The life story of many motorists – being stuck in traffic, daily, for many hours. It’s amazing how stressful it can be when your car is creeping forward at a snail’s pace. Thus, we want to avoid this type of traffic at all costs. But how? Here are some tips for avoiding traffic in our daily commute to work.
WHEN SHOULD YOU TRAVEL?
The most obvious way to avoid traffic is to either leave before the traffic ‘wave’ or rush hour starts or after the ‘wave.’ You will save time and precious fuel in this way.
USE TRAVEL APPS
Waze is the best choice as a navigation app. The app calculates traffic density and the quickest routes available. In this way, you can avoid traffic jams.1,3
LISTEN TO TRAFFIC REPORTS ON THE RADIO
The radio is extremely informative regarding the latest traffic information – use it to your advantage.1
WHAT OTHER ROUTES CAN YOU USE?
You may suddenly find yourself caught in a nasty traffic jam when travelling on your normal commuting route. This could be due to a blocked lane, caused by an accident lying ahead. If approaching an off-ramp, you may be able to escape all this, using GPS. Familiarise yourself with other routes in your area, which you can switch to in an instant.1,3
MOTORISTS LEARN QUICKLY ABOUT OTHER ROUTES
Sometimes, when tempted to take another route, just remember that other motorists will most likely choose the same one, causing your escape route to clog up quickly. This is where the radio and the Waze app can guide you.
AVOID ROADS NEAR SPORTING EVENTS
Traffic near sporting events can cause serious congestion. Ensure there are no events taking place along a specific route you are intending to take.4
TRAVEL OVER WEEKENDS
When leaving Johannesburg to go on holiday in Durban, choose to leave over the weekend, when freeway traffic is minimal. Make sure that there is no major sports event taking place in Durban that weekend.4
WATCH OUT FOR ON-RAMPS FEEDING INTO THE FREEWAY
On-ramps feed into the slowest lane on the freeway, thereby causing a temporary build-up of traffic in that lane. When approaching such an off-ramp, choose the centre lanes to avoid congestion.4
CHECK THE WEATHER
Rainy weather slows down traffic considerably, and this can lead to serious congestion. If possible, travel a little later, when the weather has cleared.4
WHY NOT JOIN A LIFT CLUB?
Joining a lift club has several advantages, such as reducing traffic volume, saving fuel, and giving you a break from driving for a few days of the week.
BE ACCOMMODATING
In heavy traffic, clearly indicate at all times your intentions, such as changing lanes. Be courteous, and let other cars in that are struggling to do so. Be sure to leave a safe distance between your car and the one in front of you. This will allow you to have enough time to react. Otherwise, you may be the cause for congestion.4
Unless requested to do so, avoid slowing down to view any accidents. Even if you have been ‘trapped’, inadvertently, in bad traffic, you can deal with it in the following way.
CHANGE YOUR THINKING AND ATTITUDE
You can change a dreary and draining traffic experience into something positive. Change your complaining attitude into a thankful one. For starters, the fact that you have work to go to is already one thing you can be grateful for.2
CHOOSE TO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY
So often we blame circumstances on our demise, but it is choosing the right approach to circumstances that counts. You can turn waiting in traffic into a time of relaxation. It may be a good time to catch up with a loved one on your hands-free phone, or listen to some soothing, classical music or even possibly listen to an audio book. In a survey of 2 000 drivers,2 the relaxed drivers were those who listened to classical and popular music. Some studies2 have shown that soothing music takes away anxiety. Try it on your next trip to work.
When you realise how noisy, busy and interrupting home life as well as office activities can be, this is an ideal opportunity for you to have time out. You can contemplate on various issues without being disturbed.
Equipped with various plans, traffic tools, and armed with the right attitude, you are now able to escape traffic jams successfully. Should there be that one occasion when you are unable to escape bad traffic, you can still enjoy the journey.
How do we need to Drive to be Safe in Heavy Traffic? | Arrive Alive South Africa https://t.co/UG2HiVwWKD #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/1qdMocAQRF
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 24, 2016
Sources:
1 https://www.mapon.com/en/blog/2015/04/8-tips-to-help-you-avoid-traffic-jams
2 https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/08/commuting-stress_n_3530124.html
3 https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Traffic-Jams
4 https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Traffic
5 https://sandtonchronicle.co.za/183591/how-to-avoid-traffic-congestion-in-johannesburg/
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040 (car insurance and life cover products). The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.