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 story about a car carrier, a family debate, and how our perceptions of risk shape the way we drive. Then, he unpacks the research behind phantom jams, exploring how behaviors like speeding up, braking abruptly, or blocking someone from merging can ripple through traffic miles behind us.
You’ll learn:
•Why social driving is more impactful than you might think.
•How small changes in your driving habits can reduce jams for everyone.
•What the science says about staying calm and maintaining a steady flow.
This episode is an eye-opener for anyone who’s ever been stuck in stop-and-go traffic and wondered, “Why is this even happening?”
Links as promised in this episode:
Atlanta TV station story on phantom Jams
Phantom Jam Experiment
Questions/Feedback?
Email me at freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com
🎧 Tune in now to Mastering the Commute and discover how you can drive smarter, reduce stress, and make the road a better place for everyone.
📢 Don’t miss next week’s episode, where we’ll explore Freeway Personalities and why some highways are always jammed at the same spots!
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Host
Randy A Keith
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