Adding a number of lanes on the freeway, pondering the usefulness of on-ramp lights or musing on the possibilities of improved mass transit is all very well and good. Traffic engineers need jobs and the state needs projects on which to spend our money. But nearly every day it occurs to me that traffic would be much improved if people simply were required to pass a test each year that covered the basics of driving -- or post their name and home phone number on their bumper. 

Merging -- every other car gets into the lane. Not so hard.

Lane change -- When people signal and attempt to change into the lane in which you happened to be driving, let up on the gas ever so slightly so they can scoot in. It isn't that hard. Letting one car in ahead of yours is no reflection on your greater place in society. Really.

Signaling -- When stopped at a traffic light, if you intend to turn left-- turn on your signal on right away. It is useful to the people who are trapped Behind you and would like the headsup to go around you. Do not wait until you are in the middle of the intersection.

Mellow yellow -- The yellow light means slow to a stop unless you're already IN the intersection. It never means speed up.

Right on red -- Yes, turn on red uless a sign tells you otherwise. Please don't just sit there as though you're from another state. Look for traffic, check for pedestrians and stray bikers, then GO!

Hold your lane PT 1 -- When you turn right, do so from the right hand lane (not the left). 

Hold your lane PT 2 -- When you turn right from the right-hand lane (see Pt 1),  proceed into the right-hand lane of traffic (not the left). If I am traveling from the opposite direction and turn left, now I can do so and pull into the left-hand lane without effecting you. Right into right; left into left. Wow, we can do two things at once. And you do not need to honk at me for getting into 'your lane'.

Hang up and drive. You cannot multitask--stop fooling yourself and endangering everyone around you. Also, those of you who read novels, eat cereal out of a bowl (with milk and spoon) or clean your ears with Q-tips while driving -- you also cannot multitask. (I've seen all three in the same week).

If you find a traffic circle THAT confusing. Pull over.

Thanks for reading.