Mastering the Commute: Your 6-Minute Traffic Fix

Episode 17: Road Rage and Social Driving – Why It’s Not Just You Out There
Hosted by Randy Keith | Mastering the Commute

We’ve all been there: you get cut off, your heart races, and suddenly the road feels more like a battleground than a commute. But what if I told you that road rage isn’t just about you—or them? It’s about all of us.

In this eye-opening episode, we explore:

• My personal brush with road rage, and what I’ve see...

The Hidden Stories Behind Freeway Names (and a Tribute to Mark Denis)
Ever wonder how highways and interchanges get their names? In this special episode of Mastering the Commute, I explore the different types of freeway names—from geographic and honorific, to legacy memorials—and share a deeply personal tribute to one of the most influential voices in LA radio: Mark Denis Melbourne.

Mark wasn’t just a traffic reporter—he was th...

Episode 15 – Exceptions to the Rule: When Not to Trust the Clock
Rush hour isn’t what it used to be. In this episode, we break down the new realities of traffic: weekend slowdowns, holiday gridlock, event chaos, and late-night construction. Learn why your commute might surprise you—and how to plan smarter using real-world data, not just the clock.

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Episode 14 – Distracted Driving: It’s Not Just the Phone

Most people think distracted driving means texting. But the truth? It goes way beyond that—and many of the worst distractions are the ones we don’t even think about.

In this episode, former LA traffic reporter Randy Keith shares a personal story about a distracted driving crash that happened before smartphones even existed. From grooming and grabbing a fallen CD to high-tech da...

Mastering the Commute: Episode 13 – How Highway Numbers Really Work (and Why I-60 Doesn’t Exist)

 Ever seen a meme showing I-50 or I-60 running across the U.S.? Spoiler: they don’t exist—and there's a fascinating reason why. In this 6-minute episode, I take you through the history and logic of America’s highway and interstate numbering systems, from the old U.S. Highways like Route 66 to the massive Eisenhower Interstate s...

Episode 12 – The Power of Cruise Control: How to Drive Smoother & Save Money

Cruise control isn't just for long road trips—it's one of the most underrated tools for everyday driving. In this episode, Randy Keith reveals how using cruise control can reduce fatigue, improve fuel efficiency, and even cut down on traffic jams.

From standard cruise to adaptive cruise control (ACC), you'll learn when to use it, when not ...

🚶‍♂️ Episode 11: Pedestrians – Navigating Walking Traffic and Crowd Chaos

From Spring Break beach towns to packed theme parks, pedestrian traffic can be just as unpredictable—and frustrating—as vehicle traffic. In this episode of Mastering the Commute, Randy Keith breaks down how walking crowds create their own version of congestion, bottlenecks, and gridlock.

Learn how to anticipate human behavior on sidewalks, crosswalks, and park...

🚗 Weather doesn’t cause crashes—bad driving in bad weather does! In this episode of Mastering the Commute, we break down the essential techniques for safe driving in extreme conditions—whether it’s rain, snow, fog, or heat. Learn how to prevent hydroplaning, handle icy roads, drive safely in dense fog, and avoid wind-related dangers.

Your driving habits can make all the difference! Tune in now and make every commute safer.

💬 Have a...

Episode 9: Merging – The Right Way vs. The Real World

Merging shouldn’t be stressful—but let’s be honest, it’s one of the most frustrating parts of driving. Should you merge early or wait until the last second? Why do some drivers speed up to block you instead of letting you in? And what’s the deal with the zipper merge—does it really work, or is it just wishful thinking?

In this episode of Mastering the Commute, we break down the id...

🚦 Forget everything you learned in high school driver’s ed! Today, we’re diving into a smarter way to drive—by thinking like a pilot. From scanning your surroundings to making smooth, intentional movements, aviation training has a lot to teach us about safer, less stressful driving.

✈️ What if we taught driving the way we teach flying? Pilots don’t just memorize rules—they’re trained to anticipate, plan, and react. In this episode,...

🚗 Traffic is NOT a Space Problem—It's a Behavior Problem!

Governments have spent billions expanding freeways, adding new lanes, and launching massive infrastructure projects—all in the name of reducing congestion. Yet, traffic is just as bad (or worse) in major cities. Why? Because the real problem isn’t road capacity—it’s how we drive.

In this episode of Mastering the Commute, I introduce DOTE—The Department of Traffic Efficie...

"Which Lane is the Right Lane? (A DOTE Initiative)"

🚗 Are you in the right lane—or just the left one? Every driver has an opinion, but lane discipline is more than just personal preference. It’s one of the biggest factors in keeping traffic moving. Whether you’re cruising on a multi-lane freeway, navigating an interchange, or choosing a surface street lane, your lane choice impacts congestion, safety, and the overall flow...

🚦 STOP Making Traffic Worse! 

Episode 5: Red Light, Green Light: It's Not a Game

How to Drive Smarter at Red Lights & Avoid Phantom Jams

Every driver has seen it—sudden brake lights, endless stop-and-go traffic, and green lights wasted by slow reactions. But did you know that your driving habits could be making traffic WORSE? 

In this episode of Mastering the Commute, we break down:

✔️ Why slamming the brakes creates traffic w...

Speeding isn’t just about breaking the speed limit—it’s about the choices we make behind the wheel every day. In this episode of Mastering the Commute, we dive into the real reasons people speed, from frustration with slower drivers to the illusion of an “open road.” But more importantly, we explore the overlooked dangers of transition roads—the curved ramps that connect freeways, where accidents happen more often than you might th...

Episode 3 - Freeway Personalities - Why Some Freeways Jam Up

🚗 Think traffic is unpredictable? Think again. Every freeway has a personality—a pattern of congestion, peak-hour slowdowns, and bottlenecks that seem to happen like clockwork. If you’ve ever wondered why the same stretch of road always slows down at the same time every day, this episode is for you.

I’m Randy Keith, former LA traffic reporter and smart driving ad...

Episode 2: How Social Driving Creates Phantom Jams

Most of us think traffic is caused by accidents, construction, or sheer volume. But what if the real culprit is something we do every day without even realizing it? In this episode of Mastering the Commute, host Randy Keith dives into the concept of social driving—the subtle ways our habits and reactions behind the wheel create unnecessary congestion.

Randy starts with a personal sto...

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🔥 Southern California Fires: A Personal Reflection and Call to Action

January 17th holds deep meaning for me—marking both the Northridge earthquake in 1994 and my wedding anniversary ten years ago. This day reminds me of resilience and rebuilding, themes that resonate now more than ever as Southern California faces devastating wildfires.

In this bonus episode, I discuss the Palisades Fire and other blazes s...

Mastering the Commute - Episode 1
Introduction: The Real Traffic Solution No One Talks About

🚦 Discover the Secrets to Smarter, Stress-Free Driving!
Most traffic advice leaves you frustrated and stuck in the same jams. But what if you could actually understand traffic—and take control of your commute? In this episode, you’ll learn how small changes to your driving habits can lead to smoother, safer, and less stressful trips...

Southern California Wildfires:

My name is Randy Keith. As a SoCal native and pilot, I'm pretty familiar with LA geography.

[This Fire Will Not Just Stop]

People think of natural disasters (especially hurricanes or floods) as events that happen and then pass. Right now, it’s literally raining ash in LA. Damage extends far bayond the mutiple actively-burning fires.

[Unprecedented Conditions – This Is NOT Fire Season]

It is January—th...