Traffic by the Eiffell Tower, Paris. Picture: Ivo Jansch/Flick
THINK traffic's bad in our capital cities? Well, you haven't seen anything yet. Tourists be warned, you'll need a lot of extra travel time in these locations.
We reveal the top 10 worst hot spots for traffic on the planet, according to the annual Traffic Scorecard compiled by traffic and navigation service provider INRIX.
INRIX says traffic congestion overall in Europe dropped by 18 per cent last year compared to 2011, and continues to decline, with an additional 23 per cent dip in the first quarter. This is largely attributed to the still-sagging European economy.
Meanwhile traffic jams in the US are on the upswing, having risen by 6.4 per cent over the first quarter of 2013 following two straight years of decline.
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"Drivers are spending on average a full work week in traffic (over a year)," Jim Bak, author of the Traffic Scorecard said.
But here are the places you really don't want to be travelling through in peak hour.
1. Brussels, Belgium
According to the INRIX Traffic Scorecard, drivers in Brussels face the worst traffic jams in the world, spending an extra 83 hours a year stuck on the roads.
2. Antwerp, Netherlands
It's a mystery why the two cities that suffer the most road congestion on the planet are located in the kingdom of Belgium. Perhaps we should call in fictional Belgian detective Hercule Poirot to solve the case.
3. Los Angeles, US
Unfortunate commuters in the City of Angels on average spend 59 hours a year sitting in traffic as opposed to times when roadways are clear – whenever that might be.
Traffic comes to a standstill on a Los Angeles freeway. Picture: AFP Source: AFP
4. Milan, Italy
The fashion capital of the world is also one of the most traffic prone cities according to the INRIX Traffic Scorecard. Maybe they shouldn't let all those sheep onto the streets during rush hour.
The sheep are causing baa ba-ad traffic. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
5. London, UK
Not only do Londoners suffer from among the worst traffic jams in the world, as a nation the UK places fifth in highway headaches.
6. Paris, France
While the scenery is indeed belle, the traffic is truly merde in Paris.
7. Honolulu, US
While it ranks as the 53rd most populous city in the US, Honolulu is second only to LA in having the most congested traffic corridors in the nation, with commuters in Hawaii’s largest city wasting an average of 50 hours a year during peak travel times.
Traffic may be bad in Honolulu, but they do it in style. Picture: Steven Alan/Flickr Source: No Source
8. Rotterdam, Netherlands
The second-largest city in the Netherlands is known as a busy shipping capitol, yet its highway traffic is among the worst on the planet.
9. Manchester, UK
Perhaps the roads are so crowded there because everyone is driving to see Manchester United play football.
10. San Francisco, US
Certainly the "San Francisco treat" is not its traffic, as commuters face an annual average 49 hours delayed in highway backups.
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Traffic at San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Picture: JanWillemPap/Flickr Source: No Source
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