Later Braves Games: Better for Traffic or Not?

SMYRNA, GA -- On Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves announced they are moving the starting times for their home games to 7:30 next season, their first in the new SunTrust Park.

"There’s no doubt that traffic can be challenging anywhere in the Metro Atlanta area, and that’s why the Braves are moving the start time of home games back 30 minutes to 7:30 p.m.," according to a statement from the team.

"Moving the start time back enables the bulk of traffic associated with the afternoon rush hour to clear out. When comparing the 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. time window to 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, the result is a 12 percent decrease in the number of cars on the road. When peak rush hour (5:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.) is compared to the 7 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. time window, the reduction is even more dramatic at 30 percent."

So what do you think? Will a 7:30 start time mean any difference in one of the busiest, most traffic-choked thoroughfares in metro Atlanta? Take our Patch poll and share your thoughts in the comments.

Image: SunTrust Park/Atlanta Braves