Stebel and habits paid off this morning

[bobhamlin]

My two brothers came up for the weekend, so I admit right off that I wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed on this morning's commute into DC. And that's where training pays off.

On multiple lane roads, I consciously drive in the third of the lane that is furthest away from traffic in the other parallel lanes. That gives me a little extra time if someone decides to change into my lane. I've learned to be particularly alert if that other lane is stacking up due to a slower lead vehicle. Somebody usually wants to get out of the stack, and they frequently make snap decisions.

This morning, I was cruising along in the left lane, not totally riveted to traffic implications (see "not the sharpest tool in the shed" above). As I overtook a column of cars, a car to my immediate right began coming into my lane. I watched their front left wheel almost in slow motion. A blast from the Stebel alerted the driver, and s/he retreated back into their lane. I wasn't consciously driving in the left third of my lane--I was doing it out of habit. It definitely gave me the time I needed. And Stebel did the rest.

Later on, this time on I-270, I was in the right-hand lane, passing a stack, and guess what? Yep. An SUV starts coming into my lane again. This wasn't as close as the previous encroachment (I was alert), but, again, the extra space and my Stebel gave me working room.

If you do not have an air horn yet, put it at the top of your acquisitions list. Vehicles with closed windows, ac, and music cannot hear our stock "meep-meeps." My Stebel has paid for itself many times over.