Traffic Gridlock in Washington Drives Up Telecommuting

Posted & filed under distracted driving, Washington DC Car Insurance.

According to a story by Ashley Halsey III and Jennifer Agiesta for The Washington Post, driving in the Washington region is headed nowhere but to the place called “worse.” Already known as one of the most congested places in the nation, a new poll conducted by the newspaper points to more than a quarter of workers in the Washington area opting to telecommute with some degree of regularity rather than face the traffic.

Approximated 1.5 million residents in the region face a daily commute and give 62 hours a year over to the process. Of those surveyed, 60% agreed that the situation has deteriorated over the past five years. Many turn to telecommuting to get back at least some of that lost time, saying they get more done at home with fewer interruptions and less stress.

Twenty-eight percent work remotely on a full-time basis, another 28% have actually moved to shorten their commute, and four in 10 have become partial telecommuters (generally dialing in at least once a week.) A considerable income gap does separates the telecommuters from those who are still stuck with the daily drive. Households making $150,000 or more dial in; those making $50,000 or less, drive.
Most drivers say they can get into the city in the morning fairly quickly, but double their projected commute time for the return trip. Most commuters drive solo and have an intimate knowledge of the road and elaborate routes and short cuts to try to get around traffic. Only about 20% say they use public transit. Sixteen percent have to figure an hour or more driving time into their day in addition to their regular work time. Fifty-five percent say they hit a traffic jam at least once a week.

Not surprisingly many of these drivers face higher insurance rates based on increased risk factors and the fact that they tend to be on their cell phones either communicating with the office or entertaining themselves while sitting in gridlock. As traffic in urban areas continues to worsen, more workers — and more companies — will likely be open to telecommuting as an option. If this solution becomes part of your working life, talk to your insurance company. Any proof you can offer that you’re not out there on the roads in high risk areas will help you to manage your premium levels.