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World's Longest Traffic Jam: What Happened When Commuters Trapped For 12 Days
Traffic jams can turn a short commute into a stressful ordeal, wasting time and testing patience. The constant stop-and-go, honking horns, and endless delays make the experience frustrating for everyone on the road. Can you imagine being stuck in a jam for 12 days? This horrible incident happened in China in 2010. Read here to know all about it.
1. World's Longest Traffic Jam
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The world's longest traffic jam occurred in Beijing, China, on the Beijing-Tibet Expressway (China National Highway 110) on August 14, 2010. The jam stretched for about 100 kilometers and lasted for 12 days, making it the longest traffic jam in history.
2. Cause of the Jam
The traffic jam was primarily caused by a large number of trucks transporting coal and construction materials from Mongolia to Beijing. The expressway was under construction at the time, and due to ongoing work, the traffic was reduced to one lane, causing severe congestion.
3. People Stranded for 12 Days
People were stuck in their vehicles for 12 days, unable to move. They had to eat, drink, and sleep in their cars during this period, as the traffic barely moved, with vehicles covering only about 1 kilometer per day.
4. Temporary Shops and High Prices
Due to the prolonged jam, temporary shops were set up along the expressway, selling snacks, cold drinks, noodles, and other essentials. Prices skyrocketed, with water being sold at ten times the normal rate.
5. Efforts to Clear the Jam
The local administration took 12 days to clear the jam. They blocked all side roads leading to the expressway and prioritized removing the trucks that were causing the blockage.
6. End of the Traffic Jam
The massive traffic jam finally ended on August 26, 2010, after continuous efforts by the authorities to clear the vehicles and alleviate the congestion.
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