Beat the traffic and stay safe

Traffic delays jump by 20% in the fall, thanks to folks back from summer breaks. To the rescue: Pros share how to stay safe (and sane!) in the lanes

Merge like a pro: Go to the front

Nearly 300,000 accidents occur every year while cars are merging. It feels counterintuitive, but when two lanes are coming together, it’s safest to drive as close as possible to the merge, then alternate with other motorists like a zipper into the open lane, says Tom Vanderbilt, author of Traffic. “This way, drivers don’t cause a long line before the merge.” This strategy reduces the length of both lines by 50%.

Also smart: The trickiest places to drive are actually parking lots. To reduce your risk of a fender bender there, reverse into your spot so you can exit forward, as backing out is the most common time an accident occurs.