New traffic data has shown that Brisbane has a significant issue with traffic congestion, with drivers losing an average of 74 hours annually due to delays. This ranks Brisbane as the most traffic-congested city in Australia, according to the 2023 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard. The city saw a 10% increase in hours lost compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing problem of traffic congestion.
In comparison to other Australian cities, Melbourne ranked second with 62 hours lost, followed by Sydney at 53 hours, Perth at 42 hours, the Gold Coast at 36 hours, and Newcastle at 32 hours. Brisbane was the only Australian city to make it into the top 20 most traffic-congested cities globally, coming in at 12th place ahead of cities like Dublin, Rome, and Bangkok.
The Royal Automotive Club of Queensland (RACQ) conducted a 2023 Congestion Survey, which identified the Pacific Motorway as the most congested road in the state, followed by the Bruce Highway and the Centenary Motorway. Dr. Michael Kane, the RACQ Head of Public Policy, emphasized the need for improvements to existing motorways and public transport corridors to address the congestion issues. He highlighted the importance of fixing bottlenecks, completing ongoing projects, and extending sections to improve traffic flow.
Ethan Cardinal, a La Trobe University Journalism graduate, recently joined Drive in 2023 after working as a freelance writer in the fashion industry. His passion for exploring the intersections between automotive, lifestyle, and culture drives his investigative reporting. Ethan is committed to uncovering the impact of cars on various industries and how they resonate with both casual readers and car enthusiasts. His unique perspective adds depth to his articles, offering readers a fresh take on the world of automobiles and beyond.