Heavy traffic has profoundly negative impact on New Yorkers' quality of life.A new study shows that heavy traffic has a big negative impact on the lives of New Yorkers. Compared to neighborhoods with low traffic volumes, residents living on higher volume streets:-- Have more negative perceptions of their block;-- Have fewer friends in the neighborhood;-- Are more often interrupted during sleep, meals and conversation;-- Spent less time walking, shopping and playing with their children.According to the 14-month study by the nonprofit Transportation Alternatives, 49 percent of all residents said that reducing the amount of cars that pass through their streets would "totally improve" their quality of life. On heavier traffic streets, this percentage was even greater -- at 62 percent.The researchers recommend that the city make traffic reduction a top priority and set targets for reducing traffic volumes by 15 percent by 2009. The researchers suggest more mass transit, bicycling and walking -- and fewer cars.It also recommends implementing "traffic calming measures," such as reducing speeds and expanding the use of speed bumps and adding bike lanes.