Surviving Spring Break Traffic
Spring means warmer weather, longer days, and a lot more people giving in to their cabin fever and hitting the road for spring break vacations. For truck drivers, that means busier roads and the increased probability of traffic jams. Keep calm and safe this spring with these three tips.
1. Distance Yourself - Slow down and pace yourself. As much as possible, try to maintain a 6-7 second interval between you and the vehicle in front of you. It’s better to be slow and steady than risk slamming on your brakes.
2. Stay Alert - Smaller vehicles are more likely to weave through traffic or break suddenly. Make sure you aren’t distracted by the radio or a phone call, so you can focus your attention on the road ahead and be aware of your surroundings.
3. Communicate - With tight traffic comes little room to navigate. Be sure to use your turn signals when changing lanes. Cramped traffic can also ruffle feathers, so stay calm and polite, even if other drivers aren’t following the rules.
Driving in traffic jams are never any fun and adding a slew of beach-ready drivers doesn’t help matters. Keeping your cool may not change other drivers, but it will put you at ease and help you stay calm until the mad rush is over.