Surviving the H-1 commute

For some reason cars just seem to pile up on the H-1 more frequently this time of year, even when there aren't any accidents.

Here's my advice on how we can all get along without jumping out of our vehicles and pummeling each other. I offer no expertise other than my daily 20-minute commute from Waikele, which somehow turns into a 40-minute commute the day after Thanksgiving:

1) Observe solid or partially solid lines and use turn signals when changing lanes.

2) Stay in the right lane if you're moving slower, the left lane when you're blitzing it. I am amazed when I go to the mainland and see vehicles actually shift to the right lane when faster vehicles pull up behind them. Now, that's courtesy!

3) Keep several car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you. The faster you're going, the farther back you should be. I've always thought that people should be able to avoid most accidents by keeping their distance from the cars in front of and behind them.

4) Always give a wave when you cut in front of someone.

5) Go the same speed as me, not faster or slower. Better yet, just stay off the road when I'm on it, will ya?

Gordon Y.K. Pang

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