TRAFFIC WATCH
Los Angeles has relinquished its title as smog capital of the U.S.--Houston now holds the crown--but remains No. 1 in traffic congestion for the 15th straight year. Residents here lose more time in snarled traffic than drivers anywhere else in the country: 82 hours, or two full weeks of work, a year.
Los Angeles*: 82 hours
Washington**: 76
Seattle-Everett, Wash.: 69
Atlanta: 68
Boston: 66
Detroit: 62
Dallas: 58
Houston: 58
San Francisco-Oakland: 58
Miami-Hialeah, Fla.: 57
Inland Empire: 47
U.S. average: 34
* Includes Orange and Ventura counties
** Includes suburban Virginia and Maryland
Source: Texas Transportation Institute; based on 1997 traffic data
