Richard writes, "Extreme commuting has high environmental costs, because it takes a lot of energy to move people long distances (and it's worse since most of them are alone in their vehicles), but there are also high health and social costs. The stress adds up and can lead to health problems ("raised blood pressure, musculoskeletal disorders, increased hostility, lateness, absenteeism, and adverse effects on cognitive performance"), as well as family problems (especially for parents with young children)."
He notes that there could easily be another category of extreme extreme commuters, since lots of people regularly commute more than the minimum suggested in the Census.
Comments
This trend takes a toll
This trend takes a toll on our environment and families.
The workers I know who have been extreme commuters were so because they wanted a home in a community that they felt was safe, clean and had good schools. Some wanted the countryside, while others lived in small cities. They commuted over 1-2 hours each way every day to their big city jobs, so that they could live where they wanted to.
We have to work to make our communities places where people can work AND live happily.