Traffic Terminology

verb to block or fill with an excessive amount of something, causing overcrowding or obstruction

• The city's traffic congestion has been a major issue for years.
• I avoid driving during rush hour to steer clear of the congestion.
• The highway was totally clogged up with cars, it was a real mess.
• Her mind was so congested with worries that she couldn't focus on anything else.

noun A person's head or the top part of the body

verb To go in a particular direction or to a particular place

adverb In the direction of the front or top

• I need to head off to the meeting now.
• I should head off to catch the bus.
• Let's head off to the party before it gets too late.
• I need to head off this problem before it escalates.

noun something that is approaching or coming closer

adjective approaching or coming closer in a specific direction

• The driver quickly swerved to avoid the oncoming traffic.
• I saw the oncoming car and had to brake suddenly.
• I almost got hit by that oncoming vehicle!
• The team prepared for the oncoming challenges with determination.

noun a person who stares inquisitively at something that is unusual or out of the ordinary

verb to turn one's head to stare inquisitively at something

• The traffic jam was caused by rubbernecking drivers slowing down to look at the accident.
• Don't be a rubberneck and hold up traffic by staring at the accident.
• Stop rubbernecking and just keep driving!
• She couldn't help but rubberneck at the drama unfolding in front of her.

noun a tangle or knot

verb to growl or show teeth in a threatening manner

• The traffic congestion caused a snarl in the city center.
• The dog began to snarl at the stranger approaching its territory.
• Don't snarl at me like that, I was just asking a question.
• The negotiations hit a snarl when neither party was willing to compromise.

noun A person who drives slowly or without skill, often causing frustration for other drivers

• The slow-moving car in front of us appears to be driven by a Sunday driver.
• Ugh, we're stuck behind a Sunday driver going 10 miles under the speed limit.
• I can't stand Sunday drivers who don't know how to drive properly.
• He's such a Sunday driver when it comes to making decisions, always taking his time and being indecisive.

noun a situation of severe traffic congestion, typically caused by a large number of vehicles on the road

adjective used to describe a chaotic or disastrous traffic situation

• The city officials are preparing for potential carmageddon during the upcoming holiday weekend.
• I heard there's going to be a carmageddon on the highway tomorrow, so we should leave early.
• I can't believe we got caught up in that carmageddon on the way to the concert.
• The rush hour traffic was so bad, it felt like a carmageddon on the streets.