Being a dream weaver is just plain risky
For those of you who may be as old as me you may remember a song from the mid 1970’s called “Dream Weaver”. There’s a line that’s repeated throughout the song “I believe you can get me through the night”. I see dream weavers each day on my commute to and from work. These dream weavers are hoping they can get through the night and sometimes the day…unscathed from other vehicles that is. These are the weavers that move in and out of traffic, switching lanes with barely enough space. I personally think they are dreaming and one day, they may wake up to the reality that what they’re doing is extremely risky to them and those around them.
Think of moving traffic like a rushing river. If you were in a canoe or kayak without a paddle, you would move as fast as the water takes you. Traffic on our roads moves similar. Traffic in your lane moves at the same speed as everyone else in that lane. In many cases, the traffic in each lane may move at similar speeds, but the weaver feels they can gain on the traffic by quickly switching lanes into the smallest of spaces and jumping ahead; similar to the old computer game “Frogger”. They may save the odd second or two, but not very often and not for long. And just like Frogger, they may get squashed every so often. Still want to be a dream weaver?
These dream weavers tend to get very close to the vehicle ahead of them so they can make it into the available space in the next lane. Have they thought about what would happen if the driver ahead of them applies their brakes fairly hard while they are so close behind them? Any driver who is close behind another vehicle gets the worse of the damage during a rear crash. Since most electronic sensors in your vehicle are at the front of the vehicle, it makes the repairs more extensive and costly. If the weaver makes it into the next lane but suddenly has to stop because traffic ahead is stopping, they may not see it in time, nor have enough time or space to actually stop. Still want to be a dream weaver?
The interesting thing about most of these dream weavers is we will usually meet 
up with them again at a red traffic light up the road, or when freeway/highway traffic ahead either slows down or comes to a stop. The additional wear and tear on the brakes, the wasted fuel consumption due to harsh acceleration and the added stress really isn’t in your best interest now is it? Perhaps they feel that since they’re still moving they’ll save time. Maybe, but not enough to qualify driving in this risky manner. Still want to be a dream weaver?
In many cases, the weaver is more focused on taking the available space that they often miss other important things associated to driving. This will include traffic lights, other vehicles changing lanes, brake lights further up the road, cyclists and pedestrians, just to name a few. In reality, a weaver is really a distracted driver focused only on their immediate needs and nothing else. They’re living in their own little bubble.
As drivers we must remember that we can’t control the actions of other drivers. What we can do is control our own actions to help keep us and our passengers safe. That’s our responsibility as a driver. Instead of weaving in and out of traffic, leave early enough so you won’t take chances on the road. Keep adequate space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. Look well ahead of your current position and anticipate traffic slowdowns and respond early. If you see brake lights and stopped traffic ahead, take a deep breath and relax. You’ll still get there.
*Have a quick listen to this podcast of the drivers who belong to the “It won’t happen to me club”