Ars Technica: Cell phone tracking system reveals how traffic jams start

[JREwing78]

"By tracking the cell records, they found [in Boston] that it's just a small number of drivers from a small number of neighborhoods who are responsible for tying up the key roads. Specifically, they identified 15 census tracts (out of the 750 in Greater Boston) located in Everett, Marlborough, Lawrence, Lowell, and Waltham as the heart of the problem, because drivers from those areas make particularly intensive use of the problematic roads in the system."

Cell phone tracking system reveals how traffic jams start
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/02/cell-phone-tracking-system-reveals-how-traffic-jams-start/

[Alps]

In other words... certain people are slow drivers

[cpzilliacus]

In other words... certain people are slow drivers

Best.  AAROADS post. Of 2013 (so far).

[agentsteel53]

now can we start pulling over idiots for stupid driving?

[jeffandnicole]

So by looking at the image contained within the story, most cell phone calls are tracked in the downtown city area, where a lot of people are located. Next is along the highways, where people are traveling.

I am completely amazed. 

[Brandon]

In other words... certain people are slow drivers

Or they're easily entertained by a rolled over semi in the other lanes.

[Crazy Volvo Guy]

Or they're easily entertained by a rolled over semi in the other lanes.

Don't you know?  It's federally mandated that when you see an accident on the other side, you have to slow down, look, pick your nose, scratch your ass, sniff your finger, look again, scratch your ass again, sniff your finger again, then come to a complete stop, look again...THEN go!

[kphoger]

Or they're easily entertained by a rolled over semi in the other lanes.

Don't you know?  It's federally mandated that when you see an accident on the other side, you have to slow down, look, pick your nose, scratch your ass, sniff your finger, look again, scratch your ass again, sniff your finger again, then come to a complete stop, look again...THEN go!

You forgot the requirement that all of it be done from the left lane.

[theline]

The view is so much better from the left lane. You can see the carnage up close.

[jeffandnicole]

I'm not sure what you're complaining about.  If you see the issue, and you know why everyone is slowing down, then aren't you part the problem by looking yourself? 

The correct way to say this is "Traffic suddenly stops for no apparent reason, then starts up again.  I wonder what the problem was".

Me - if I'm forced to sit in traffic approaching the accident scene, it better well still be there when I get there!

[Sykotyk]

There's a difference between knowing what is going on around you, and gawking at an accident hoping to find the dismembered body part.

[hm insulators]

Or they're easily entertained by a rolled over semi in the other lanes.

Don't you know?  It's federally mandated that when you see an accident on the other side, you have to slow down, look, pick your nose, scratch your ass, sniff your finger, look again, scratch your ass again, sniff your finger again, then come to a complete stop, look again...THEN go!

[hm insulators]

The view is so much better from the left lane. You can see the carnage up close.

Down through the years of driving in Los Angeles (where even somebody simply getting a ticket can back up traffic on the freeway for miles), I've used to joke disdainfully about the people slowing down because they just have to gawk at the accident: "Wow, look at that accident! Hey, slow down, I think there's a left arm dangling atop the sound wall. Ooh wow, isn't that somebody's head rolling around in the Number 3 lane?"