To ascertain traffic status data, a speed of a vehicle is acquired multiple times at predefined time intervals. The respective acquired speed is assigned to a first speed range when the respective acquired speed of the vehicle is greater than at least one predefined speed threshold. Furthermore, a first count is increased when the respective acquired speed is assigned to the first speed range. The respective acquired speed is assigned to a second speed range when the respective acquired speed of the vehicle is less than the at least one speed threshold, and a second count is increased when the respective acquired speed is assigned to the second speed range, wherein a holding phase is recognized while the respective acquired speed has a speed value in a predefined range around the value zero once or multiple times in succession. During the recognized holding phase, the acquired speeds having the speed value in the predefined range around the value zero are not taken into consideration for a predefined non-consideration number of speed acquisition periods with respect to the adaptation of the second count.