Istanbul world’s 2nd worst city in stop-start traffic

ISTANBUL

Istanbul is now the world’s second worst city in the in terms of stop-start traffic, according to a new study by lubricating oil firm Castrol.

Drivers in Istanbul made an average of 32,520 stop-starts in 2014, an increase of 1,320 times less in 2013, according to the study conducted by Castrol Magnatec in 78 cities from 36 countries.

According to the study, a “moderate” number of stop-starts is an average of less than 8,000, while a “severe” number of stop-starts is an average of 18,000 or more.

Jakarta came top of the list for the highest average number of stop-starts, up from fifth in 2013. Drivers in the Indonesian capital made an average of 33,240 stop-starts in 2014.

Mexico City came third in the list, followed by Indonesia’s second-largest city, Surabaya, and the Russian city of Saint Petersburg.

The 2014 Castrol Magnatec Stop-Start Index examined traffic conditions in 78 key cities and regions around the globe, including China, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. The index shows how heavy traffic, and stopping and starting so often affects journey times and driving conditions around the world, and how the severity differs in major markets.