Debunked: How Long Do You Wait at Traffic Lights?

You'll Waste Six Months of Your Life at Red Lights

2k views·Posted 15 years ago·Updated 2 hours ago

There's a persistent myth that people spend two weeks of their lives waiting at traffic lights. The reality? Try six months. That's right—you'll lose half a year of your existence to the soul-crushing tedium of red lights.

According to research by TomTom, the average driver spends about 20 minutes per day waiting at red lights. Multiply that across decades of driving, and you're looking at roughly 180 days over a lifetime. That's enough time to learn a language, write a novel, or binge-watch every season of your favorite show three times over.

Where Did the "Two Weeks" Myth Come From?

The "two weeks" figure appears to originate from a quote attributed to musician Tom Waits, who once mused about the average person spending two weeks of their lifetime waiting for lights to change. It's a catchy, memorable stat—which is exactly why it spread. But it's also wildly inaccurate.

Unlike rigorous transportation studies, this claim seems to be more poetic observation than data-driven fact. No credible source backs up the two-week estimate, while multiple traffic studies consistently point to the six-month reality.

The Daily Grind

On an average 10-mile trip lasting about 17 minutes, you'll hit approximately four traffic signals and spend nearly 70 seconds in total delay. That might not sound like much, but it adds up fast.

Red lights in urban areas typically last 60 to 90 seconds, and each signal crossing delays your vehicle by an average of 17 seconds. Over the course of a year, those seconds snowball into hours—about 122 hours annually if you drive daily.

It Gets Worse in Some Cities

Where you live makes a massive difference. Drivers in Mexico City face the worst traffic light torture on the planet, spending an average of 45 minutes per day at red lights. That's more than double the global average.

Mexico City: 45 minutes daily
Global average: 20 minutes daily
Rural areas: significantly less

Meanwhile, cities with optimized traffic systems or robust public transit can cut that time dramatically. But if you're commuting in a congested metro area, you're probably on the higher end of that spectrum.

The Hidden Cost

Beyond the sheer waste of time, idling at red lights burns fuel, increases emissions, and contributes to driver frustration and stress. Some studies estimate that 20% of total driving time is spent waiting at signals.

Smart traffic systems and adaptive signals that respond to real-time traffic flow are helping reduce these delays, but we're still a long way from eliminating the red light tax on our lives. Until self-driving cars or better urban planning solve the problem, you'll keep losing months of your life one red light at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do people really spend at traffic lights?

The average person spends approximately six months (180 days) of their lifetime waiting at traffic lights, based on about 20 minutes per day of driving.

Where does the two weeks statistic come from?

The 'two weeks' claim is often attributed to musician Tom Waits as a memorable quote, but it's not backed by actual traffic studies and significantly underestimates the real time spent at red lights.

What city has the longest traffic light wait times?

Mexico City has the longest average wait times, with drivers spending about 45 minutes per day at red lights—more than double the global average of 20 minutes.

How long is the average red light?

Red lights in urban areas typically last 60 to 90 seconds, with each signal crossing causing an average delay of 17 seconds per vehicle.

How much of driving time is spent at traffic lights?

Approximately 20% of total driving time is spent waiting at traffic signals, which adds up to significant delays over months and years of regular driving.