Fewer traffic jams thanks to economic crisis

The national traffic information service is reporting a dramatic fall in the number of traffic jams in March.

Compared to the same period last year, traffic jams fell by 33 percent. The service suggests that the main cause is the economic crisis; another factor is the drier weather this year. Figures for January, February and March show a consistent drop over the whole period of 18 percent on average. The downwards trend began in October 2008.

The traffic information service describes it as "spectacular" and unprecedented since Dutch traffic congestion statistics began in 2002.

The unit used in the statistics is "traffic jam pressure", which is calculated by multiplying the length and the duration for every individual traffic jam.