TomTom’s annual global traffic report is in, and there’s still plenty to grumble about. Spoiler alert: in France, Bordeaux has overtaken Paris in terms of time spent crawling along, and it’s not looking like it will improve anytime soon. Buckle up (or maybe don’t, considering the pace), and let’s delve into the details.
Bordeaux Takes the Slowdown Crown
It seemed that Paris would forever be the gold medalist in traffic jams, but not this year. Bordeaux has taken the lead with an average speed of 19.3 km/h in 2024, requiring 31 minutes to travel 10 km. Paris was slightly better, taking 28 minutes and 53 seconds for the same distance, at a speed of 20.8 km/h. Who would have thought that a quick spin around the wine capital could be slower than a high-speed train ride from Paris to Marseille?
Lyon also felt the pinch. Its average speed dropped from 26.5 to 25.3 km/h. An extra minute for each 10 km can really increase the stress levels of already frazzled commuters. But then, Lyon’s traffic jams are famous worldwide, so that shouldn’t surprise anyone (and making that joke in 2025 should be banned, I await the authorities to come for me).
Olympics and a 50 km/h Limit: Paris Still Manages
In Paris, 2024 was a sporty year, but not for drivers. The construction for the Olympics and the speed limit of 50 km/h on the ring road didn’t help matters. However, there were no major shake-ups in the rankings: Bordeaux still leads Paris in the ranking of the most slowed-down French cities.
Anne Hidalgo, still looking for ways to smooth
traffic in the capital, can take some solace: there are worse places. Marseille, Nantes, and Nice also show similarly dismal speeds, ranging between 22 and 23 km/h. In short, all over France, the struggle is real.
Bordeaux: Still Top of the Charts
If you thought we were done with Bordeaux, think again. The city also wins the award for most time lost during peak hours: 113 hours on average per year for those traveling 10 km each morning and evening. In Paris, it’s slightly less severe at 101 hours, but at least Parisians have learned to live with it over the decades.
On a global scale, Bordeaux is still quite far from the worst offenders. Lima (in Peru) and Dublin (in Ireland) top the list with 155 hours of annual traffic misery. That might put things into perspective the next time you’re fuming in your car on Bordeaux’s well-known Pierre bridge.
Weather Adds to the Chaos
Let’s talk about the weather because yes, it plays a crucial role in this mess. Last November, Nantes hit a record congestion level (92%) during storm Caetano. That day, it took 37 minutes to cover a mere 10 kilometers. It wasn’t any better in Bordeaux (again) during storm Nelson, where drivers spent 35 minutes crawling out of the city.
It turns out, storms are as effective as strikes at crippling traffic.
Why the Gridlock?
Between static factors (like road width or the number of intersections) and dynamic factors (weather, accidents, strikes), there are plenty of reasons for congestion. Consider peak-hour home-to-work commutes: a classic. Add to that construction, speed limits, or an unexpected protest, and there goes your day before it even started.
TomTom’s experts also highlight the increase in deliveries due to e-commerce. Yes, your Amazon package doesn’t teleport to your doorstep. Result: even more trucks on the road, and less patience for everyone else.
Any Solutions? Not Yet
Ralf-Peter Schäfer, Vice President of Traffic at TomTom, is blunt: without modern infrastructure and alternative transport options, we’re in trouble. He advocates for better urban planning and investments to prevent cities from becoming gigantic open-air parking lots.
But for now, we continue to juggle 30 km/h zones, bike lanes, and endless traffic jams. We’re not done grumbling, even in Paris where cars are becoming an endangered species.
So there you have it, Bordeaux wins the traffic jam crown in 2024, but other cities are not far behind. Whether it’s due to the Olympics, storms, or outdated infrastructure, traffic jams are now part of our daily lives. Next time you’re stuck on the Paris ring road, think of the folks in Bordeaux, or better yet, the poor souls in Lima stuck in their cars. You can see the full ranking here.