What helps avoid a crash when driving in rush hour traffic?

Okay, so, rush hour driving. Ugh. Who likes it, right? It’s a recipe for disaster if you’re not careful. I remember once, I was stuck in this jam on the 405 in LA – total standstill. Suddenly, BAM! Out of nowhere, the car in front of me slams on its brakes. Thankfully I was paying attention (for once, haha!) and had left enough space, or I would’ve been toast. So, what can you do to avoid becoming a rush hour statistic?

First off, avoid it entirely, if you can. I mean, seriously, think about it. Can you shift your schedule even a little? Maybe leave 30 minutes earlier or later? Even 15 minutes can make a HUGE difference. I used to leave for work at 7:30, and it was a nightmare. Then I switched to 7:00, and suddenly, my commute was so much smoother. It’s almost magical.

Secondly, space, people! Space! Don’t tailgate! This is HUGE. Like, imagine someone suddenly cuts in front of the car in front of you. If you’re right up their bumper, what are you gonna do? Not much. Keep a good following distance. I know it’s tempting to close the gap when someone’s going slow, but trust me, it’s not worth it. I try to follow the “three-second rule” – pick a landmark and count how many seconds it takes you to reach it after the car in front passes it. It’s way safer, seriously.

And finally, just… pay attention! I know, it sounds obvious, but it’s easy to get complacent, especially when you’re stuck in traffic for what feels like forever. But rush hour is when people get impatient, they make stupid decisions, and, well, accidents happen. Put your phone down (duh!), look ahead, check your mirrors – be aware of everything around you. Are there any construction zones up ahead? Is that guy in the next lane looking a little… erratic? You just never know. Being alert can be the difference between getting home safely and, well, you know.