Researchers Attempt to Explain Those Omnipresent Highway Slowdowns

Scientists have determined the problem with random traffic stoppages along the nation’s highways is due to driver error. Not surprisingly, many people over-react to the brake lights in front of them and slow down far more than the situation requires when a genuine problem occurs further up the road.

This has a wave effect that can reach back miles from the original disturbance and it often leaves drivers scratching their heads as to the cause of the slowdown. The whole problem could be avoided if drivers paid more attention to the road ahead of their cars and had fewer distractions. That would allow everyone to react more quickly and hopefully reduce the over-reactions that come from looking up after popping in a CD and locking up the brakes to prevent an accident because you had your eyes off the road for 20 seconds.

+ Physorg.com: Traffic jam mystery solved by mathematicians (via Motive)