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Ep. 27: Rubbernecking - The Traffic Jam You Can Control
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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.
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Chapters
1. Ep. 27: Rubbernecking - The Traffic Jam You Can Control (00:00:00)
2. Introduction - Episode 27 (00:00:17)
3. What is Rubbernecking? (00:00:50)
4. Why Do We Slow Down to Look? (00:01:49)
5. Rubbernecking as a Cause of Accidents (00:02:56)
6. Be a Part of the Solution: Here's How (00:04:20)
7. Wrap-up (00:05:40)
36 episodes
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