Traffic jams reported as Israelis head to new year celebrations

Israel’s central highways were clogged Sunday evening as people took to the roads, heading for Rosh Hashanah holiday celebrations.

According to the Traffic Police, there was congestion in the Herzilya area of the coastal road highway, between Hasira junction and Yanai. In the south, Route 38 was blocked from Messilat Zion to Hartuv. And Route 40, which connects Kiryat Gat to southern communities and runs all the way to Eilat, was congested in its northern segment.

In the north, heavy traffic was reported on Routes 60, 65 and 75, as well as on the northern segment of Route 6, Israel’s major toll highway.

The two main highways in and out of Jerusalem, Routes 1 and 443, were also suffering from delays.

Hundreds of Traffic Police and volunteers were to be deployed Sunday evening at major junctions and intercity routes across Israel, a move that will continue until the holiday ends on Tuesday night.

Based on previous years, the Traffic Police published maps of where they predicted traffic to be congested. Police suggested that drivers set out for their destinations early, and take traffic jams into account in planning their holiday schedules.