How One Driver Can Prevent a Traffic Jam

A growing body of research suggests individual drivers can have an impact on traffic jams. Some experts say pile ups can even be prevented by one driver leaving a gap in front of his or her car. Photo:iStock

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[Jabid]

It all boils down to not being selfish on the freeway.
1. Leave enough space to react and not overbrake. The trick is for you not to brake harder than the car in front of you, but the opposite so you can smoothly slow down; by the time you finish braking you are safely behind the other car. If you tailgate, you end up braking harder than the car in front and start the wave. Some people try to do that but miserably fail because they decide to leave two car lengths in front of them even when they are stopped.
2. Be nice and let people merge into the lane by opening up space or moving away from the right lane for freeway on ramps.
3. Keep a steady pace. You can do that just by using gas pedals. You don't always need to accelerate and brake. It surprises me how many people floor the gas and then brake when they get too close to the car in front of them.
4. Stop being a left lane hog. That is the one that frustrates most drivers and does keep the freeway from moving efficiently.

[genericusername]

but if you don't rush into the gap, 5 cars next to you will think you a sucker and get in front cause it looks like they've found the golden lane that their momma always promised them they deserve

[Daschickenify]

This is one of the techniques of hypermiling. There is many drivers who overbrake and have awful reaction times, tons of the traffic is completely avoidable. From personal experience, the effect of one driver being smooth in heavy Atlanta traffic extends back about 10 cars. Its no miracle, but it helps.

[joeb]

This is absolutely correct. Voice of experience- 2, 000, 000+ miles on L.A. freeways over 40+ years

[blazed-watch]

Even in New York you can give space. You may not be popular among the plebs, but your insurance rates will go down ;)

[michaelmarquis]

plain and simple, you cannot go faster than the car in front of you. if there are 10, 00 cars in front of you all hitting the brakes what is the point of trying to go "fast". me, i leave more space that way I never have to hit the brakes and traffic starts to flow much more smoothly.

[mountainhobo]

[Keeping the space in front of you] -- This is what my dad told me when I was a kid. Seems people have known this since days immemorial, yet surprisingly so few follow this simple rule today.

[tmanepic]

Stay on the rightmost lane except to pass, and maintain proper following distance to avoid braking whenever the person in front of you taps the brakes. Two simple things that would prevent a massive amount of traffic hold-ups. But of course, this is America, and the "I do what I want" mentality always trumps logic and reason.

[rikilshah]

This idea is actually practical. Keeping calm during driving is the best remedy for accidents and traffic problems.

[xeroxre]

Failure to allow merge should be penalised by immediate loss of license and 500 year ban.

[Milosz_Ostrow]

I agree with William Beaty completely, and I've observed what he describes while traveling in dense commuter traffic over several decades. However, no matter how good a few individuals are in trying to smooth traffic flow, there are plenty of selfish dunderheads who do their level best to cause disruptions and traffic jams. I blame it largely on inadequate driver training, people who never learn how to properly drive on expressways and freeways. It only works if motorists cooperate.

[ail]

People are selfish and uninformed. Bad habits die hard. There may be ways to ease traffic jams, but probably won't happen until we get self driving cars that follow pre-programmed rules.

[DougHNuts-eevn]

I'm a professional driver and this is exactly what I concluded a few years ago so THANKS for making this video!

[JR-hefn]

I do this but stupid drivers in the lane next to me all bunch in because they think my lane is faster because of the huge gap

[jnrldr]

Civil engineers in the transportation industry have known this for years. This is not news. I first heard this reviewing traffic models on hurricane evacuation routes during a storm.

[GoldenTV]

They should really teach this in drivers ed before getting your license.

[w-is]

Prevent a Traffic Jam by not letting human drive. Make it all AI driver.

[gravity]

Merge at the END of the merge, like a zipper, not all along the merge space. Of course the next driver to come along will drive down the EMPTY merge lane, to the merge point. Not their fault all the other people changed lanes before the merge.

Like a zipper. It only zips at one point, not simultaneously along the whole length. The "slider" stays at the merge point, and the teeth (the cars) move through the slider.

[syedazharsyedibrahim]

To give or not to give (way to other cars) that is the question!!
1. Moving at steady speed with ample space in front and give way to cars around you - The cars behind you will fume and think you are a slow coach. Many cars will take advantage over your "generosity". Some will be thankful and you will help them towards having a nice day. Some may even feel soo good that they will give to others what you gave considerate.
You will use less fuel because your car glides instead of accelerate and brakes. The cars in your lane behind you although may move a bit slower will also glide along giving them a smoother ride. You also make the road safer and the drive less stressful.

2. You tail him as close as you safely can, preventing any car from cutting in front of you - You probably do get to your destination faster by perhaps 5- 15%. There will be the series of acceleration and brakes, a bumpy ride for your passengers, a faster wear and tear to your vehicle. Some drivers will think not so nicely of you. You reinforce the idea and feeling that the road is unsafe and stressful to others. Many will copy your style of driving and becomes more "anxious" when on roads.

which one you want to be. Currently in your everyday road experience, these 2 types are always there. If there are more drivers of the 1st attitude, then you will have a pleasant drive. If you have more of the 2nd drivers, well its going to be a rough day.

Have a pleasant day!!

[CatarineausArmory]

The ONE solution that would solve ALL the traffic problems is simple. Pay attention to what you are doing.