No one likes it. Everyone gets stuck in it and, if you let it, it can ruin your day. Traffic has gotten under the skin of even the calmest people and keeping your cool when bumper-to-bumper can be challenging.
However, there are a few things you can do to take some of the pain out of waiting in traffic.
-
Keep your favourite music on hand
Whether it is that playlist your friend made on your last road trip or your favourite albums, make sure you have access to plenty of music. Try singing along, it beats staring at the taillights in front of you.
- Don’t take it personally
Sure, that guy who just cut you off may be seem like the bane of your existence at the time. But they are probably just like you and trying to get out of the traffic as soon as possible. Getting worked up or angry with other drivers will do nothing to speed up the congestion.
- Hands off the car horn
Making excess noise will just contribute to the frustrating environment around you. Car horns should only be used when necessary, to warn people of danger. It is not meant to be a channel for you to air your frustrations.
- Allow time for traffic in your schedule
If you are heading through major roads during peak hour allocate yourself extra travel time to compensate for traffic. Leaving it late to drive will also cause extra stress on you, even before you hit traffic.
- Look at alternate routes
If you know that your journey is likely to include congestion, then take a look at alternate ways of getting there. Take the scenic route. It may be longer but at least you will be moving and taking in some sights, rather than standing still in traffic.
- Check out the situation before leaving
Look up the traffic report, check for any planned road works and look out for any word of an accident. If you do a little bit of research before leaving, it could save you hours of waiting.
- Slow down and keep steady
Zig-zagging around lanes to try and find the best one wont actually get you much further and adds to the congestion, as people brake to let you in. Keep your speed steady and you will also help avoid any potential collisions.
Everybody knows how annoying traffic can be but there is very little you can do to change it, so just stay calm and drive patiently. If you are driving with a friend, try taking it in turns to drive or play a game. If you follow some of these tips hopefully the next time you get stuck wont seem as bad or, even better, you can avoid the hold up all-together.
Traffic is even worse when you’re driving a beat down car or are in public transport. At the very least, you should be comfortable in your vehicle while in a jam. For comfortable and reliable cars, book a car hire from Alpha.