Tips To Handle Rush Hour Traffic

Rush hour traffic can be a real hassle — and dangerous. If you live in a congested metro area, chances are you are all too familiar with the stop-and-go traffic that plagues the cities we live in. Frustrating as it may be, it’s important to remember that rush hour traffic also brings unique dangers. With so many cars close to another, one mistake can easily turn into a big problem. Here are some tips for handling rush hour traffic unscathed.

Slow Your Roll

Make sure you keep your speed down when there are cars all around you. You never know when someone might merge or brake on a dime. Slowing down will help you stop quickly.

Stay in your lane.

Don’t be “that” driver on the road, constantly swerving and switching lanes. Not only is it dangerous but by most measures doesn’t get you to your destination any quicker. Plan ahead if you need to change lanes to avoid passing through several lanes at once.

Eyes On The Road

This should be obvious but keeping your eyes on the road, away from any distractions, is especially important when dealing with traffic. Messing with the radio or checking your cell phone can feel innocent enough but often leads to a collision. The space between vehicles is so limited in traffic, one false  move can lead to disaster.

Breathing room

Always give yourself some space between you and the car in front of you. Doing so will provide you ample time to brake if need be. Use the 3-second rule — picking a fixed object and make sure there is a three second difference between the time the vehicle in front of you reaches it and the time you reach it. 

Keep your cool.

Other drivers can be frustrating during rush hour, but it’s important to remain calm and avoid aggressive driving. Becoming aggravated will not help the situation in any way and aggressive driving is said to cause 4% of fatal auto accidents – so avoid those actions at all costs.

When people are late to work or ready to go home, they can become a real nuisance. It’s natural to be irritated as you sit in traffic or when your 15 minute trip has turned into an hour-long excursion. Stay calm, getting angry will just lead to mistakes and possibly an accident.