Mastering the Commute – Episode 19
🎙️ “Memorial Day Madness – What to Expect This Weekend”

Planning to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend? You’re not alone—and that’s the problem.

In this timely episode, Randy Keith breaks down:

• The classic 3-day weekend traffic pattern (Friday getaway + Monday return)
• Real-world congestion hotspots in Boston, Atlanta, Houston, LA, and more
• Smart travel timing strategies to avoid peak gridlock
• Pro driver tips for alternate routes, rest stop timing, and more
• Holiday-specific hazards like speed traps, surprise construction zones, and increased breakdowns

Whether you're heading to the beach, visiting family, or staying local, this quick-hit guide helps you plan smarter, drive safer, and beat the stress before it starts.

🚗 Have a holiday traffic story or tip? Send it to freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com
🎧 More at MasteringTheCommute.com

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🚦 New Episodes Every Wednesday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!
Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Wednesday morning at 8 AM ET.

🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.

🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!

🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.

Send us a text

Support the show

🚦 New Episodes Every Wednesday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!
Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Wednesday morning at 8 AM ET.

🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.

🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!

🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.

Episode 17: Road Rage and Social Driving – Why It’s Not Just You Out There
Hosted by Randy Keith | Mastering the Commute

We’ve all been there: you get cut off, your heart races, and suddenly the road feels more like a battleground than a commute. But what if I told you that road rage isn’t just about you—or them? It’s about all of us.

In this eye-opening episode, we explore:

• My personal brush with road rage, and what I’ve seen in two decades of traffic reporting.
• Real-life stories—from drivers in Phoenix, Denver, and Boston—that prove how fast things can escalate.
• Surprising stats: Road rage incidents involving firearms are up nearly 500%.
• The science of social driving and how our emotions shape the road.
• AAA’s list of the top road rage triggers (bet you’ve experienced most of them).
• How to defuse an angry encounter behind the wheel—and why de-escalation might save your life.
• 5 actionable tips to help you start each drive with a calmer mindset.

🎧 Bonus: Hear audio cues and reference clips, including dashcam footage, interviews, and news coverage, at
📍 freewaytrafficexpert.com/episode-17

📬 Got a story about road rage or a moment where you chose calm instead of chaos? Email me at: freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com.

Send us a text

Support the show

🚦 New Episodes Every Wednesday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!
Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Wednesday morning at 8 AM ET.

🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.

🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!

🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.

The Hidden Stories Behind Freeway Names (and a Tribute to Mark Denis)
Ever wonder how highways and interchanges get their names? In this special episode of Mastering the Commute, I explore the different types of freeway names—from geographic and honorific, to legacy memorials—and share a deeply personal tribute to one of the most influential voices in LA radio: Mark Denis Melbourne.

Mark wasn’t just a traffic reporter—he was the voice of Southern California traffic, a mentor to me at just 19 years old, and a friend who left an incredible legacy.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear:
• How freeway naming really works (including the role of Caltrans)
• Examples of memorialized interchanges across the U.S.
• The story of Mark Denis and the 91/55 Memorial Interchange
• Rare 1999 blooper reel audio and eulogy clips
• A final musical tribute, “Code 5,” written in his honor

📍 Resources & Links
• How California Names Highways (Caltrans)
• More about Mark Denis (Episode page)
• Full episode archive + smart driving tips
• Subscribe & follow: @MasteringTheCommute

Code 5 Music Video with pics of Mark HERE

#FreewayFacts #TrafficLegends #MasteringTheCommute #MarkDenis #RoadNaming #MemorialInterchange #CaliforniaTraffic #SmartDriving

Send us a text

Support the show

🚦 New Episodes Every Wednesday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!
Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Wednesday morning at 8 AM ET.

🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.

🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!

🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.

Episode 15 – Exceptions to the Rule: When Not to Trust the Clock
Rush hour isn’t what it used to be. In this episode, we break down the new realities of traffic: weekend slowdowns, holiday gridlock, event chaos, and late-night construction. Learn why your commute might surprise you—and how to plan smarter using real-world data, not just the clock.

Send us a text

Support the show

🚦 New Episodes Every Wednesday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!
Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Wednesday morning at 8 AM ET.

🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.

🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!

🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.

Episode 14 – Distracted Driving: It’s Not Just the Phone

Most people think distracted driving means texting. But the truth? It goes way beyond that—and many of the worst distractions are the ones we don’t even think about.

In this episode, former LA traffic reporter Randy Keith shares a personal story about a distracted driving crash that happened before smartphones even existed. From grooming and grabbing a fallen CD to high-tech dashboards, heated arguments, and even daydreaming, you'll learn how distraction comes in many forms.

Randy breaks down the three types of distractions recognized by the NHTSA—visual, manual, and cognitive—and reveals how everyday behaviors can compromise your focus behind the wheel.

You’ll learn:

• What really counts as a distraction (it’s more than your phone)
• The overlooked danger of “mind-wandering”
• Smart strategies to reduce distractions in real-world driving
• How to approach driving with the mindset of a performer, not just a commuter

💡 Whether you're a parent, a teen driver, or a professional on the road daily, this episode will help you recognize hidden risks and develop habits to stay fully present behind the wheel.

👉 More resources at DriveSmarterNow.com

Send us a text

Support the show

🚦 New Episodes Every Wednesday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!
Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Wednesday morning at 8 AM ET.

🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.

🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!

🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.

Mastering the Commute: Episode 13 – How Highway Numbers Really Work (and Why I-60 Doesn’t Exist)

Ever seen a meme showing I-50 or I-60 running across the U.S.? Spoiler: they don’t exist—and there's a fascinating reason why. In this 6-minute episode, I take you through the history and logic of America’s highway and interstate numbering systems, from the old U.S. Highways like Route 66 to the massive Eisenhower Interstate system.

We’ll explore:
🚧 Why I-50 and I-60 were skipped
🛣️ The difference between U.S. Highways and Interstates
🔢 How loops, spurs, and 3-digit interstates get their numbers
🛑 The politics behind strange routes like I-99 and I-238
🌎 Why California and New York freeways love naming things (hello “the 405”)
🌾 What’s up with State Highways, County Roads, and Texas Farm-to-Market roads

🎯 Whether you’re a daily commuter or a fellow road geek, this one’s packed with facts you’ve probably never heard—plus a few rabbit holes for the truly curious.

📲 Get more maps, visuals, and extras for this episode at:

[Episode 13 page on our website]

📧 Have a highway mystery or a weird sign story? Email me: freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com

📺 Don’t forget to subscribe and check out our new daily YouTube Shorts: @MasteringTheCommute
#InterstateSystem #HighwayMystery #MasteringTheCommute #RoadGeek #TrafficTips #USHighways #FreewayFacts #WhyNoI60

Send us a text

Support the show

🚦 New Episodes Every Wednesday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!
Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Wednesday morning at 8 AM ET.

🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.

🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!

🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.

Episode 12 – The Power of Cruise Control: How to Drive Smoother & Save Money

Cruise control isn't just for long road trips—it's one of the most underrated tools for everyday driving. In this episode, Randy Keith reveals how using cruise control can reduce fatigue, improve fuel efficiency, and even cut down on traffic jams.

From standard cruise to adaptive cruise control (ACC), you'll learn when to use it, when not to, and why it can make you a safer, more consistent driver.

Randy also shares a personal story about his 6-hour drive to Atlanta without cruise control—and the speeding ticket that almost followed. Whether you’re a cruise control skeptic or a daily user, this episode offers new insight into how cruise can enhance your driving habits.

💬 Have thoughts on ACC or your own cruise control habits? Email Randy at freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com

📲 Subscribe and follow: DriveSmarterNow.com
🔗 YouTube + Facebook: @MasteringTheCommute

Send us a text

Support the show

🚦 New Episodes Every Wednesday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!
Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Wednesday morning at 8 AM ET.

🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.

🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!

🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.