traffic jam: the loss of vehicle flow on a roadway
congestion: heavy traffic that prevents vehicles from moving quickly
rely on: to require help from others
haul: to carry a heavy load
expressway: highway; roadway where vehicles are permitted to drive quickly for long distance driving
volume: a large amount of something
breakdown: a vehicle failure
A Traffic Jam That Lasted Ten Days
One of the worst recorded traffic jams in history took place on a highway west of Beijing in August, 2010. The congestion lasted for over ten days, and involved at least 10,000 vehicles. Some drivers were trapped for days, and relied on cyclists and pedlars for food and water. The goods were sold at outrageous prices, creating a mini-economy for nearby residents. The congestion was caused by an extraordinary number of trucks on the road, including road construction vehicles and trucks hauling coal from Mongolia. Breakdowns added to the volume, turning the expressway into a massive parking lot.
