I don’t know about you, but I dread getting on the roads here in Atlanta. For those of you who don’t know the infamous I-85, I-285 and I-20 interstates, let me just say that you are really putting your life on the line when driving here.
Okay here’s just one first hand eye witness example. I’m traveling on I-85 when I noticed a woman alongside me driving around 60 miles per hour while putting on makeup; and deciding in deep thought which is the best look to apply given the several choices of mascara and eye liner perched on the dashboard. Oh and to make sure it’s applied perfectly, she looks in the rear view mirror to see apparently if it’s too much or not enough. Mind you, this is not to check on traffic to the rear, but to make sure it’s a good look.
I guess that why it makes me feel good to write an article about someone commended for safe driving practices. Someone like Jonathan Mayweather. This is especially true after witnessing so many examples or reckless driving.
The following is an article I wrote as part of my media specialist and voice over contract with ARI or Automotive Resources International. It’s the world’s largest fleet management company.
For the last five years Jonathan Mayweather has been driving a cargo van weighted down with sensitive tax documents. Mayweather transports this cargo around one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country as a fleet driver for the Georgia Department of Revenue.
“My biggest challenge is the Atlanta traffic congestion”, said Mayweather who has to navigate through what has been deemed one of the worst places in the country for commuters. Mayweather faces the traffic challenges five days a week and so far is accident free. He credits having a great deal of patience in attaining that feat. When asked about his days on the road he replied, “I see a lot of tempers flaring up on the road and that tends to make me even more alert of my traffic surroundings. Among some of the incidents he’s seen along the road are car fires, a helicopter that landed on the interstate and avoidable wrecks where drivers don’t pay attention because they’re following too closely.
Walker along with other drivers at the Georgia Department of Revenue is reminded about the importance of safe driving while conducting state business. He credits one training tool in particular.
“I like the online information alerts for drivers, that’s great help. I find it especially helpful when determining the right distances to stop to when traveling at a certain rate of speed”, said Walker.
According to Walker another type of tool gets him safely through the day on the road, “You have to be extremely humble. Personalities tend to be demonstrated while driving”.
Simply put. An aggressive person tends to drive aggressively. If you are an angry person, in my opinion you are likely to show that to the drive in front of you or beside you. But if you are humble and someone cuts you off or seems to be in a greater hurry than you are, you tend to now want to combat that. These are the observations of this veteran driver.
When he is not driving for the Department of Revenue he takes to the road as little as possible in his own vehicle. “I actually like getting a ride from a friend so I can view the road as a passenger and maybe pay attention to the billboards or something” he said.
The Georgia Department of Revenue puts the spotlight on Jonathan Mayweather.
Finding Good in Everything: How to Embrace the Atlanta Commute
A recent released study reaffirms what many Atlantans have known for years: Atlanta highways, notably 400 and I-75, are the most congested in the United States. They are far worse than NYC, LA, and San Francisco. Many Atlantans sit in a car for one to two hours a day, if not more. That is ten to twenty hours every week; forty to eighty hours a month! Since moving to Atlanta in 2004, I have battled with my bad attitude about traffic, specifically the copious amount of time it steals. I do not run errands during the work day in fear of raising my blood pressure over a 5 minute errand taking 30 minutes because only one lane of Peachtree is open. From moving into the heart of Buckhead to only scheduling meetings at low traffic times, I've tried it all. Sometimes there is just no getting around the congestion, particularly during the holiday season. In an attempt to find good in everything, here are the best ways to embrace the Atlanta traffic and lengthy commute.
Make the commute a “no phone zone” for business calls. Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Do not talk on your cell phone during your commute. Try it for a week. I understand answering the phone but refrain from having conversations that require your attention. You cannot focus on the conversation and pay attention to the insane Atlanta driver who is merging 5 lanes over with no turn signal. By putting the phone down, you are proactively preparing for someone slamming on brakes for no apparent reason. Plus, you will learn to look forward to the peace and quiet of a “no phone zone” during your long hours in the car.
Set up a schedule for your commute to increase the productivity. Think about what gets you moving in the morning. Blast 15 minutes of music to wake you up then use the remainder of your commute listening to an audiobook. For the afternoon commute why not download a new album and listen to it in its entirety on the way home? You’ll be excited to get in the car and the drive won’t seem so bad. Fiction audiobooks are also great for the afternoon commute. They are a great way to forget about the day and relax your brain.
Turn your commute into a Masters Degree. Remember that set of personal growth audiobooks you still haven’t listened to? Now is the time. Turn your car into a moving university. Imagine what you could do with 20 hours of extra knowledge a week! There really is no better usage of a long, miserable commute than making your life better and increasing your wealth. If you carpool, get something related to your area in business in which everyone can benefit.
Reflection and thinking time. Use the hour or two in the car to reflect on your goals, aspirations, and plan of action. Make sure you have a voice recorder readily available on your phone to document any ideas. Practice your elevator pitch. Just think about whatever comes to mind! Trust me, if you can get past the idiot drivers and lack of intelligence on the road and immerse yourself in thought, the commute can be therapeutic.
What ways have you dealt with traffic and the chaotic commute in Atlanta?
Maria Joyner is an entrepreneur, documentary photographer, and social media strategist. You can follow her on twitter @mariajoyner or connect on LinkedIn .
