Why November is the worst congestion month – and not December or January

Rain, fog and wet leaves?

Anyone who sometimes gets in the car in November knows: it is sometimes jammed everywhere. As if all of the Netherlands suddenly decides to hit the road at the same time. But why are there so many traffic jams precisely in November, and not, say, December or January?

The answer, according to ANWB, lies in a combination of factors – the weather, the light (or rather the lack thereof), and our work behavior. The real autumn weather begins in November. The roads are wet, leaves make them slippery and rain showers alternate. As a result, people drive more carefully, which in itself makes sense, but it does cause delays. Add in some accidents or breakdowns, and traffic jams are born.

Darker, darker, darkest

November is the first time it gets really dark when people hit the roads en masse. Driving in the dark requires more concentration, which means we slow down more often. Moreover, in the morning rush hour you often see fog banks or low-hanging clouds, so everyone drives even more quietly. That sounds safe – and it is – but it does make for a slower traffic rhythm.

No days off

But okay, December and January are also dark, cold and wet. But the biggest difference from December and January? In November, everyone just works. No vacations, no holidays, no extended weekends. So that means full roads with commuting traffic. In December, the crowds actually decrease because many people take days off or stay home around the holidays and Christmas break.

What can you do?

Completely escaping the November traffic jam won’t work, but you can make it a little more bearable. Before you leave, check the traffic situation, try to avoid rush hour, or – if you have the opportunity – choose to work from home for a day. And then try to work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays. According to the ANWB, Tuesdays and Thursdays are still the busiest days on the road. Fridays are noticeably quieter, probably because many people work from home part of that day or start the weekend early.

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