Traffic

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Lifestyle

When I first started driving more years ago than I will admit, I had lots of patience. Driving along on the Belt Parkway was a treat (yes, I was born and raised in Brooklyn) even when that sea of red lights showed up ahead. I remember so distinctly just turning the radio up and doing a lot of singing. Mostly Barry Manilow, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen – but that is another blog entirely.

Well, times have changed. That sea of red lights ahead now has me scanning for the first exit. Rather than heading towards song, I head off the road at the first opportunity. Traffic just makes me anxious.

This past weekend, we visited New Haven (you can guess why). The trip up was so slow that we could have walked faster. This left my husband driving with me navigating using Google Maps for most of four hours. If I say so myself, we were a pretty good team. But at no point did either of us consider just turning up the radio and singing.

How do you handle traffic?

Comments

Fred Klein

Books on tape. Next is Anna Quindlin for Book Club on 11/19.
Corey Bearak

I avoid it to the greatest extent possible -- unless it involves Winwood, Capaldi, Wood and (sometimes) Mason; in that case, I am Glad look forward to it. Some music -- often some of the best, most uplifting tunes -- does not jive with traffic. For example, the Dead singing "Lovelight" live with Pigpen on vocals, could consume the entire ride from just inside Queens to Jones Beach.
I try to use a knowledge of City and LI routes developed delivering spirits and wine in my teens, routing candidates just after college and generally learning highways and byways as an early driver to avoid getting caught up. Sometimes its just not possible but it makes sense to try. I also schedule any meetings I can control to times where traffic should impact less.

Submitted by JacquiBishop on Tue, 10/14/2014 - 01:02

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Jacqui Bishop

Audiobooks. I always have 2 or 3 in the car, hanks to the free library system. I just finished "I Am Malala," the autobiography of the young woman shot in the head by the Taliban for speaking out for education for girls and women as well as men. What a read! It gives a remarkable picture of that culture as well as an account of courageous and loving family life. I learned a lot.

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Tue, 10/14/2014 - 01:13

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I listen to books on tape (or CD or Iphone) and it takes me away from the traffic boredom. I also use WAZE which offers alternative driving instructions with real time traffic integrated into the directions.
Rona Gura

I make personal phone calls on my bluetooth. It's the only time when I'm truly alone.

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Thu, 10/16/2014 - 04:48

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Erik Scheibe

Talk radio, used to be mostly politics, now mostly sports

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