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The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

blogs.reuters.com

21–30 of 62 posts

Re: The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

#21
Switching lanes in dense traffic does reduce flow and increase everyone's commute time. Cutting across a couple of lanes, exiting the road and then merging back in a few blocks later is even worse. If more people thought of driving as team-work rather than a race we'd all spend less time in traffic. This fellow argues that behavior that slows traffic down is a good idea because if makes him feel good. I'm sorry buddy, but you're an idiot. You're taking actions that do not benefit you and harm me because you lack the mental discipline to relax and stop treating traffic like a race.

Here is a suggestion for those of you who are currently like this guy but are willing to try driving smart for a change: Don't alternate days. Get into one lane and stay there and continue to do so for a couple of weeks. Listen to the radio. Think about stuff you need to think about. Zen the #$%^ out. Once you unlearn your moron-driver habits you'll arrive at your destination a lot less stressed out and you'll have the peace of mind that you're not one of the morons adding to the problem.

Re: The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

#22
post #11

> This is important: the really painful part of being stuck in traffic is not, really, the actual amount of time that it takes to get from Point A to Point B. Rather, it’s the “stuck” bit. I've noticed this tends to not matter so much if you're not the one driving, more so if you're in the backseat. Self-drive cars anyone?

Or the lower technology version that's available today: public transportation.

Re: The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

#23
Related observation: I have an hour/hour-and-half commute, and I've noticed in particular that it doesn't pay off in any noticeable way to speed (~10-15 over) on the interstate. At best you shave off a few minutes, but those saved minutes can easily be eaten back up by traffic and traffic lights in the non-interstate parts of the commute.

Re: The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

#24

What I dislike about traffic isn't the delay so much as the cognitive load. I will often take a temporally longer route if it means I am not constantly watching for lane-changers cutting in front of me and then suddenly braking.

This is why driving is exhausting. There's always a few people who, evidently lacking any real stimulation in their lives, feel the need to constantly jockey for positions on the road, endangering everyone around them for a mere ego trip. It seems like many of these drivers view their driving habits as reflections on them as a person; e.g. they cannot appear weak by yielding to others (even if yielding produces an op…

Haha, so true. A while back I settled into the 'average traffic speed plus large gap' mode. Less braking, lower clutch use, and more pleasant driving.

As a bonus, I get to feel superior to everyone not employing this strategy.

Re: The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

#25
post #21

Switching lanes in dense traffic does reduce flow and increase everyone's commute time. Cutting across a couple of lanes, exiting the road and then merging back in a few blocks later is even worse. If more people thought of driving as team-work rather than a race we'd all spend less time in traffic. This fellow argues that behavior that slows traffic down is a good idea because if makes him feel good. I'm sorry buddy…

I do agree that it isn't the best idea, but I find name-calling the worst way to support an argument.

Re: The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

#26
post #21

Switching lanes in dense traffic does reduce flow and increase everyone's commute time. Cutting across a couple of lanes, exiting the road and then merging back in a few blocks later is even worse. If more people thought of driving as team-work rather than a race we'd all spend less time in traffic. This fellow argues that behavior that slows traffic down is a good idea because if makes him feel good. I'm sorry buddy…

How about not going the route of "zen the #$%^ out." I prefer the drivers around me to be aware of their surroundings and conscious of their driving, not lost in dreamworld.

Re: The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

#27
post #20
post #19

What I do in crawling traffic is stay in 1st gear at a steady pace and stay in the same lane to reduce the annoyance of starting & stopping so much. You'll notice that large semi trucks do this too. It really benefits everyone if more people did this.

The hardest part about that is remaining sane as idiots cut in front and undermine this strategy

[deleted]

Re: The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

#28
post #11

> This is important: the really painful part of being stuck in traffic is not, really, the actual amount of time that it takes to get from Point A to Point B. Rather, it’s the “stuck” bit. I've noticed this tends to not matter so much if you're not the one driving, more so if you're in the backseat. Self-drive cars anyone?

No thanks, I love to drive. Even as ridiculous as other drivers can be, I love to drive.

Driving brings with it challenges. Strategy, skill, timing, spacial recognition, etc. It also brings with it a pure feeling of freedom. I believe driving is under-appreciated and that leads to the terrible driving habits exhibited daily. Those who dont care, those who arent even driving but day dreaming, doing makeup, reading, using the phone, etc. It is under-appreciation coupled with lack of respect for being in control of a 2000LB+ piece of metal and fuel that can make driving seem like a chore rather than a joy.

Re: The utility of switching lanes when stuck in traffic

#29
post #21

Switching lanes in dense traffic does reduce flow and increase everyone's commute time. Cutting across a couple of lanes, exiting the road and then merging back in a few blocks later is even worse. If more people thought of driving as team-work rather than a race we'd all spend less time in traffic. This fellow argues that behavior that slows traffic down is a good idea because if makes him feel good. I'm sorry buddy…

How about not going the route of "zen the #$%^ out." I prefer the drivers around me to be aware of their surroundings and conscious of their driving, not lost in dreamworld.

zen != daydreaming
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