![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.privatefleet.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/traffic-jam.jpg\" "\\"traffic")
<\/a><\/p>\nSometimes, the findings of all these experts may come as a bit of a surprise to the average driver.\u00a0 To take one example, I\u2019m thinking of an intersection near my place.\u00a0 At the moment, it\u2019s got a roundabout (with a single-lane circuit) that gets a lot of cars, trucks, pedestrians and cyclists going through it every day, plus a few buses.\u00a0 During the morning and evening rush \u201chours\u201d, the traffic backs up for several hundred metres, and more than one driver looks at all the cyclists and pedestrians whizzing past them and wonders why on earth the local Powers That Be don\u2019t put in a set of traffic lights instead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Well, the reason why they won\u2019t put in traffic lights is probably for a very simple reason: sure, the traffic\u2019s really bad during rush hour, but the rest of the time, there\u2019s no problem.\u00a0 Traffic lights work all the time, so even if things go a bit more quickly during these busy periods with the lights installed, you\u2019re going to end up with someone sitting at a red light waiting for ages with nothing on any of the other roads \u2013 another thing that really bugs drivers.\u00a0 So don\u2019t stew next time you get stuck in a queue of snails \u2013 the experts are doing their best and it\u2019s impossible to please everybody all of the time.<\/p>\n
So what can you do to prevent the dreaded snail crawl and the frustration of sitting in a long queue of traffic?\u00a0 Sometimes, you just have to be patient and put up with it, frustrating as congestion may be, but at times, you can take action.\u00a0 How about the following?<\/p>\n
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- If your work situation allows it, change your travel time to avoid the busiest period.\u00a0 Depending on where you are, half an hour can make a huge difference between traffic going at a crawl and almost empty roads.\u00a0 Web cams on traffic websites (such as this one for Sydney<\/a>) can help you plan when to go.<\/li>\n
- Look for alternate routes, even if they go through a few more twists, turns and corners. \u00a0It may be longer on the map, but you won\u2019t take as long driving.\u00a0 You may need to switch off the GPS for this, depending on the type you have.<\/li>\n
- Car pool to work or when taking kids to school.\u00a0 If fewer cars are using the road during rush hour, less congestion is likely.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Look at other transport options \u2013 can you or your kids bike, bus or walk to your destination? If the traffic\u2019s busy and the journey\u2019s short, walking or biking can sometimes be quicker than using the car.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n