Traffic jams A1 Motorway

Traffic jams A1 Motorway

A broken down car, an accident vehicle, or quite simply a larger crowd when leaving or returning from vacation, the causes of a traffic jam on the motorway are numerous or even multiple. Every year, the French lose a considerable amount of time in traffic jams. For example, it has been estimated that Parisian motorists spend an average of 6.5 days a year in traffic jams. Fortunately, this problem is less recurrent for users of Sanef motorways. To avoid traffic jams: you have to anticipate them: that's what Sanef allows you to do!

Avoid traffic jams on the A1 motorway

To avoid a traffic jam, it is best to inform yourself in advance.
Before setting off on the A1 motorway, remember to look at our interactive map to check if there are any traffic jams on your route. If it is possible for you to delay your departure, do not hesitate to adapt to avoid traffic peaks.
If you are already on the road, two solutions:

• Use our Sanef & Vous mobile application for information and advice on delays upstream of the road.
• Listen to our Sanef 107.7 radio for continuous information on the state of traffic on the A1 motorway and all our other networks.

What to do in the event of a slowdown announced on the A1 motorway?

If a slowdown is reported, you have several options here too. You can try to leave the highway to bypass the traffic jam via the secondary network. It can work but know that you will surely not be the only one thinking about it. It is indeed common, in the event of traffic jams on the motorway, to see other traffic jams forming on the adjacent axes.
The other solution, and the one we recommend, is to take a break. Indeed, do not hesitate to stop at a motorway rest area to wait for congestion on your axis. You'll save fuel, so you can rest, and be more relaxed before hitting the road again. In the majority of cases, the problem will be resolved and you can resume your journey with peace of mind.
Again, do not hesitate to consult our map to find out the location of the rest areas on the A1 motorway and the services offered.

What to do if you are stuck in a traffic jam?

Avoiding traffic jams is not always possible. Here is a series of tips if you get stuck on the A1:

A traffic jam in front of you? Turn on your hazard warning lights

While slowing down, turn on your hazard lights. By doing this, you warn other motorists of the danger and you protect yourself by increasing your visibility. Once a few vehicles behind you are also stuck in the jam, you can turn off your warnings.

Maintain your safe distances

By maintaining a sufficient safety distance between you and the vehicle in front, you avoid hitting it if ever a vehicle behind you arrives too fast and does not have time to brake.

Don't change lanes

Sometimes it's hard to resist the temptation to change lanes on the freeway when it seems to be moving faster than yours. Indeed, you always have the impression that the path you are on is the one that does not advance. Learn that in the event of a traffic jam, the progress of vehicles on a motorway is delayed but most of the time remains the same. If you change lanes, you interrupt the advance, and increase the risk of collision with other vehicles, which of course, does not help the traffic jam.

Do not ride on the emergency lane

This is reserved for maintenance services and emergency vehicles. By driving on the emergency lane, you also run the risk of blocking them and delaying the intervention of the emergency services, thus prolonging the traffic jam and endangering other users. Driving on the emergency lane is sanctioned by a 4th class fine of 135 euros fine and leads to the withdrawal of 3 points on your driving license.