Phoenix’ infamous reverse lanes were introduced between 1979 and 1982 to help with traffic flow, and technically, they do their job… when used correctly. However, some people consider them more of a trap then a tool.

The real truth is most accidents aren’t caused by the lanes themselves; they are caused by operator error. In fact, driver error is behind 80% of accidents, and more than half of drivers admit they drive aggressively because they are late.

But reverse lanes don’t have to drive car owners to aggression. Shahe Koulloukian, founder of Mazvo Car Care Center in Phoenix, master automotive technician, longtime automotive expert, educator and author, shares some crucial tips for mastering reverse lanes and keeping them from turning into chaos.

First thing’s first. Know the rules of the reverse lanes:

6-9 a.m. → Southbound lane in use.

4-6 p.m. → Northbound lane in use.

All other times? Left turns only.

A reverse lane does not equal a speedway—The speed limit is 35 to 40 mph, regardless of whether a new lane is opened up. Yet, the average speed in these lanes is 58 mph. Drivers need to heed the limit and slow down. Wake up five minutes earlier, have an extra sip of coffee and get there alive instead of as a headline.

Turing is allowed… when it’s done right—Newsflash: Turning is legal… proper turning that is. But don’t hesitate, second-guess or suddenly decide to “YOLO” the way into oncoming traffic. Learn the rules and follow the. Enough said.

Road rage isn’t a sport—Everyone on the road seems to be in a massive hurry. But honking, screaming, and aggressively tailgating someone who is legally turning isn’t a good look and it’s a big part of the problem. When a driver gets spooked by this type or erratic behavior, they panic. They floor it—and they could crash. Suddenly, a two-minute delay turns into a two-hour traffic jam. Just take a deep breath remember—intelligence wins out over rage.

Warn out-of-town friends—Nothing says “welcome to Phoenix!” like throwing an unsuspecting tourist into a reverse-lane disaster. Visitors don’t know the rules and they may not see the schedule. A simple heads up can go a long way in ensuring they enjoy safely traversing through the valley.

Use the 15-minute rule—Build in a 15-minute buffer before the lane switches directions at the stroke of 6 p.m. instead of playing “watch the clock” and risking an accident. Just exit early and save some stress.

Ultimately, reverse lanes aren’t the problem—drivers are. These lanes should be treated like a tool and their rules should be observed to everyone on the road.   – more at azbigmedia.com