Tips for Driving During Rush Hour in Houston

It is unfortunate that so many commuters start and end their workdays with rush-hour stress. For many Houstonians, there is no avoiding the congestion clogging the city’s roads from – typically – 7:00 to 9:00 every morning and 4:00 to 7:00 every evening. Mass transit is just not an option for some, and braving the crowded streets is a frustrating part of the day – on repeat.

The goals of rush-hour drivers are pretty simple: move through the congestion as swiftly as possible and avoid getting into an accident. If you are involved in a collision, remember that Dax. F. Garza, P.C. is ready to help. A Houston car accident lawyer from our firm will manage your car crash case with efficiency, working to secure the compensation you need to cover your losses. While you cannot control how others behave on the road, use the tips below for driving during rush hour in Houston to keep yourself as safe as possible.

A Safe Commute Starts Before You Begin Driving

Getting a late start is a surefire way to increase anxiety and adrenaline, and neither of these is good for safe driving. Avoid a late start by planning an early one. Heading out the door 10 to 15 minutes before you absolutely must be on your way will keep you calm – you have given yourself a time “cushion.” Though you will still likely hit traffic, you will not be white-knuckling the steering wheel and tensing up more and more with every minute that passes. A calm mind promotes better driving. You will take fewer risks and make better driving decisions.

To avoid unexpected vehicle problems that can quickly slow you down, keep your car well-maintained. Keep your tires inflated and your gas tank more than one-quarter of a tank full. Do not ignore “check engine,” “maintenance required,” or other warnings that appear on the dashboard. Delaying maintenance can leave you broken down on the side of the road and definitely late for work or wherever you may be heading.

Know the possibilities. Sometimes, your route for getting through rush hour does not work. An accident or construction may be slowing traffic down even more than usual. Prepare for these eventualities by developing familiarity with alternate routes. You can also use traffic apps for real-time updates and rerouting. Just be mindful of Texas’ cellphone-use-while-driving laws. Never attempt to set up a traffic app while driving.

Practice Defensive Driving Techniques

Aggressive driving, especially during rush hour, is dangerous. While you might be anxious to get to your location – along with everyone else on the road – aggressive driving will, at best, save you a minute or two. At worst, it will cost you much more, such as a costly ticket for a driving violation. You lose time as you wait for law enforcement to issue the ticket and then lose money when you pay the fine.

Aggressive driving could also lead to an accident, bringing the expense of medical bills, lost wages during recovery, pain and suffering, property damage, and – if you are to blame for the incident – the costs of the victim’s compensation.

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) encourages Houston drivers to follow specific defensive driving techniques, especially during rush hour, including:

• Stay focused on driving: It is easy to become distracted while driving, especially during rush hour drudgery. Phones become tempting distractions, as does rooting around for a snack or managing that snack while steering. As reported by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), distracted driving accounted for 487 deaths and 2,824 injuries in Texas traffic crashes during a recent year.
• Buckle up: Stay buckled. Minor fender benders can cause serious jolts that lead to injury, and, of course, more intense crashes bring even worse outcomes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), wearing a seatbelt is the most effective way to protect yourself in an accident.
• Be mindful of your surroundings: Know what vehicles are behind, beside, and in front of you. Stay aware of the distance between your car and the one in front of you and maintain enough room to come to an abrupt stop if needed.
• Anticipate: As you observe your surroundings, anticipate other drivers’ moves. This way, you can react if someone suddenly tries to cross into your lane or otherwise encroaches on your space.
• Keep a steady speed: Move with the flow of traffic and do not exceed the speed limit, should the opportunity arise. Sudden speedups when you finally have a little room to move generally demand a sudden slowdown a few yards later. Stay steady.
• Know the blind spots: You might know your car’s blind spots, but be sure to recognize those of other vehicle operators as well. Trucks cannot always see you, so take care before attempting to pass them. Always check your mirrors and over your own shoulder before changing lanes, merging, or turning.
• Do not get boxed in: If you are traveling a multi-lane road, try not to get boxed in by vehicles on each side, in front of, and behind you. Do careful speedups and / or slowdowns to avoid getting stuck in a pack. Such proximity increases the chance for a collision, and if one occurs, there will likely be multiple parties involved, creating a complicated accident aftermath.
• Approach intersections carefully: Never assume another car will yield the right of way and do expect that someone will try to race through a yellow light. Give yourself a second or two to determine whether you can proceed safely.
• Increase visibility: Keep your headlights and brake lights clean and operational. Use your turn signals and turn on headlights during rain and at dusk. The more visible you are to other vehicle operators, the safer you will be.
• Be cautious in work zones: Never ignore a construction traffic sign. Slow or stop upon road workers’ instruction, and if cones are marking a path, follow it carefully.
• Stay sharp: Never drive while fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You need firing synapses and fast reflexes for safe driving.

Stay Calm and Use the Time

Take measures to protect and even improve your emotional well-being during rush hour. Do not let road ragers get under your skin because it’s likely you will never see those individuals again. If they want to yell or gesture at you, that is their problem. Practice breathing exercises to keep you calm, unbothered, and driving safely.

Use the time to learn or be entertained. Listen to a podcast, audio book, or soothing music. If you can see rush-hour time as useful time – even “decompressing time” – instead of wasted time, the change in perspective will benefit your overall well-being. Just be sure that as you listen, you do not lose your road focus. Keep the volume low so you can still hear the sounds around you.

We Are Here to Help You Through Rush-Hour Madness

You might do everything right but still end up in a rush-hour accident. You do not have to sort through the accident aftermath on your own. A Houston car accident lawyer from Dax F. Garza, P.C. can manage your case from start to finish, handling all legalities and communication with the at-fault party on your behalf. Reach out today for a free consultation. After that, we will take care of the rest.