Did you know traffic jam can affect your health

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Dealing with heavy traffic does not only inconvenience people but can also cause harm in your body, several studies show that living with constant traffic congestion also has negative consequences on your health.

Urban areas experience a lot of vehicular congestion and traffic jams cost us millions of dollars every day through wasted time, environmental pollution, and increased stress.

Here are some of health consequences of traffic jam.

Stress


Long commutes eat up exercise time hence associated with higher weight, lower fitness levels, and higher blood pressure all strong predictors of heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Being exposed to the daily hassles of traffic can also lead to higher chronic stress.


One of the stress triggers while driving during a traffic jam is impatience having to wait for the traffic to move and dealing with the mistakes of other motorists on the road. If not  handled at the beginning, it can turn into resentment and anger.


Stress  can makes people vulnerable to other diseases and even depression.

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Air pollution

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Commuters who are exposed to air pollution, like those riding in non-airconditioned vehicles such as motorcycles, double their health risk.
Aside from stress, they are also exposed to pollutants that can affect the lungs.

Air pollution can also cause blood pressure to rise and inflame the arteries, increase of heart attack and stroke risk.

Lack of sleep


Night’s traffic can cause sleep deprivation especially to commuters who have to get up early the next day to avoid the morning rush and get to work on time. Sleep deprivation can also affect performance, attention, and long-term memory.


Moreover, lack of sleep can cause anxiety, exhaustion, frustration, impulsive behavior, lower immunity, and some mental health problems. It also encourages drug and alcohol use.

 A 2007 report by the Ministry of Roads and Public Works noted that while only 15.3% of commuters in Nairobi used private cars, they accounted for 36% of vehicles on the roads.

The report noted that 29% of commuters use matatus while 47% walked to work. Matatus accounted for 27% of the vehicles on the road.

The report also noted that 6.8% of commuters use public and private buses (accounting for 3% of vehicles on the road), 0.4% use railway, and 1.2% use bicycles and motorbikes.

Pick-ups accounted for 23% of the vehicles on the road.There were over 30,000 matatus in Nairobi last year.

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