Dealing with traffic

28 August, 2018

Is there anything more annoying than getting stuck in traffic? It seems to happen all too often and if you need to travel around on a regular basis, there’s very little you can do to avoid it. The best we can do is to try and deal with it when it happens. Here are a few pointers to help you manage.

Be prepared
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Keep an eye out for factors that may affect traffic, such as poor weather, events like concerts or matches, or roadworks. Even taking the time of day into account can help. Is traffic especially bad at certain times in certain areas in your locality? If so, plan ahead and take an alternate route.
Slow down
It can be tempting to power on when you see a break in traffic but be careful: cars ahead could come to a halt quickly and take you by surprise.
Use your indicators
Indicators are always important but that’s especially true when there are lots of cars around. You need to let other motorists know what you’re doing.
Don’t weave
When driving on motorways, don’t change lanes unless it’s absolutely necessary. Weaving in and out of traffic is extremely dangerous as it makes it very hard for other drivers to predict what you’re going to do next.
Keep a safe distance
You’re eager to get where you’re going, that’s understandable. But edging right up to within two inches of the car ahead of you isn’t going to help. Leave an appropriate space. You never know when they might back up, either accidentally or out of necessity.
Avoid distractions
Put the phone down! Even if you’re driving slowly, you’re still driving. Not only is using your device behind the wheel against the law, it significantly increases your likelihood of being involved in an accident.
Stay cool
One of the most trying aspects of being stuck in traffic is managing your frustration. If you find yourself getting worked up, take deep breaths and relax. Losing your temper isn’t going to get you home any faster.
Take a break
If things are getting too much for you, don’t be afraid to pull over at a shop or other appropriate location and take a break. If traffic is heavy you might not be getting anywhere fast anyway. Take a moment to yourself and reset. Traffic is annoying but it’s not worth stressing over too much.