Whether you have just recently received your license, are planning on receiving it soon, or have had your license for many years, you are likely to get packed in or stuck between cars on the road at some point.
Traffic is unavoidable for most people. The majority of our society heads to work, school, and other responsibilities all at the same time. And many of those people head home around the same time as well. Rush hour traffic is not the only traffic you will regularly encounter on the road. You will often come across traffic because of road work, closures, and car wrecks. If there is something large or popular happening in town, you may also see some traffic before or after the event. In July, if you are heading to the coast to celebrate Independence Day, you will likely encounter traffic on those roads as well.
All that to say, traffic is common and we all experience it. That does not make it any less inconvenient, frustrating, and at times nerve-wracking. Driving in traffic can bring out anxiety or nerves in even the most experienced drivers, so here are a few ways to alleviate some of the stress:
Plan ahead. If you know there is going to be any inclement weather or another cause for a chance for traffic, it is best to plan ahead and leave earlier than you might think. Being able to take your time because you left in plenty of time can help alleviate nerves and stress while you are surrounded by other drivers.
Remove any distractions. This is a key point in any tip list for safe driving. Having distractions no matter the setting can be the cause of accidents or additional traffic. Make sure phones and loud music do not impede your ability to drive safely in the line of traffic.
Drive proactively and defensively. Watch the road carefully so you can be ahead of any potential accidents or collisions. Do not expect other drivers to have your and anyone else’s safety in mind. Most drivers are thinking about how they can get to their location as fast as they can. Safety may not be at the forefront of their minds.
Slow down. It is always easier to be safer when you are driving slower. It is much easier to slow down and hit the brakes if you are already driving at a more leisurely pace. Driving in a rushed manner makes it harder to brake as you need to. It also keeps you from having the right amount of space between you and the drivers in front and back of you.
Keep your cool. Getting hot-headed leads to rushed and offensive driving. If you have planned ahead and left when you needed to, there is no need to rush and get flustered at the wheel.
Driving can be frustrating. You do not get to control the behavior of others and you do not have a say in the road conditions or how much traffic you will encounter. Keeping cool and slowing down is a surefire way to stay as safe as possible in that potentially infuriating traffic.
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