In many cities around the world, traffic is serious problem. What are the causes of this and what actions can be taken to improve the situation?

One of the most serious issues facing modern cities is

traffic

. Not only does it hinder movement, delaying commuters and costing businesses money, but those vehicles contribute to toxic fumes that are damaging our air quality. In

this

essay, I will discuss the causes

such

as the growing

population

and insufficient infrastructure which are driving the current

traffic

problems and suggest ways

such

as cheaper public transport and investments by governments to improve the situation.

Traffic

congestion is caused by two things. The first is simply the growing

population

. Clearly, as more and more people flock to urban areas, as they have been doing for decades now, more cars crowd the roads, and more

traffic

jams occur.

For example

, Melbourne which has seen the highest

population

increase in Australia is a classic example of a city now struggling to cope with the rise in vehicles. The other factor, somewhat related, is the insufficient infrastructure in many urban areas. Poor road maintenance, badly programmed

traffic

signals and a lack of public transport options all mean drivers spend longer stuck in

traffic

. There are,

however

, some options to alleviate the problems caused by heavy

traffic

. One is to improve public transport by making it cheaper, more reliable and safer.

For instance

, if trains, buses and trams were viable options, commuters would be more likely to leave their cars at home. Another less simple solution would be for governments to invest more in regional zones.

For example

, governments can encourage some large companies to relocate there, perhaps by offering tax breaks or rent subsidies. The state could lure more people away from congested urban areas.

This

shift in

population

could take the pressure off the road system and drastically cut

traffic

. In conclusion, even though

traffic

seems to be an inevitable part of modern life, it need not be. With simple creative thinking and investment from leaders, the situation could be improved.