Spending time in traffic (jams) impacts the environment and everybody's health. Driving to work and finding parking every day can be expensive, stressful and tiresome. Long commute times also cause loss of personal time that could be used doing something else. Being stuck in traffic can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attacks. There's a lot of exhaust on the roads caused by all the traffic and that contributes to air and water pollution as well as global warming.

In its study of 439 urban areas around the country, the Texas Transportation Institute found American travelers are spending about 36 hours stuck in traffic jams, an average, but as much as 70 hours in Los Angeles, wasting 53 gal. of fuel. The cost of traffic congestion was estimated to be $87.2 billion in wasted fuel and lost productivity, or $750 per traveler. Traffic jams in other large cities around world can be even worse, Bangkok and Mexico City being some of the worst - according to Time Magazine, in Bangkok the average pace during the morning rush hour is 15 km/h, or 9 m.p.h.

Good solution for easier commuting is using public transportation, or if that is not available in your area, carpooling. Public transportation creates jobs while lessening traffic congestion and giving you freedom - commuting time can be used for catching up on reading, working, even napping (just remember to set an alarm to make sure you don't miss your stop). Visit your local public transit companies to find out which trips you could start taking using the bus, train, tram, subway or other means available in your area. You can save time, money and nerves while helping your local economy and environment.

According to PublicTransportation.com, public transportation saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually in US alone. Using public transportation daily for a 20-mile round trip instead of driving decreases person's CO2 emissions nearly 5000 pounds per year.

Public transportation use offers exercise - walking to and from the bus/subway/dram stop daily increases your fitness level, while saving you money otherwise spent on gas and parking. According to the American Automobile Association, the estimated cost of driving a single-occupant vehicle is between $4,826 (for a small car) and $9,685 (for a large car), depending upon mileage. By contrast, the annual average cost for public transportation for one adult ranges from $200 to $2,000, depending upon mileage, time of day, type of vehicle or service.

According to Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, public transportation is one of the safest modes of travel - riding a transit bus is 91 times safer than car travel. Transit vehicle operators are highly trained to anticipate and avoid problems. Most transit vehicles are larger, newer and more substantial than autos or vans.