Los Angeles' notorious traffic problem explained in graphics

By Andrea Lo, CNN. Illustrations by Natalie Leung, CNN

Updated 0146 GMT (0946 HKT) February 28, 2018

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Los Angeles consistently tops lists of the world's most congested cities. In metropolitan LA, 84% of commuters chose to drive or carpool to work in 2017, according to Inrix. It's no wonder LA is known as a "driving city."
Photos: The world's worst cities for rush hour traffic
Los Angeles, US – Los Angeles consistently tops lists of the world's most congested cities. In metropolitan LA, 84% of commuters chose to drive or carpool to work in 2017, according to Inrix. It's no wonder LA is known as a "driving city."
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Moscow is the second-most congested city in the world, based on the average time drivers spend in rush hour traffic -- 91 hours, according to the INRIX 2017 Traffic Scorecard.
Photos: The world's worst cities for rush hour traffic
Moscow, Russia – Moscow is the second-most congested city in the world, based on the average time drivers spend in rush hour traffic -- 91 hours, according to the INRIX 2017 Traffic Scorecard.
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Over in the capital of Thailand, drivers spent an average of 64 hours in rush hour traffic.
Photos: The world's worst cities for rush hour traffic
Bangkok, Thailand – Over in the capital of Thailand, drivers spent an average of 64 hours in rush hour traffic.
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A traffic jam on a Jakarta highway. If you drive here during rush hour traffic, expect to spend up to 63 hours stuck in congestion per year, as drivers in the city did in 2017.
Photos: The world's worst cities for rush hour traffic
Jakarta, Indonesia – A traffic jam on a Jakarta highway. If you drive here during rush hour traffic, expect to spend up to 63 hours stuck in congestion per year, as drivers in the city did in 2017.
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The Turkish city doesn't fare any better -- drivers spent a bottom-numbing 59 hours stuck in traffic in rush hour per year.
Photos: The world's worst cities for rush hour traffic
Istanbul, Turkey – The Turkish city doesn't fare any better -- drivers spent a bottom-numbing 59 hours stuck in traffic in rush hour per year.
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And in Mexico City, drivers spent an average of 58 hours in congestion during peak hours.
Photos: The world's worst cities for rush hour traffic
Mexico City, Mexico – And in Mexico City, drivers spent an average of 58 hours in congestion during peak hours.
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Things aren't better in St Petersburg, where drivers spent 54 hours waiting on the road.
Photos: The world's worst cities for rush hour traffic
St Petersburg, Russia – Things aren't better in St Petersburg, where drivers spent 54 hours waiting on the road.
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The Chinese capital city once famous for being home to "nine million bicycles" is now notorious for its traffic jams, as people swap two wheels for four.
Photos: The world's worst cities for rush hour traffic