Dublin drivers lose the most time and money stuck in traffic, study shows

Eva Osborne

Dublin drivers lose the most in earnings while stuck in traffic, equivalent to €6,351 a year, according to a new study.

Ireland's capital also has the most congested roads of 25 European capital cities, causing drivers to waste 36 minutes every workday in traffic.

Dublin drivers lose 158 hours per year during rush hour alone. With the cost of labour estimated at €40.20 an hour, this amounts to €6,351.60, all lost stuck behind the wheel.

Paris ranked second, losing €5,064 worth of time in traffic. Brussels trails closely behind, where rush hour traffic costs each driver €4,898 a year.

The new study is from the European car parts marketplace Ovoko, which analysed 2023 traffic data from TomTom for 25 capital cities in Europe.

Drivers from Bratislava (Slovakia), Madrid (Spain) and Ljubljana (Slovenia) spend the least time in traffic, averaging 51 hours at peak time throughout 2023.

VP of growth for Ovoko, Vytas Palovis, said: “It is quite shocking, really, that Dublin ranked so highly, since it is one of the least populated capital cities in the EU.

“With about 36 minutes stuck in traffic every single workday, it is clear that Dublin’s entire urban infrastructure seems unfit for its residents, and something needs to change.

“Unlike other European capital cities, traffic in Paris has a more dignified explanation for those who have not visited it yet. They say there is always a protest somewhere in Paris, but alternative routes are often very limited, so if you are planning a visit there, allow more than enough time for travelling by car, especially at rush hour.”