It’s no surprise that the D.C. area has some terrible traffic around here. The crammed, crowded roads have put us on a list that we really don’t want to be on — the worst congestion in the country.

We’ve done it, everybody. We are in the top 10 for worst traffic congestion in the country — #9, as a matter of fact. It’s probably not breaking news to you, if you are out and about on roads such as the Capital Beltway.

But when you talk to the experts about all of this, they say if we don’t do anything about it, nothing is ever going to change.

Our traffic is so bad that some commuters, like Ivan Johnson, are resigned to their fate.

“I’ve been here so long that I’m used to it’s, so it’s no big deal […] I’m numb,” he said.

According to a new report from traffic-tracking company INRIX, many roads around here are rough. The D.C. region ranks 19th for traffic congestion worldwide, and 9th for most congestion in the U.S.

Drivers here waste 70 hours per year stuck in traffic, and that costs each driver $1,289 per year in wasted time and fuel.

“Well, it doesn’t surprise me, because as Americans, we know we love cars,” Dr Rashmi Sadana of George Mason University said.

Sadana has written a book called “The Moving City,” which is about smarter ways to get around. She says our region will have to come to grips with the fact that we need more affordable housing closer to and inside the Beltway to make a difference with congestion.

“Part of it is really about the economics and the way this region has really grown — which is a positive thing,” she said. “But it hasn’t grown with the idea of how are people going to be able to afford to live here and to not have these long commutes.”

And she says we actually commute many, many times per day.

“People I talk to — what are you doing after work? You’re driving your kids to all their different activities right?” she said. “You’re driving to the grocery store; you’re driving to your gym.”

One positive trend noted in this report: People are choosing more options known as micro-mobility, getting around without a car and instead using methods such as e-bikes, scooters and rideshare.

This report says our busiest corridor is DC-295.

New York City took the top spot for worst traffic in the U.S.

WASHINGTON – Drivers in the District should expect intermittent road closures and parking restrictions Wednesday and Thursday in areas of the city while film crews shoot as part of a movie detail, according to D.C. police.

What we know:

Officials say on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., 14th Street NW between N Street and Rhode Island Avenue will be posted as Emergency No Parking and may be closed to traffic.

On Thursday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 3rd Street between Jefferson Drive SW and Madison Drive NW will be under similar restrictions. Later Thursday evening, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., M Street NW between 20th and 21st streets will also be posted as Emergency No Parking and could be closed.

The backstory:

The District is no stranger to Hollywood. Iconic scenes from Forrest Gump, The Exorcist and Captain America: The Winter Soldier were filmed in Washington, and the city was a frequent backdrop for the Netflix series House of Cards.

It is unclear which movie is currently in production.

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon says all National Guard agents continuing to patrol D.C. will now be armed. 

It comes after two guard members were shot, one fatally. 

The backstory:

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of shooting two National Guard members last Wednesday, has pleaded not guilty to assault and murder charges.

Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom died a day later, on Thanksgiving, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in the hospital.

Lakanwal appeared in front of a judge virtually from his hospital bed, pleading not guilty on all four charges – two counts of assault, one firearm charge and first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of specialist Sarah Beckstrom right here on the corner of I and 17th Streets. 

“We are pursuing everything,” U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said. “There is nothing off the table right now.” 

Pirro says 29-year-old Lakanwal could face additional charges in federal court as her office continues to investigate the ambush-style shooting of the West Virginia National Guard members. 

Man accused of shooting National Guard members in DC makes first court appearance

New evidence released:

Guarded by officers at a local hospital, Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

In new surveillance photos found in court documents, Lakanwal is seen standing by the Farragut West Metro entrance moments before the shooting.

In the next photo, it appears that the suspect approaches a group of National Guard members circled in blue.

Witnesses say that’s when “gunfire erupted,” striking 20-year-old Beckstrom and 24-year-old Wolfe.

Dig deeper:

Investigators say a major with the National Guard who was nearby shot Lakanwal with his service weapon as the suspect was trying reload his gun. 

Secret Service officers responding to the shooting helped apprehend the suspect after the shooting. 

According to the documents, both Beckstrom, who passed, and Wolfe were shot in the head.

“We have one young man who is fighting for his life. He’s fighting very hard,” President Donald Trump said. 

What’s next:

At a press briefing on Tuesday, the Pentagon announced changes following this tragic shooting.

“I can confirm that everybody in D.C. is now armed, and a lot of our D.C. National Guardsmen are now doing joint patrol, with members of the police department here in D.C.,” Pentagon press secretary Kigsley Wilson said. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office added that Lakanwal allegedly traveled from Washington state to D.C. the same day to carry out this attack.

This is an individual about whom we don’t know a lot, but we will trust me, before it’s over,” Pirro said.

Lakanwal will remain in the hospital until he is well enough to be transferred to jail, where he will be held without bond.

His next court date is on Jan.14.