Traffic Jam on Gowanus Causes MTA Delays Wednesday Morning

STATEN ISLAND, NY- SILIVE.com reports that MTA buses were experiencing delays on Wednesday morning during rush hour. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is also experiencing delays in the eastbound lanes on the bridge’s lower level.

A crash took place on the lower level early on Wednesday. The crash has since been cleared.

Delays on the Gowanus Expressway are the result of a three-vehicle collision that caused the HOV lane to shut down. A crash in the eastbound lanes was reported at about 5:30 a.m.

Traffic jams are common during rush hour commutes. These delays are predictable and rush hour can often last for several hours. When traffic congestion occurs, the chance for accidents increases. When accidents happen they, in turn, increase traffic congestion and cause further delays.

It is important for drivers to remember to stay alert while on their morning commutes. The drive might be tedious and repetitive, but distracted driving and drowsy driving both create major risks to everyone on the road.

Distracted driving has become a greater problem in recent years, especially because of the prevalence of smartphones. Texting and driving, or checking emails, or any other activity on a smartphone takes a driver’s focus away from the road. When drivers stop watching the road in front of them, it is easy to fail to notice that traffic has slowed down. This can lead to a common rear-end crash.

While vehicle technology is developing to avoid these types of crashes, drivers are still ultimately responsible for responsibly operating their vehicles. While stop and go traffic might be slow and frustrating, getting into a crash is worse.