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"Fewer tourists means rental car businesses suffer, while less construction results in fewer trucks and pick-up trucks being sold," he explained.

By the same token, Bin Nun was critical of the government's policy that forbids exporting used cars. "It makes no sense," he argued. "Not only would this help driving conditions and the environment by getting rid of non-roadworthy and polluting cars — that are sold by every other country to Africa, for example — but the government would ultimately collect more money from the taxes on new cars that would replace them."

Despite traffic problems, Israel has a lower car ownership ratio — 270 vehicles per 1,000 adults over age 18 — than any European country, according to Bin Nun. Moreover, the average age of cars on the road is also the lowest in Europe, about six years.