I keep my distance and try to stay well ahead of or behind the pack.

When I go thru an intersection, I carefully study activity on both sides of the intersection to be sure nobody is crashing a light or stop sign. Cops on a chase and emergency vehicles are some of the greatest potential causes of crashes.

When I pass a stopped bus or truck that I can't see over/around, I slow down considerably and/or change lanes to avoid the possibility of hitting a pedestrian who might be crossing the street in front of the stopped vehicle. Also, I drive slower on streets where there are a lot of cars parked on the side of the street, just in case someone pulls out without looking.

I learned a lot by playing Jr & Hi school football ... the concept of another player "leading your interference" (blocking ahead of the runner) ... which increases the security of certain driving moves.

The influx of people from CA, IL & NY have made driving in Nashville more dangerous. A lot of rude, careless drivers on the road now.

You can spot bad drivers on a busy road or freeway ... their taillights come on and off about 10-20 times or more per minute, meaning that they are seriously tailgating and hotdogging other drivers. Then, there are the impetuous lane divers who quickly switch lanes back and forth, thinking they are getting ahead of the game.

I am still extremely lucky that someone hasn't crashed into me. I am also lucky that I have had very few speeding tickets. The last one was 13 years ago ... 65 in a 55 zone on a TN hwy outside a small town where I thought the limit was 65. I usually go 80-85 on Interstate, and 10-15+ faster on other roads.

I ceased extreme fast driving long ago after I learned that vehicles can go airborne and crash uncontrollably into pieces.

As 7:77 once observed, speed itself isn't as critical as differentials in speeds on crowded freeways ... e.g., some lanes going 80+ and other lanes going 50-55.

Actually, speed doesn't kill ... it's the abrupt, instantaneous STOP!!