Critical thinking. Because of the large factory that recently opened in the middle of town, the interstate highway that commuters used to return to the suburbs after work has become heavily congested during the $4$ P$.$M$.$ to $7$ P$.$M$.$ rush hour. On several occasions, ambulances have been delayed on the highway. Many ambulances have started using the city streets instead of the highway during rush hour, which has resulted in at least one collision between an ambulance and a passenger car. Which one of the following can be directly inferred $($implied$)$ from the facts in the passage above?

A$.$

Before traffic on the highway became congested, ambulances using the highway were not delayed during the evening rush hour.

B$.$

Before the opening of the large factory, evening rush hour traffic was not congested.

C$.$

The opening of the large factory contributed to at least one traffic accident.

D$.$

Many of the workers at the new factory live in the suburbs.

E$.$

There is at least one collision that would have been avoided if an ambulance had not been delayed on the highway during the evening rush$-$hour.