Καλημέρα. Και
ακινητοποίηση ~~~ (για γενικότερη χρήση),
φρακάρισμα.
Κυκλοφοριακό έμφραγμα (πολύ δημοσιογραφικό).
Αλλά πώς να το έχουν τα παλιά λεξικά; Το 1980 λανσαρίστηκε έξω. Στο OED:
Apparently coined by two U.S. transport engineers, Roy Cottam and Sam Schwartz (‘Gridlock Sam’), working for the New York Traffic Department. The term was popularized during a strike by city transit workers in early 1980: ‘One day, Roy spoke of his fears if we closed the streets in the Theater District, the grid system would “lock-up” and all traffic would grind to a halt. Soon we simply juxtaposed the word, and the term gridlock was born.’ (Sam Schwartz, 2001).]
A.1 A state of severe road congestion arising when continuous queues of vehicles block an entire network of intersecting streets, bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill; a traffic jam of this kind.
b. In extended use: the breakdown, stoppage, or seizure of a process, system, etc., esp. as a result of overloading or overwork. Also: an instance of this.
2. fig. A situation (freq. a political one) in which it is impossible to make any progress; an impasse, stalemate, or deadlock.