Episode: "I Got Stuck in a Flood Again – And I Knew Better"

In this raw and honest episode, host [Your Name] shares the embarrassing story of getting stuck in floodwater twice in two weeks – despite promising never to do it again. This isn't just another driving story; it's a vulnerable look at how we sometimes repeat our worst mistakes and the costly lessons that follow.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Universal Orlan...

This week on Mastering the Commute, we break down the truth behind modern toll systems—because gone are the days of tossing coins into a bucket. Today, toll booths are digital, invisible, and often unforgiving.

In this episode:

• 🚗 The difference between SunPass, E-Pass, I-PASS, and E-ZPass—and why you should only use one
• 📸 Toll-by-Plate explained: why Florida mails you a bill, while Illinois expects you to remember
• ⚠️ My personal ...

You stop. They stop. Now you're both waving each other on. Awkward? Sure. But unnecessary.

In this episode of Mastering the Commute, we're tackling one of the most basic—but most misunderstood—elements of everyday driving: the stop sign. From 2-way to 4-way intersections, we’ll break down the rules you actually need to follow, and why so many crashes and awkward moments happen when people try to be polite instead of p...

Episode 23 – Staying Calm in Traffic: Mastering the Mental Game

You’re not moving. Again.
 The car in front of you just cut you off like you don’t even exist.
 Now what? You could honk. Yell. Tailgate. Or… breathe.

In Episode 23 of Mastering the Commute, Randy Keith explores what it really means to stay calm in traffic—not just as a nice idea, but as a practical, life-changing skill that can turn even your worst commute into ...

You’ve driven this road before—but at night, it’s different. In this episode of Mastering the Commute, we explore why nighttime driving is far more dangerous than it seems, even with less traffic.

Randy breaks down the shocking stats (night driving causes over 50% of traffic deaths despite only 25% of vehicle miles), dives into the real risks—like glare, fatigue, and wildlife—and delivers practical, no-nonsense tips for staying aler...

Why do speed limits feel so random? In Episode 21, Randy breaks down the difference between design speed and posted speed, exposes how speed traps are often about revenue—not safety—and reveals why your safest speed isn’t always the one on the sign.

We also revisit ideas from Episode 4, where we explored the psychology of speeding—why people go fast even when they know they shouldn’t, and how social driving pressure makes it hard to...

The Law of Attraction Behind the Wheel: How Your Mindset Shapes Your Drive

Description:
Is your driving experience chaotic, stressful, or calm and in control? In Episode 20 of Mastering the Commute, I dive into how the Law of Attraction isn’t just about life goals—it applies to your daily drive, too. Your mindset before and during your commute affects everything: how you react to delays, how other drivers treat you, and how you...

Mastering the Commute – Episode 19
🎙️ “Memorial Day Madness – What to Expect This Weekend”

Planning to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend? You’re not alone—and that’s the problem.

In this timely episode, Randy Keith breaks down:

• The classic 3-day weekend traffic pattern (Friday getaway + Monday return)
• Real-world congestion hotspots in Boston, Atlanta, Houston, LA, and more
• Smart travel timing strategies to avoid peak grid...

Episode 18: Space Management and How to Avoid Tailgating (Unscripted Drive-Along)

In this unscripted, real-time driving episode, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked principles of safe driving: space management. Tailgating is one of the leading causes of rear-end crashes—and one of the easiest habits to fix.

Join me as I hit the road and talk through how to maintain safe following distances, use the 4-second rule, and av...

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.

Send us a text

Support the show

🚦 New Episodes Every Thursday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks f...

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,...