How to stress less in traffic jam

Stay in your car
Anthony Katabazi, a motorist, says as he drives around Kisaasi areas in the evening as he goes home, the area sometimes has a lot of traffic jam that moving out of his car sometimes crosses his mind, but he holds back.
He faced the wrath of impatient motorists who hurled insults at him the only time he ever tried to get out.
“It was in the evening and no car was moving at all. As I was still at the kiosk buying an airtime scratch card by the roadside, the cars suddenly started moving. I was approaching a roundabout. By the time I got back to the car, many motorists were hooting from all directions,” Katabazi recalls.
“I was given a penalty receipt and from that incident, I learnt how to stay in the car even when the jam becomes annoying,” he adds.

Listen to traffic updates
During rush hours in the morning and evening, some local radio stations provide regular traffic updates on different roads. This helps you understand which direction of the city centre has traffic jam so that you avoid it.
In most cases, radio traffic updates also provide you with alternative routes to use so that you do not get stuck in the traffic jam for a long time. So, tuning in to one of the local stations could be a better option.

Communicate
Due to the fact that traffic jam is unpredictable, you may at times get held up for longer periods than you had expected. In such a scenario, Katabazi advises that it is better to communicate to your workmates or those at home or to the person you are meeting that you will reach them past the agreed time because of unforeseen traffic jam.
This saves you from explaining yourself when you eventually get to your destination.
Talk to other road users
Much as it is not something easy if you are the type who minds your business, Edward Nsubuga thinks that starting a conversation with the driver next to you is one easy way of getting over the day’s tiredness. He believes that it is one way of networking and exchanging pleasantries for possible future relationships.
“It may not necessarily be a motorist in a private car as yours but it could be a passenger in a commuter taxi. As you get to know each other, you may find that your lines of business are the same. Conversations with strangers are the foundation for successful or meaningful business partnerships or any other relationships,” Nsubuga notes.
He adds, “When I realise that I am to reach home late, I get my diary and start planning for the following day. I write what I have to do at work, who I have to meet and other things. I sometimes use the time in jam to recall what is needed at home so that I get it from the nearest market.”

Caution
Moses Senfuka says because there is little or no movement, a number of motorists will keep switching from one lane to another since different lanes move at different speeds. Unfortunately, he says, motorists will sometimes not indicate when they are about to switch lanes
“Be on the lookout for such motorists. When they forcefully negotiate to join your lane, they may end up scratching your car and causing dents. This will cause endless arguments as to who was in the wrong. If you notice that someone is switching a lane, act defensive to your car and allow them join your lane,” Senfuka advises.

Similarly, goldmanlawatlanta, an online portal, says pick a lane and stay in it. Swerving in and out of traffic is only going to make things worse on you and other drivers. It also increases the chance of causing an accident. The portal also advises that you watch the traffic around you.
For example, do not speed up just because traffic begins to move a bit. Instead, slowly build your speed until you are sure that the jam has cleared.