Severe Traffic Jams Expected Nationwide Ahead of Rosh Hashanah Holiday
Traffic Directorate warns of severe nationwide traffic jams ahead of Rosh Hashanah, advising drivers to depart early as hundreds of thousands head out for holiday meals.
Travelers heading to holiday meals on Friday afternoon should anticipate severe traffic congestion nationwide ahead of Rosh Hashanah, according to the Traffic Directorate. Hundreds of thousands of families are expected to hit the roads simultaneously for family gatherings and vacations, with traffic jams anticipated across major routes from north to south.
The Traffic Directorate highlighted the primary highways expected to face the heaviest delays: Route 1 and Route 443 approaching Jerusalem, Route 6 along its central and northbound sections, Route 2 and Route 4 from the central region through Sharon to Haifa, and Routes 65 and 77 leading toward the north and the Sea of Galilee. Authorities recommend departing early, utilizing real-time navigation apps, and exercising patience, noting that peak congestion is expected around 4:00 PM, roughly two hours before the holiday begins.
Israel Police are finalizing a special deployment for the holiday rush, positioning hundreds of traffic officers, volunteers, marked and unmarked vehicles, motorcycles, and observation units at critical intersections and friction points across the country. The deployment aims to maintain traffic flow and provide rapid responses to incidents. Police emphasize a zero-tolerance policy toward life-endangering traffic violations, focusing on drunk driving, speeding, reckless overtaking, and distracted driving.
