June 30, 2010
This just in: Commuting is the pits
NWjobs
Just in time for the three-day holiday weekend, IBM informs us that workers around the globe think commuting by car is -- wait for it -- stressful.
In its new Commuter Pain Study, IBM reports that traffic is getting worse, with 85 percent of 8,000 motorists polled from 20 cities around the world agreeing.
Other disheartening statistics the study found:
- 65 percent of respondents blamed traffic congestion for stressing them out, pissing them off, and causing them to lose sleep.
- 42 percent called start-and-stop traffic their biggest commuting complaint. 31 percent named rude drivers as their biggest road peeve.
- 84 percent of U.S. respondents said they drive alone to work by auto, with just 3.1 percent carpooling to the office. In other countries, the number of commuters who said they drive to work alone was a significantly lower 50 percent.
- 60 percent of respondents from around the globe said they don't telecommute at all.
- And finally, 84 percent of respondents said the recession has had no effect on the mode of transportation they use to get to work.
The study did turn up one encouraging fact though. When asked how they'd spend the time saved if they didn't have to commute, the bulk of U.S. respondents said they sure as heck wouldn't spend it at their desks -- they'd spend it with loved ones.
How about you? Anyone care to share their worst commuting story? Or their triumphantly smug tale of what they've done to alleviate their time behind the wheel each morning and evening?
Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail Michelle at mgoodman@nwjobs.com
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sideboom on July 7, 2010 12:22 PM | Reply
I had to walk to school every day , about 5 miles one way, it wasnt stressful,in fact it was interesting at times , then i got a byke, and life seemed to speed up a bit, now i got a car/truck, had a motorcycle, obtained a commercial pilots license and fly around to places , now the only walking for me is with my dog, wish i could turn time back !