More unemployment means fewer traffic jams in Spain

THE time Spain’s motorists waste waiting in traffic has fallen by 63% since 2010, during the years of economic crisis and mass unemployment.

The lower levels of economic activity have actually freed up Spanish roads, in one of the few positives to be found.

Barcelona has seen the biggest decrease in traffic jams at 76% in four years, according to the study by Catalunya’s Royal Automobile Club.

In Spain’s most congested city, Bilbao, drivers are still losing an average of 24 hours every year to traffic jams. While Catalunyan drivers lose just 15 hours.

The RACC study also found that Spain has seen the third biggest fall in traffic jams, out of the 13 European countries analysed – beaten only by Portugal and Hungary.