A method provides traffic condition data in the context of a traffic condition recognition by a motor vehicle, in particular traffic condition data for detecting the position of traffic, preferably for detecting traffic jams. In a first step the type of road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined by use of a position recognition device and a digital road map. In a second step, the category of road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined by use of the position recognition device and the digital road map. A third step utilizes assignments, in particular a table, which assigns at least one lower speed threshold, one upper speed threshold and preferably also a normal speed to both the relevant road type and the relevant road category of the road along which the vehicle is traveling. Finally, in a fourth step, at least the lower speed threshold and the upper speed threshold are used to determine the traffic condition.