I've been trying out the "ripple" method of reducing stop-and-go traffic congestion that someone here posted a link to the other day. I get on the Greater New Orleans Bridge (and people here are as crazy as anywhere, and have no idea what the turn signal lever is for), try to leave a little more space than usual in front of me, and aim for a steady pace of 35 mph. Sure, morons swoop in, but I fall back a little and keep going.

The *best* we could hope for on that bridge at that time of day is 35-40 mph anyway, and you know, I think I'm coming closer to that average speed myself; far less "stop, accelerate to 30, slow down, stop, repeat."

Of course I wouldn't try this on the open road at 65. I'd get creamed, and would deserve it. But in this set of conditions, it seems to help.

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-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino