DAILY DIRT: Chicago has the worst and most costly traffic problems of any major U.S. city

I was shocked at which city is “only” No. 3 … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 982 of The Daily Dirt.

1. The top five U.S. cities with the worst traffic problems?

Well, if you can believe a recent study from U.S. News and World Report, Chicago is at the top of the list.

“The report measures lost time using a 2016 analysis by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, which, when adjusted for inflation, estimates an average hour stuck in traffic in the U.S. is worth nearly $17,” U.S. News and World Report writer Chris Gilligan said of the analysis.

The study was undertaken in 2022 and completed in late 2023.

• 1. Chicago: The average driver lost 155 hours, or nearly six and a half days, to time spent in traffic … leading to an estimated cost of $2,618 in lost time over the year.
• 2. Boston: Beantown drivers lost 134 hours and $2,270.
• 3. New York City: Drivers in the Big Apple lost 117 hours and $1,796. I was certain NYC would have been No. 1 on this list.
• 4. Philadelphia: 114 hours and $1,925.
• 5. Miami: 105 hours and $1,553.

2. Did you know (Part 40)

That Jim Carrey was paid $7 million for his role in “Dumb and Dumber,” while co-star Jeff Daniels earned just $50,000.

That if you commit certain crimes at sea, especially violent ones, you are legally considered a pirate.

That there is 186 percent more creme filling in a “Double Stuff” Oreo cookie when compared to the traditional model.

That the average dairy cow produces 7.5 gallons of milk each day.

That polygamy is legal in 58 countries, most of them in Africa and surrounding regions.

3. This is for fans of the squared circle.

The following wrestlers represent the 10 most successful in WWE history, in terms of victories. Any surprises?

• 1. Bret “The Hit Man” Hart: 1,882 wins.
• 2. The Undertaker: 1,836 wins.  
• 3. John Cena: 1,799 wins.
• 4. Tito Santana: 1,783 wins.
• 5. Rey Mysterio: 1,598 wins.
• 6. Hulk Hogan: 1,577 wins. 
• 7. Kane: 1,563 wins.
• 8. The British Bulldog: 1,478 wins.
• 9. Bruno Sammartino: 1,468 wins.
• 10. The Big Show: 1,446 wins.

Santana and Mysterio are the biggest surprises to me. The two career mid-carders really don’t even belong on a list like this. 

I’m also mildly shocked Sammartino is so far down. The man held the title for more than 11 years.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Sammartino did most of his headline wrestling in the 1960s and 1970s. If he had come along in the 1980s (like, say, Hogan) — when the spotlight started to shine so brightly on the masters of mayhem — there is no doubt in my mind he would have been regarded as the No. 1 champion of all-time.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Kane, officially known as Glenn Jacobs of Bowling Green, Mo., is currently the mayor of Knox County, Tenn. Yes, in Tennessee, the counties have mayors.