London Traffic Jams in The 80s

Chris Dorley-Brown brought his camera to East London, He encountered numerous traffic jams and snarls, and became fixated on capturing the frustrated expressions of the imprisoned drivers.

The images capture a cross section of Londoners with distinctly ‘80s vehicles, clothes and hairstyles, all in various states of irritation or boredom.

The photos have been collected into a 96-page hardcover book, Drivers in the 1980s, published by Hoxton Mini Press.

It was the first warm day of the year and the drivers and passengers were trapped: impatient, sweaty, wanting to be enjoying the sunshine, not stuck in a traffic jam. As far as me and the Rolleiflex were concerned, they were asking for it.

CHRIS DORLEY-BROWN