The average road user in the UK spends around 200 hours of their life stuck in a traffic jam. Although this might seem like a relatively short amount of time when spread out over 30 or 40 years, in truth, it probably accounts for around the same amount of times you’ll be late home and have to deal with an irate partner who’s had to sort the kids dinner out on his/her own – this is never going to be ideal. So, being as you can do diddly-squat about anything that happens with regards to traffic, you probably want some handy tips about what you can do to make the whole event a little more bearable, right?
Well, luckily for you, I’ve written this article to highlight the top 5 things you could do to pass the time and keep your mind occupied when gridlocked on one of the UK’s many motorways. So, take a moment to read through my suggestions and feel free to comment if you’ve got any of your own.
1 – Turn The Music Up
There’s nothing like rocking out in your vehicle, especially when you’re stuck in traffic and many other road users can see you. Remember that scene from Wayne’s World involving the Queen hit Bohemian Rhapsody? Well, why not reenact this with a similar (or even the same) song. I can personally guarantee you’ll feel a lot better about the situation you’re in, and other motorists are also sure to find it very amusing.
2 – Play Some Games
Presuming you’ve got a laptop, iPad or something similar in the car, then logging on to CarGames.org.uk and checking out their free, stress-relieivng games can be a brilliant way of stopping you from getting wound up too much. I use this site myself from time to time, and it’s truly ideal because the games are simple and only take a moment to load, which means you won’t have to take your eyes off the road for too long – and anyway, who cares when you’re in a jam and haven’t moved an inch for the last half hour, right?
3 – Read A Book
You could simply try reading a book if you’re that bored and the traffic seems like it’s going to take a while to clear. Looking through the options available on major book-selling websites, I think perhaps Stress Management For Dummies might be a good choice, or maybe you might opt for How To Control And Overcome Anxiety And Stress given your current situation.
4 – Do A Word-Search or Crossword Puzzle
Keeping your mind active is important, especially if it’s getting late and you feel tired because the last thing you want to do is fall asleep and hold commuters up even more. So, keeping a couple of word-based puzzle books in your car or even a daily newspaper could be a great way of passing the time until the traffic starts moving again.
5 – Have A Breakdown
If all else fails and you really can’t contain yourself any longer, some people seem to find that having a total breakdown and either leaving their vehicle or hitting the horn over and over again provides some form of relief. Just make sure there’s no police officers around, because they tend to hand you over to the men in the white coats if you refuse to calm down.
Anyway, that’s it from me today. I’ve got to load the Toyota up and start out on a trip to Wales with the family. Who knows; if the motorways are chockablock, maybe I’ll take my own advice…
See you soon!