Seven deadly sins of commuting

p/s : bad or dangerous driving by other road users tops the list of sins.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian commuters have identified seven deadly sins of commuting that cause them the most stress on the way to work and undermine their productivity and job satisfaction.

Based on a survey done by workspace solutions provider Regus, bad or dangerous driving by other road users tops the list of sins.

Road rage, loud mobile phone conversations, and foul smell (body adour/bad breath from other commuters or smelly food) also figure as major commuting stress factors, according to the survey findings.

Other deadly sins are delays and service interruptions, lack of information from the service providers, and pollution and the heat.

The survey notes that in Malaysia, the average one-way commute is 29 minutes while 15 per cent of Malaysians have to travel over 45 minutes each way.

"Yet the time taken to commute is less of an issue than the commuting experience," said the news release on the survey findings.

The survey was conducted to identify the major causes of commuting stress across drivers and users of public transport.

Regus vice-president for Southeast Asia and ANZ, William Willems said in the release that the public could recognise their own worst experiences in the survey findings, adding that road rage and dangerous driving was a real concern for other drivers and pedestrians.

"Being left in the dark about service interruptions or traffic jams is also a killer for a calm and productive working day.

"With regard to mobile phone users, some do not realise or care that they are ruining many people's day right from the start."

Willems said Regus advocated flexible working location and hours to avoid all the stress and strains which could have an adverse effect on employees' output, motivation and happiness.

"Travelling to a work location closer to home, especially outside of peak hours, is often the best way to avoid stress for a happier, calmer and ultimately more fruitful day's work."-- BERNAMA

Read more: Seven deadly sins of commuting http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Sevendeadlysinsofcommuting/Article/#ixzz1EoqTMU44