Congestion

Driving to work and back again; this seems to be a national pastime. Each morning and each evening on weekdays, different radionetworks are broadcasting a long list of congested highways. It has grown into something of an industry in its own right. Depending on where you are its either a depressing, or a feel-good list. You feel really good when you're (still) at home and made aware of just how miserable you would be, if you would have been on the road right that moment. It's also a lot of time wasted. Politicians for years are debating solutions to this problem. Usually they come down to three options. First one is reintroducing a toll system on the most congested highways. The second one is building more highways. Third one is make everybody take public transport to work. Government seems to be opting for the first option, but apart from government, nobody is really enthusiastic about it. The second option is the favorite of the regular driver. Its difficult to realize this, because none of these drivers wants a highway in his backyard. The third option is a non-option because Dutch trains are even more overcrowded than the highways. Very likely, the problem is going to outlast the traveler. Until we all run out of gas, that is.