LETTER: LAKEWOOD TRAFFIC IS BAD ENOUGH — BASIC COURTESY CAN GO A LONG WAY

Driving in Lakewood has become incredibly frustrating. We are a large and growing town, and over the past number of years the roads have become more and more congested. It doesn’t look like it’s getting any better.

Our township and municipality have done a terrible job planning around the reality that people actually live here. People need to get to work, bring their children to school, make appointments, and simply get around town.

But while we wait for real infrastructure improvements, there are some very basic things we as drivers can do to make life easier for everyone.

First: USE YOUR BLINKERS!

It takes almost no effort. Let the other drivers know where you’re going. If you’re making a right turn and don’t signal, the person waiting to make a left has no idea you’re turning. They sit there waiting because they assume you’re continuing straight. By the time you turn, they may have missed their opportunity.

One tiny movement of your hand could help traffic move.

Second: BE CONSIDERATE AT RED LIGHTS.

If you’re going straight and there is enough room, pull up and slightly to the left so cars behind you that are making a legal right turn can get by on your right. Don’t unnecessarily block an entire lane of traffic when moving over a little could allow several cars to go.

These sound like small things—and they are. That’s exactly the point.

We may not be able to fix Lakewood’s roads ourselves. We can’t personally widen the streets, change the traffic lights, or solve years of poor planning. But with thousands of cars on our roads every day, small acts of courtesy add up.

Use your blinker. Leave room when you can. Pay attention. Think about the driver behind you.

Lakewood traffic is difficult enough already. We don’t have to make it harder for each other.