The expectation of increased traffic with yesterday’s opening of the new school term took a nightmarish turn for thousands heading into Port of Spain as an early morning smash-up and WASA leak on the Beetham Highway caused hours of gridlock.

The first day of school expectedly triggered more traffic across the country. However, many motorists and commuters on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Uriah Butler Highway and Beetham Highway found themselves late for school and work due to additional circumstances.

Some who took to social media to complain noted that Monday also marked the start of the new academic year and said the delay was more stressful for already-nervous Form One students.