How to Avoid Being Stuck in Traffic

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By MrBB
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Article Rating: (6 Ratings)

Avoid Being Stuck in Traffic

Unless you enjoy the smell of exhaust or rolling between 0 and 5 MPH being stuck in traffic isn't fun for anyone. There are some things you can do to reduce your time spent in traffic jams.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

First, find out what your options for public transportation are in your area. Using trains and subways will cut down on your time spent frustrated behind the wheel. Even if you are stuck in traffic on a bus you can spend that time reading or working on a laptop instead of swearing at people who cut in front of you.
Step 2

Explore car pooling in your area. If you live near coworkers this is the best. As in the bus example above, you may still be in traffic but at least you wont be the one driving in it every day. And if enough people did this it would reduce the amount of traffic on the roads.
Step 3

Know the alternate traffic routes you can take to work and back home. Don't just assume the biggest highway is the most efficient route for you to take. Experiment with alternate routes on your way home or use mapquest for alternate suggestions. Sometimes just a slight adjustment on the back roads can save you time and frustration because everyone else is using the route you would normally take.
Step 4

Next, ask your employer about flexible hours. If you normally work from 8:30 to 5 then ask if you can work from 7:30 to 4 or 9:30 to 6. This will help you avoid the peak traffic times. Granted if you work 9:30 to 6 you will get to work and back home a little later but at least you wont be as stressed in the process.
Step 5

Adding on the previous step, ask your employer if you can work from home one or two days a week. If you job doesn't require a lot of face to face interaction with coworkers or clients then this may be a worthwhile option. You will just need to be sure your computer has good security on it if you will be connecting to your work's network remotely.
Step 6

Also aware of the school bus schedule's and routes near your home and work. Having to drive past a school or getting stuck behind an elementary school bus are sure ways to increase your commuting time. Even if an alternate route ads a mile or two to your commute it will at least be a mile spent moving faster than 10 MPH.
Step 7

Finally, if your commute isn't too far and you really want to get crazy you can walk or ride your bike to work. Not only will this cut down on the time you are stuck behind the wheel, but it will improve your health too.

Comments

Elizabethknows said

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on 9/12/2009 seems like this would be so much easier taking a bus than getting mad behind the wheel! 5*

on 9/8/2009 Love your resourceful (and quite green) ideas! The school bus is a major slowdown -- as are the milk tankers I get behind on country roads in the dairyland! Thanks for the sensible and innovative solutions!

harvard said

on 9/6/2009 I think you've just "built a better mousetrap" and a green one, moreover. I vote for car pooling. Looking around at cars that seat six with one person in it makes a statement that environmentally conscious people hear loud and clear. Car pooling would kill many birds with one stone. Thank you.