Turning off your cell phone, or putting it on silent mode. Switching off your music, or turning the volume down. Telling your passengers to quieten down until you’re free of dense traffic. [1] X Research source
Keep your eyes scanning traffic and road conditions. Identify vehicles that appear unsafe, such as those that are erratically merging across lanes, speeding dangerously, or drifting within a lane. Follow the flow of traffic. Signal before making a turn or merging into a lane. Allow plenty of space between you and other vehicles/structures. Never drive while tired or emotionally agitated. [2] X Research source
Depending on your distance, you may also need to brake to slow down to an acceptable speed when approaching heavy traffic. By slowing your speed, there is a chance that the heavy traffic will break up before you reach it. This constant, slower speed will save you fuel and create less potential for accidents. [4] X Research source
D3 or 3 is normally used for stop and go driving. D2, 2, or S (which stands for ‘slow’) locks your car into second gear, which can be useful if you are driving up or down a steep hill. Lower gears will also brake more quickly due to naturally occurring “engine braking. “[5] X Research source
When your car is even with the sign stop counting. The number you have stopped counting on represents how many seconds of distance is between you and the car in front of you. Adjust your speed accordingly. More time between you and the car in front will mean more reaction time in the event of sudden braking or some other emergency. [6] X Research source
The speed of stop-and-go traffic will be greatly reduced, meaning that if you or another car do actually collide, the damage will likely be minimal and not physically serious.
Keep your eyes scanning traffic, the shoulder of the road, and potential places you might direct your car in the event that you have to make emergency manoeuvres.
Exit the freeway and take a break at a rest stop until you’ve calmed down or the roads are quieter. Turn on your emergency lights and pull well over to the side of the shoulder of the road. Relax a little bit and listen to some music until you are more comfortable with the flow of traffic.
This way you don’t have to spend time, effort, and wear-and-tear on your gear shifting, and you won’t have to ride your clutch while you wait for traffic to resume. Stop-and-go traffic will likely be best navigated in first or second gear depending on your engine and how these gears handle in your manual car. Beware impatient drivers cutting you off and merging into the extra space in front of you. [10] X Research source
When you release the accelerator, the throttle in your engine closes, creating a partial vacuum that creates engine resistance and slows the speed of your vehicle. Generally, lower gears will exert a greater braking force on your vehicle. [11] X Research source [12] X Research source
When shifting into first gear with little space behind you, or if you are on a hill; give your car a little more gas as you shift into first gear and slowly let out the clutch. [13] X Research source
Accelerate at a steady speed that is slightly below the flow of traffic. This way you can coast forward in your chosen gear without having to shift down or come to a stop. This slow-but-steady method will also create a solid buffer between you and the car in front of you. You should, however, be ready to shift down if impatient drivers merge into this buffer space. [14] X Research source
