Explaining the driving habits, traffic behavior and highway mistakes that make the road worse for everyone.
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Traffic can suddenly slow to a crawl even when there is no accident, construction, or lane closure. These “phantom traffic jams” are often caused by small braking events that ripple backward through traffic.
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Traffic can suddenly slow to a crawl even when there is no accident, construction, or lane closure. These “phantom traffic jams” are often caused by small braking events that ripple backward through traffic.
A zipper merge means using both lanes until the merge point, then taking turns one vehicle at a time. It often feels wrong to drivers who merge early, but in heavy traffic it can shorten backups and reduce speed differences between lanes.
If you are already driving the speed limit, do you still have to move out of the left lane for faster traffic? The answer depends on state law, traffic conditions, and how passing-lane rules are written.
Many drivers assume the left lane is simply another travel lane. In many situations, though, state laws and basic lane discipline expect slower or non-passing traffic to move right.
Why do some drivers stay in the left lane even when traffic is piling up behind them? The answer usually involves habits, misunderstandings about passing lanes, speed limits, and simple lack of awareness.
Traffic isn't always caused by too many cars. Sometimes it's caused by the way we drive them. We explore the habits, rules and everyday decisions that determine whether traffic keeps moving or comes to a frustrating stop.