Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Sao Paulo: A city with 180km traffic jams



Next time you complain about being stuck in traffic, spare a thought for the drivers in Brazil's biggest city, which has some of the worst congestion problems in the world.
Friday evenings are a commuter's worst nightmare in Sao Paulo.
That's when all the tailbacks in and out of the city extend for a total of 180km (112 miles), on average, according to local traffic engineers, and as long as 295km (183 miles) on a really bad day.
Red brake lights stretch as far back as the eye can see, blinking repeatedly as drivers endure an exasperating stop-and-go journey, which can continue for hours.
"It's like a sea. A sea of cars," says Fabiana Crespo, as she slowly navigates the congested streets with her 10-month-old baby Rodrigo.
"For a long time I lived with my family in the south of Sao Paulo and worked on the other side of town.
"So when I got married, I decided to move to the north of the city to be close to the office, because commuting can make your life hell," she says.
"But after my first son was born I decided to go back to running the family business which is in my old neighbourhood. So I am back to the ordeal crossing the whole city to go to work."

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