Social media users vent spleen about Hobart’s traffic congestion

COMMUTERS caught up in Hobart’s traffic chaos have taken to social media to vent their frustrations.

The three-vehicle crash on the corner of Antill St and Davey streets in Hobart yesterday afternoon. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

COMMUTERS caught up in Hobart’s traffic chaos yesterday have taken to social media to vent their frustrations.

Motorists had to sit through traffic delays of up to three hours after bad weather and a series of crashes caused gridlock on the city’s roads.

Two crashes in the afternoon in particular caused major traffic delays.

MORE: CITY TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE FOR COMMUTERS

One was a single-vehicle rollover on the Southern Outlet near the Olinda Grove turn-off about 3.30pm.

A vehicle that was flipped going uphill, southbound on the Southern Outlet in the wet weather. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The other was a three-vehicle crash on the corner of Davey and Antill streets about 4pm, in which a car also rolled after the collision.

There were no serious injuries, but both crashes caused commuter chaos.

Later, about 6.30pm, a third crash brought traffic on Hobart’s Eastern Shore to a crawl.

Responding to a Mercury Facebook post, motorist Susan Woodward said it took her nearly two hours to drive from Geilston Bay to the city via Bowen Bridge, while it took Shane Moore three and a half hours to drive from Montrose to Margate.

“Left Campbell Street at 4.30pm got to Huonville at 8pm. What annoyed me was the amount of mobile phone users in the traffic #putthephonedown,” Jess Oates said.

The congestion caused Alice Dunkerley to miss her dinner reservation, and Bianca Wilson to miss a doctor’s appointment.

South-bound traffic banking up on the Southern Outlet after a single-vehicle accident in the wet weather. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Some social media users tried to put the issue into perspective.

“Compared to Sydney or Melbourne our traffic congestion is pretty normal peeps. Just need to be more aware when driving to the conditions and slow down! It’s not a race!” Maureen Beresford said.

Others offered solutions to the gridlock.

“Until people learn to car pool and not travel with one person (the driver), there is always going to be traffic congestion. Try catching a bus and think of those that don’t have cars and have no option,” Jeanette Goss said.

“Until there are ways over, under or around those two main arterial streets in Hobart, incidents will cause this every time,” Michael Hughes said.

“We need alternate routes. One crash can take out the city,” Jerome Shaw said.

Andrew Strugnell said driver attitudes needed to change.

“Most people need to learn to be patient and wait a bit, be courteous to other drivers and stop running orange/red lights,” he said.

“Plus the biggest contributor to congestion is entering an intersection with no room on the other side, thus blocking the traffic when the light changes. Saw that at most intersections early today.”