How to Survive Rush Hour Traffic

The most favorite time of the day: rush hour. This is when everyone is in a huge hurry to go nowhere. Although most drivers expect to sit in traffic this time of day, they still seem to be ticked off anyway. Sharing the highway with these drivers can be a very interesting situation to say the least.

With too many vehicles on the highways and not enough roadway, traffic jams are breeding grounds for accidents. Patience is soon exhausted, and tempers flare when the automobile is used to vent pent up frustrations. So what in the world can you do to escape the insanity of it all, and still drive safely in rush hour?

Here are a few suggestions to help you to stay safe and calm as the traffic weaves in and out like a swarm of African bees.

Awareness

Your mental awareness is the number one factor for your safety during rush hour traffic. Now is not the time for a heated conversation on the phone, or changing out of your work clothes. Now is the time to co-exist with hundreds of impatient and aggravated drivers trying desperately to get somewhere.

Inform yourself of the existing road conditions ahead of you. Check your GPS if you have one on the vehicle, or tune into an A.M radio channel for the latest traffic information. Another way to survive rush hour traffic is to seek an alternate route asap when an accident is blocking the highway.

Watch the flow of traffic, and the areas around your vehicle for any unsafe maneuvers. Be conscious of your speed, and also the speeds of the vehicles in front of you, and also behind you. This will help to prevent collisions from the front, and the rear.

Never expect anyone driving in this type of traffic to do the expected. Always be prepared for a quick evasive maneuver in case a situation arises. This defensive driving technique helps to increase your reaction time in preventing a collision. If possible also be aware of all of the vehicles that are traveling beside you.

Communicate your Intentions

The ability to see and understand what another vehicle's intentions are is the key to safe driving. Using your turn signals correctly and avoiding abrupt stops are two factors which helps to prevent accidents when heavy traffic exists. Don't immediately jump in front of another vehicle, make sure that the driver sees your turn signal and room is available before you change lanes.

Following distance

Tailgating in heavy traffic is an accident waiting to happen. Always be sure to leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Although in this type of traffic any "extra" distance is always invaded by other vehicles trying to make their way through the traffic jam.

Avoid road rage

The ability to stay calm and collected helps the mind to remain focused on the task at hand. When impatience begins to wear thin on the highways road rage can change mere driving into a dangerous situation. Avoiding aggressive drivers is sometimes almost impossible to do.

Try to distance yourself from cars running in a pack. As you distance yourself from these vehicles you not only respect their space, but you also create a safer following distance. If someone gives you a few hand jesters, or relates some rather uninteresting facts to you; ignore it. By all means don't provoke these temperamental drivers.

Stress can build up during the day, and the moment some people get into their cars it's time to unload all of their bottled up frustrations. Now, anyone in their way is just a pawn in the road of life. Avoiding these people on the highways is a great way to behave during your daily commute.

Patience and Courtesy

Both of these emotions will help to ease your stress during the rush hour traffic. A little common courtesy goes a long way when traveling on the highways. Slow down and let someone over when you see their turn signal on, it only takes a second out of your day to do this.

Allow yourself some extra time when you know you'll be traveling during rush hour. With this mind frame you not only expect this delay, but your mind will also eventually adapt to it. Now as you avoid any quick evasive maneuvers in your vehicle, you'll not only be safer on your commute, but you might even enjoy the ride.