Three Tips for Driving Awesome

It seems everybody thinks they are great drivers. Kind of like how people like the the flavor of their own farts.

But I’m really a great driver. This is an undeniable fact because Neil Das himself complimented my automobile operating abilities. If that’s not enough proof, take it from the guy who just today thumbs-upped my 50 yd reverse down West Pine, culminating with backing into a diagonal spot I previously passed up then discovered was my best bet as I neared Euclid.

In the moment, especially when your shortcut doesn’t work out some time, you may think to yourself, “that really wasn’t worth getting worked up about.” As long as you can do what you need to without raising your blood pressure, I would like to offer that a minute here and there, added up over time, could mean extra days or weeks in your life.

I’m going to reveal to you three of my best tricks for taking control of that chaotic road.

Don’t hesitate to pass.

Allowing yourself to get stuck behind someone who isn’t moving is akin to finishing a long novel just because you started it. Dotted lines mean you can cross them, including for the purpose of passing. So if you see someone lost and looking for an address, or an Uber driver double parking, get around them and get on with your day.

Know your lights.

Particularly, from a certain distance, if you know the timing of lights relatively well, you can judge whether it’s a stale green (or a stale red). I will determine which street to head down by looking to see what they are at the time of my passing — for instance, if this particular light at Kingshighway is green as I’m heading south on Euclid, I know it will turn red before I can make it there and I’ll continue on toward the next ones.

Lights in the city are timed, and if you can get in the groove (usually about 5–10 mph over the speed limit) you’ll find yourself not hitting a single red.

If you’re turning right, at all costs do not let anyone get in front of you at an upcoming stoplight.

This one is gospel. I hate people sitting in right lanes when they’re not turning right. Because of the golden rule, I will always try to keep that lane open for others when I’m going straight.

One specific example that works well as an example is when I’m heading west on Forest Park toward Des Peres. This is a looooong light. It’s also a good stretch between DeBaliviere and Des Peres, which gives me plenty of room to pass any slow pokes wanting to hog the right lane.