I see you
shifting
between lanes
cutting off
the soccer mom
transporting her tiny crew
in a blue Trailblazer

waving your middle finger
at the silver-haired senior
calmly cruising
in his classic Cadillac

swerving left
shifting right
weaving
in and out
in and out
in
and out

pushing
inches
then feet
ahead

yet
here
we are
at the light
side by side

both waiting
(im)patiently
for our color
to switch
to green

Drive Like You’ll Meet Them Again

Here are some practical tips drawn from guidance by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Remember that driving is not a competition. The goal is to arrive safely, not first.
• Allow others to merge. Creating space reduces stress and helps traffic flow more smoothly.
• Use your turn signal early. Let people know what you plan to do instead of forcing them to react.
• Leave a little extra space. Following distance gives everyone more time to respond and reduces the temptation to brake, accelerate, and jockey for position.
• Don’t take mistakes personally. Most driving errors are just that—errors, not attacks.
• Let faster drivers pass. Whether they’re right or wrong, giving them room is usually safer than turning the situation into a contest.
• Avoid gestures, horn battles, and eye contact. Escalation rarely improves a situation and often makes it worse.
• Plan for delays. Leaving a few minutes early removes much of the pressure that fuels aggressive driving.
• Practice small acts of road courtesy. A wave, a gap for a merge, or simply yielding when appropriate can reduce tension for everyone. AAA research suggests that good road etiquette is one of the strongest protections against aggressive driving.