Metro DC driving

Like half a million other folks in the immediate DC environs I battle one of the nations worst commutes almost daily. The commute doesn't need to be as awful as it is though. There are little things we can all do to make it just a little less stressful. I figure it is worth noting them here just on the off chance that someone reading them takes them to heart.

Rule #1. Don't be an asshole. This is a macro rule. A lot of DC drivers are, by nature, assholes so I don't expect much for this one. Suffice to say it is an overarching guideline.

Rule #2. Merge lanes are there for a reason. Merge at the first opportunity, don't ride them to the end force everyone to come to a full stop and then try to merge. This idiocy costs us all in terms of time, stress, and gas. A smooth steady merge where every car in a driving lane lets one merger in saves us all time. The folks who can't abide by rule #1 are thinking " but I want to get to the front, it saves me time". I have done repeated empirical studies on this and you are wrong. All you are doing is slowing everyone down, including yourself.

Rule #3. Slower cars keep right. No brainer.

Rule #4. (Corollary to three) If you are in the left lane going parallel to someone in the right either pass them and move right or get behind them. Don't make everyone else suffer for your indecision.

Rule #5. Parking lanes are not "passing lanes on the right". 95 times out of 100 this is a stupid action (see rule 2 for logic).

Rule #6. If the sign says "no left turn", chances are there is a reason (two, actually, safety and flow of traffic). If, for example, a sign tells you not to take a left on 8th St., NW off Constitution during rush hour, don't try to. It just aggregates other drivers. Plus, 7th st., NW has a turning light! GRAY LINE DOUBLE DECKER BUSES TAKE HEED!!!

Rule #7. If someone has their turn signal on and you are in steady traffic, do the courteous thing and let them turn or pass. What does it cost you? We are all stuck in the same traffic, regardless of whether you are one car length ahead or one behind.

Rule #8. USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL. When you are turning, use your signal, it just make sense. Even more critical, when changing lanes, USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL. I know that the folks who can't abide by rule #1 are thinking "If I use my turn signal when I want to change lanes the guy in the lane I am merging into will try to block me out." This is true only when the other party is also unable to follow rule #1. Do we see the importance of rule #1 yet? It has implications on multiple levels here in rule #8. Regardless of one's ability to follow rule 1 though, think of it in these terms; If you signal the chance of having an accident while accelerating, resulting in certain lost time, likely lost car, and possible lost life is greatly reduced.


There we have it, 8 simple rules for making all our commutes just a little more pleasant.

Cheers!