25 percent reduction in traffic unclogs congestion

I spend about 15 minutes a day going the last 5 miles of my commute on four-lane arterial road - Route 9 in Framingham. Today, a Friday in August, there was no congestion because many people took the day off.

FACT: If only 25 percent of commuters don't show up, the congestion on most roads is eased.

If commuters on busy roads, like Route 9, 128 or 93 in MetroBoston for example, carpooled one day a week, a mere 20 percent of the time, traffic would be substantially diminished. We all would benefit. If half of all commuters would carpool two days a week, the same outcome would be achieved. Presto- no need to widen roads or sit in traffic daily.

Carpooling is like recycling and paying taxes. We might not like it, it's inconvenient.
But if we all contribute a little, the results are big.

Americans consider giving up driving alone as loathesome as going on a diet, bucking the consumerist traditions in December, or telling politically INcorrect jokes.

We Americans love the convenience and freedom of driving alone. Even giving up a little driving alone is considered painful, and as difficult as quitting something like sugar or smoking.