Dealing With Heavy Traffic

It is becoming increasingly apparent that Orange County’s traffic problems are insoluble. However, by accepting that the problem will not simply disappear, we can start to make our lives a little easier by modifying our driving habits. I would like to share a few tips I have picked up in my 140-mile daily round-trip commute:

Keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your mind on driving. Sounds simple, but you’d be amazed at how many times I see men shaving or women applying eye shadow at 65 m.p.h. Driving is serious business--please approach it that way.

Get out of the way. If you’re in the left-hand lane and you’re not passing somebody, somebody is probably trying to pass you. By remaining in the fast lane, you are causing those behind you to pass on the right, which is a far greater traffic hazard than simply driving fast in a straight line.

Avoid rubbernecking. There is nothing more frustrating than getting stuck behind some clown who slows down to gawk at somebody else’s misfortune. Doesn’t that idiot know that he’s causing a similar accident two miles behind him as we all stand on our brakes?

Accelerate uphill, decelerate downhill. Most drivers seem to lock their right ankle into place once they enter the freeway. This causes them to slow below 55 m.p.h. on inclines and shoot along at 75 m.p.h. downhill. Pay attention! If you’re slowing down, step on the gas. If you’re speeding up, ease up on the gas.

I realize these all sound ridiculously simple, but I feel they’re justified in light of the competence level I see on the freeways. The bottom line is that we all have to live together with our traffic problem, and a few common driving courtesies would make it much safer and tolerable.

JEFF MITCHELL

Trabuco Canyon