Collocations about TRAFFIC

Collocations about Traffic

Collocations about traffic

Traffic is an uncountable noun referring to the movement of vehicles on the road, water, or air. Since we all deal with traffic every day—whether we drive, take a bus, or simply cross the road—it’s useful to know common traffic collocations that native speakers use in daily conversation.

Let’s look at some of the most common ones you’ll come across.

Adjectives with Traffic

Heavy / Busy / Dense / Light Traffic

• They mentioned heavy traffic in the city centre, so I’ll take the bus to work.
• Why is traffic always so busy and dense when it rains?
• If you want to learn to drive, you should go to the countryside because the traffic is light there.

These collocations are especially common when describing how crowded or clear the roads are.

Slow-Moving / Fast-Moving Traffic

• Too many buses and lorries always cause slow-moving traffic.
• No one should go cycling in fast-moving traffic without a helmet.

“Slow-moving traffic” often happens near roadworks, accidents, or during rush hour.

Rush Hour

Meaning: The busiest time of day when people travel to or from work or school.

• You have to drive carefully during rush hour.
• We set out early to avoid the morning rush hour.

You can also say the morning/evening rush hour, rush-hour traffic, or the rush-hour crowd. Collocations about traffic

Traffic Jam / Traffic Congestion

Meaning: A long line of vehicles that cannot move or move very slowly.

• People in big cities often spend hours in traffic jams.
• Due to traffic congestion, even emergency vehicles couldn’t get through.
• There was a massive traffic jam after the football match.

Synonyms: gridlock, tailback (mainly British).

Traffic Warden

Meaning: A person (often a police officer or local official) who controls or enforces parking and traffic rules.

• I got a parking ticket from a traffic warden.
• A traffic warden asked Julia to pull over.

You may also hear traffic police officer or parking attendant.

Traffic Lights / Traffic Signals

Meaning: Devices that control the flow of vehicles and pedestrians.

• When the traffic light is red, cars must stop.
• They set up temporary traffic lights because of the roadworks.
• The lights turned green, so we could finally go.

Common phrases: run a red light, wait at the lights, the lights change.

Stuck in Traffic

Meaning: Unable to move or moving very slowly because of heavy traffic.

• Don’t wait for me; I’m stuck in traffic and won’t be home for another hour.
• The Taylors missed their flight because they got stuck in traffic.
• You can also say caught in traffic or held up in traffic. Collocations about traffic

Oncoming Traffic

Meaning: Vehicles moving towards you on the opposite side of the road.

• Martin was dazzled by the headlights of oncoming traffic.
• When cycling at night, always stay visible to oncoming traffic.

Traffic Island

Meaning: A small raised area in the middle of the road separating lanes of traffic or providing safety for pedestrians.

• There was a policeman directing cars from a traffic island.
• Cross at the traffic island and then turn left.

Website Traffic (Metaphorical Use)

Meaning: The number of visitors who use or browse a website.

• If you want to be a successful blogger, make sure your website generates enough traffic.
• Our company provides website traffic statistics for your business.

In this sense, traffic refers to digital visitors, not cars!

Traffic Flow

Meaning: The movement or circulation of vehicles along a road or through an area.

• The authorities are working hard to improve traffic flow in the city centre.
• Roadworks have disrupted the flow of traffic on the motorway.

You might also hear: smooth traffic flow or disrupted traffic flow. Collocations about traffic

Traffic Accident / Collision

Meaning: A situation when vehicles crash or hit each other.

• The road was closed for hours after a traffic accident.
• Two cars were involved in a serious collision at the crossroads.

Common phrases: minor accident, serious collision, fatal accident, accident scene.

Traffic Signs

Meaning: Signs placed beside or above roads to give information or warnings to drivers.

• Always pay attention to traffic signs, especially near schools.
• The new driver didn’t recognise some of the warning signs on the motorway.

You can also say: road signs or directional signs.

Traffic Noise

Meaning: The sound produced by cars, buses, and other vehicles, often heard in busy areas.

• They installed double-glazed windows to reduce traffic noise.
• Living near a main road means getting used to constant noise from traffic.

Synonyms: road noise, street noise.

Collocations make your English more natural and fluent. Instead of saying “a lot of cars on the road,” say “heavy traffic.” Instead of “I can’t move because of cars,” say “I’m stuck in traffic.”

Mastering these expressions will make your writing and speaking smoother — and much more like a native speaker’s!

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!