Cities and metropolitan areas have traffic problems that differ from those in small towns and rural areas. Higher populations of residents, commuters and travelers can lead to common city traffic problems. While these common problems are not unique to larger areas, population density does tend to exacerbate them and make them occur with more regularity.
As city populations increase, the development of new roads and the widening and expanding of existing roads and freeways does not always keep pace. As a result, congestion and traffic jams are a common problem with city traffic. Idling cars in traffic jams also contribute to air pollution levels in major cities.
Pollution due to automobile emissions is an ever-growing problem in major cities. Smog tests and emissions standards, as well as increased environmental awareness, have helped to reduce this problem, but it still is more of a concern in congested and crowded city environments than in rural settings.
Crowded roads and slow commute times can lead to road rage, which in turn can lead to vehicle-related violent acts and accidents. Road rage is usually the result of frustration due to the actions of other drivers, road conditions and traffic delays.
