Well, it's Wednesday. You know what that means?

I'm tired.

In fact, I was so tired that I had to use all my power not to fall asleep during the evening commute. This was difficult, as it was pitch black at 6:15. That and the fact that I could only go 5 mph at times.

My question is: Where do all these people come from? And why are they leaving work at the same time I do?

I have a suggestion: Forget 9 to 5 (or 8 to 6 or 10 to 4) and let's be more flexible with the work schedule? It's the 21st century. People can telecommute. There's no reason that every working person South Florida has to be in the car at the same time. (I know, we really have no viable public transportation, but that's another story for another blog.)

It's bad enough that I have to drive 28 miles to work (and 28 miles back) each day. Yes, I know some people drive further, and I thank the employment gods that I don't have to cross a county line (as I did in the late 1990s). My goal is to make that drive as quick and painless as possible.

So, I've come up with a few suggestions:

1. If you see people who have been in an accident but look OK on the side of the road, keep driving. There's no need to gawk at them. If everything's under control, it's not your problem.

2. If you see people who have been in an accident and everything's not under control, it's OK to pull over and ask if there's anything you can do to help. However, you must pull over to the shoulder and not block any travel lanes. Do this quickly, then return to your car and be on your way.

3. If an accident occurs in the middle travel lane of an interstate highway or a similar road, drive past it as quickly as possible. Again, no need to slow down and inspect it. If you're unfortunate enough to be in the same lane as the accident, you may not see the obstruction coming. That's OK. It's not your fault. But when you realize what's in your way, pick the lane to your left or right and move there. (Using your turn signal before you do this would be a nice touch.)

4. If you are riding on a highway that has so-called "smart signs" across the travel lanes every so often, read them when you notice they are lit. But, please, read them quickly and keep moving. It's one thing to be going 60 mph. It's another thing to be going 60 mph and have to slam on your breaks because the person in front of you is a slow reader. Also, if the sign has a warning about a lane blockage or accident coming up at some point in your route, take the opportunity this advance notice affords you and pick another route. If you read the message, don't adjust your route and get held up in traffic, you have no one to blame but yourself.

5. If you have a cell phone, and you must be on it constantly, buy one of those nifty earpieces. It's bad enough you're going to be distracted by a phone call. The rest of us don't need to deal with a person driving like a maniac, holding the cell phone in one hand and twirling her hair with the other. (And, yes, I'm talking to you, gum-popping girl in the Honda Civic on the Garden State Parkway.)

6. And, finally, if you have an iPod, I highly recommend plugging it in and listening to it on any long drive. It does make a difference. Just don't use those ear buds. They're horrendous.

Following these six simple steps will make your commute (and mine) a much more enjoyable experience. Happy driving!