Dear Fellow Commuters on 494,

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few driving particulars that will make things a little more enjoyable for all of us.

First off I just want to state, for the record, that I can not go faster than the car in front of me. This is impossible. Perhaps you could think about this in more personal terms. Does ride up on me make you go faster? No. Try as I may, I am limited by the speed of the car in front of me. Perhaps you could try to leave 3 minutes earlier, so you wouldn't feel so pressed to make up those little seconds by trying to inch the rest of us faster?

I would also like to remind you of a pretty important rule that goes along with that. Two things can not occupy the same space at the same time. Now, this is a simplification of it, but this really is a rule of physics. If my car is right there, your car can not be. This is an important rule!

Blinkers are helpful in letting the rest of us know your intentions. If I know you are trying to switch lanes, I can avoid doing so as well. Remember, we can not both occupy the same space at the same time.

This next tip applies to most Minnesotans: when merging, as tempting as it is to slow down, don't. When you merge, it goes so much better if you get up to the speed the other groups are going. Also, kindly let people in as they attempt to merge. If you are exiting as I am entering, do you NEED to be in front of me to prove something? You are leaving, allowing the subtle slowdown to allow others in as they merge acts as a nice buffer don't you think. If you speed up to cruise in front of them, only to have to slow down to avoid rear-ending the car in front of you, almost causing the car you "beat" to rear-end you....remember, two cars can not occupy the same space at the same time.

Lastly, flashing lights on the shoulder do not mean you need to slam on your breaks and proceed at 20 mph. You will not get pulled over if someone is already pulled over. Chances are, at 20 mph you still will not get enough of a glimpse to discern if it is someone you know or why they are pulled over. It's 494, always assume they were speeding and move on.

Please consider these friendly reminders as we commute together this week.

Thanks!