Rush Hour Without the Stress

For the millions of Americans that commute to work, rush hour can be one of the most painfully long and stressful parts of the day. In fact, the average American spends more than 47 hours per year stuck in traffic, up significantly from 1982 (source: Texas Transportation Institute). In addition to severely congested roadways, we also have more distractions that are creating more opportunities for accidents than ever before.

With everyone on edge and in a rush to either get to work or get home, rush hour is one of the most dangerous driving times, according to a recent Forbes study. However, it doesn’t have to be. Follow these tips to reduce stress and get to your destination safely and happily and let us know about your tips on dealing with rush hour!

1. Avoid distractions – Although you probably have many errands to take care of, follow-up phone calls to make or an enticing meal to eat on-the-go, distractions while driving can lead to serious consequences for you and other people on the road. Using your cell phone while driving is so distracting, that many states have made it illegal. Instead of multi-tasking, use the time in your car to de-stress and relax.

   Check out this related post for the Top 10 Distractions for New Drivers, which is also helpful information for experienced drivers.

2. Extra caution at intersections – While you are a responsible, law abiding citizen, other drivers may not be as careful. When your light turns green, make sure the roads are clear before proceeding. Keep in mind that in stop-and-go traffic, many drivers may linger in the intersection, so green does not always mean go-go-go. By keeping your eyes open beyond the car directly ahead of you, you may be able to avoid the stress of a costly accident.

3. Go with the speed of traffic – Following the speed limit is the legal and responsible thing to do, however, driving slower than the speed of other cars around you can also lead to serious accidents. Keep up with the flow of traffic, if possible, but if even going the speed limit makes you feel uncomfortable, drive in the outermost right lane. Driving significantly faster than traffic also makes the road more dangerous for others around you, so use the cars around you as an indication to how fast you should be going and you’ll be feeling and causing less stress on the drive home.

4. Follow the three second rule – Leaving a safe distance between your vehicle and others on the road will give you enough time to adjust to out-of-no-where situations on the road. Follow the three second rule to ensure you are a safe distance from the car in front of you. To determine this distance, first select a fixed object on the road ahead (like a tree or traffic sign). When the vehicle in front of you passes the object, slowly count “one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand.” If you reach the object before finishing the count, you should slow down. If you give yourself enough time to react to any problems in front of you, you’ll be breathing easier.

5. Avoid Aggressive driving -While you may think you can beat the traffic by fast starts, speeding and lane hopping, the truth is, you can’t. Aggressive driving not only significantly decreases your gas mileage, but will also lead to unnecessary stress and tension. By respecting other drivers and maintaining a positive attitude, you can arrive home safely and enjoy your drive back without potentially dangerous altercations.

   Check out FrienderBenders.com for some dangerous drivers in your neighborhood.

6. Leave earlier, get there faster – By traveling earlier or later, you may be able to avoid peak rush-hour times. Stop-and-go traffic is not fuel efficient and can be a major headache, so by leaving just five or ten minutes early (or even taking a different route altogether), you may be able to avoid traffic congestion and increase your fuel efficiency to save money.

7. Plan your route ahead of time – If you live in a place where Google Maps has traffic information, check out the map before you head off. You might be able to skip the traffic jam!

Tagged as: Driving, Rush Hour, Traffic