Myth: Switching Lanes in Traffic Saves Time
We’ve all seen that one aggressive driver zig-zagging through highway traffic to get ahead. It feels like they must be making progress, but studies consistently show it’s a wash. When researchers track cars in heavy traffic, the “weaver” usually arrives at the destination only a few seconds—or at most a minute—ahead of the car that stayed in one lane.
In many cases, the lane-switching actually causes “phantom traffic jams” behind you as people hit their brakes to let you in. You’re increasing your risk of an accident and stressing yourself out for a time saving that is statistically insignificant. In the world of heavy traffic, “slow and steady” really does win the race.
