Episode 27: Rubbernecking - The Traffic Jam You Can Control
Ever been stuck in traffic for miles only to discover there was no actual obstruction in your lane? That's rubbernecking in action—one of the most frustrating and completely avoidable causes of traffic jams.
In this episode, Randy Keith breaks down the psychology behind why we slow down to gawk at roadside incidents, even when they're not blocking traffic. You'll discover how this seemingly harmless behavior creates dangerous phantom jams, increases crash risks, and delays emergency response times.
What You'll Learn:
- The real definition of rubbernecking and its traffic impact
- Why our brains are hardwired to look at accidents and emergencies
- How rubbernecking contributes to 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes
- Why secondary crashes account for 20% of all freeway accidents
- Practical strategies to break the rubbernecking chain
- How to maintain safe following distances during incidents
Key Takeaway: Rubbernecking is a choice. You can either feed the traffic beast or help starve it by keeping your eyes forward and mind on your mission.
Resources: Visit DriveSmarterNow.com for video breakdowns showing how rubbernecking jams form from a driver's perspective.
🚦 New Episodes Every Thursday at 8 AM ET!
Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!
Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Thursday morning at 8 AM ET.
🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.
🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!
🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.
Host
Randy A Keith
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.