bach, lane closures due to construction work can lead to tailbacks, especially in the event of accidents or high traffic volumes. The following sites are currently under construction and could cause traffic jams:
- A5 Darmstadt-Heidelberg in both directions between Hemsbach and Hirschberg
- A5 Basel towards Karlsruhe between Rastatt-Nord and Karlsruhe Süd
- A6 Mannheim-Heilbronn in both directions between Kreuz Walldorf and Wiesloch/Rauenberg
- A7 Würzburg-Ulm in both directions between Feuchtwangen-West and Rastplatz Mühlbruck
- A8 Stuttgart-Karlsruhe in both directions between Pforzheim-Süd and Pforzheim-Nord
- A8/A81 at the Leonberg triangle
- A81 Singen-Stuttgart in both directions between Oberndorf am Neckar and Empfingen
The ADAC advises motorists to plan their trips accordingly, recommending those who can, to start their journeys on Wednesday evening or Thursday to mitigate congestion. Traffic on Baden-Württemberg's motorways is expected to be more manageable on Friday and Saturday. Sunday will see fewer traffic jams than a normal Sunday, but more than a typical weekday, due to the absence of commuters.
Bach cautions against leaving the motorway in the event of a traffic jam and driving on country roads as a detour, stating that alternative routes can quickly become congested as well. It is typically only advisable to leave the motorway in case of traffic jams longer than ten kilometers or in the case of a complete closure.
Germany may see increased border controls over the holiday period, according to the ADAC, so holidaymakers are advised to plan accordingly.
Last year, the ADAC registered 239 traffic jams on Baden-Württemberg's roads on the Wednesday before Ascension Day, amounting to a length of 896 kilometers and a waiting time of 272 hours.
References:[1] Traffic conditions during Ascension Day weekends in previous years may show varied results due to factors such as accidents, events, and unpredictable traffic patterns. For a comprehensive understanding, it is advisable to consult traffic reports or studies from specific years or local traffic authorities.
- Given the predicted traffic congestion in Baden-Württemberg during the Ascension Day weekend, collaboration within the community could help to promote environmentally friendly lifestyle choices such as carpooling, public transportation, cycling, or walking for holidays and leisure activities.
- To effectively address traffic congestion during the Ascension Day weekend, it is crucial for the community to have a policy in place that prioritizes alternative transport methods, such as aid to the environment and transportation infrastructure, in addition to micromanaging specific traffic hotspots.
