Get off your phones at traffic lights

A survey of 1,325 people found 63 per cent of people had witnessed mobile phone use at traffic lights, which slows down traffic flow and can also impact the synchronisation of traffic lights. Last year, over 216,000 fines for illegal phone use were issued across NSW.

The survey looked at a raft of factors causing road congestion and its impact on quality of life. Worryingly, in the lead-up to the busy Christmas shopping period the research found that 43 per cent have changed where they shop to avoid congestion. The research also found:

• 82% avoid traveling during peak hour periods to avoid congestion
• 50% are often running late; and
• 42% have changed where they eat out.

Congestion may also be a factor that could lead to social isolation with 34 per cent saying they have declined a social activity and stayed home and 27 per cent saying congestion makes it harder to participate in social activities.

Congestion is also affecting public transport - over one-third (36%) of people have caught a bus at least once a month with the majority (51%) reporting buses running late due to congestion.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said as the count-down to Christmas ramped up motorists should expect higher-than-usual congestion around shopping and entertainment precincts, parking stations and beaches.

“Traffic volumes have more than returned to pre-COVID levels and as people are frantically trying to get their Christmas shopping done it’s crucial we plan for trips to take longer,” Mr Khoury said.

“It is also obviously critical that we don’t add to these congestion woes – you would be hard-pressed to find anything on our roads as frustrating as a motorist sitting at traffic lights playing on their phone, seemingly oblivious to the impact they are having on traffic flow - this stupid behaviour must stop.”

The NRMA research has also highlighted the impact of congestion on local neighbourhoods with over two-thirds (68%) saying their local area was affected by congestion. Of these:

• 86% attributed to high vehicle volumes travelling through the area
• 47% due to poor road infrastructure
• 33% due to road construction; and
• 26% due to new housing developments.

As a result, 20 per cent have increased their use of public transport and 15 per cent have considered relocating to a new area with reduced congestion.

Following heavy rain across the state and continued road upgrades and maintenance the NRMA is also reminding motorists to adjust their driver behaviour when driving through roadwork zones.

Classified as Internal The NRMA research found almost 80 per cent (79%) of drivers who have driven through a roadwork zone in the last six months reduced their speed to the posted limit in roadwork zones. The factors that would ensure drivers obeyed the posted speed limit were:

• The presence of workers on the road (79%);
• The presence of workers behind barriers (65%);
• Visible police presence (62%); and
• Flashing amber lights (57%).

The research found that almost three-quarters (74%) were frustrated when speed limits were reduced at inactive roadworks sites, however 82 per cent of those would be less frustrated if they knew the causes for the reduced limits, such as concealed hazards or debris on the road.

“Many families will be travelling over the Christmas holidays and driving on roads that have endured heavy rain in recent weeks, which will result in large potholes – this means there will be road maintenance crews about fixing these roads,” Mr Khoury said.

“In addition, large infrastructure and maintenance projects continue to affect some of Sydney’s busiest roads, such as the Warringah Freeway. It is vital drivers adjust to the reduced speed limits and these speeds will be enforced during the Christmas and double-demerit period.”