One
of the most frequent factors behind collisions is the "jackrabbit"
driver. He's the guy who's constantly changing speeds, changing lanes,
tailgating, and otherwise not fitting into traffic. Other often interrelated
causes of traffic collisions are "disparate" vehicle speeds
(when one driver is driving much faster than others), impatience, and
frequent lane changes.
If you observe traffic way out in front of you, you
can visualize what the "flow" of traffic is, as a whole. Visualize
traffic as a single, giant organism, like a river. There will be vehicles
within the overall picture (or flow) that are traveling faster, and some
slower, but you can see what the overall pace of traffic is.
You may be surprised to know that the actual pace
of traffic is not that much faster than the speed limit. One of the principles
engineers use when setting a speed limit is to consider what speed a normal,
reasonable driver actually drives on that particular stretch. Try to match
your speed to the overall flow (without exceeding the speed limit by more
than a few miles per hour). That said, you must be willing to accept the
fact that traveling faster than a posted limit puts you at risk for a
citation. But usually, if you are within just a few miles per hour of
a speed limit, officers will not bother you, with some obvious exceptions
like school zones and construction areas where a posted limit is viewed
as an absolute.
Practice my "tortoise" style of driving!
Pick your lane, and stay in it. Bopping and weaving from one lane to another,
trying to pass every car on the road doesn't gain you much, and every
single lane change you make increases your risk of collision. As I
commute each day, I know which lane is the best for travel under normal
circumstances. This may be the lane that I know becomes my exit ramp 5
miles up the road, or it may simply be the lane that flows better most
of the time. Often, I choose on the basis of safety. On my motorcycle,
for example, I ride in the far right lane (at a slower speed) or in the
"car pool lane" for its faster flow, and the "escape"
path afforded by the left (or right) shoulder. (In my state, it is legal
for motorcycles to use the car pool lanes).
Relax, resist the urge to make frequent lane changes,
use the two-second rule, and stay alert to the
dangers posed by the jack rabbits around you! If someone needs to merge
into the lane, back off a bit and let them in smoothly. In doing this,
you are not only maintaining the flow, but you also set an example that
others will follow. When you refuse to allow another driver to merge,
the person behind you does the same thing. When you act courteously, the
driver behind you ALSO will, and that helps keep traffic moving. I've
seen repeatedly how discourtesy causes many of the bottlenecks that gridlock
traffic every day.
Practice my "tortoise" style of driving,
and, nine times out of ten, you will arrive at your destination just as
quickly as the "jackrabbit." You will also not be nearly as
stressed by the trip, whether it is a commute to work on Monday a.m.,
or a road trip to Shangri-La!
Keep the shiny side up! Next week: Test for hydroplaning.
<Rule
#27: Get Rid on Tailgaters
Rule #29: Check for Hyproplaning>
