There are a number of factors that must also be taken into consideration. Traffic, of course, is the main variable. And I will reiterate the number one rule of this game: Playing it does not mean you should drive like an asshole and inconvenience everyone around you! My emphasis added. Part of the game's challenge, in fact, is pacing your vehicle so that despite the fact you are forgoing any excess force, you are also inconspicuous amongst other travelers. This being said, some drivers are real jerks. They'll be angry no matter what you do. Those people don't count. That applies to this specific situation and more broadly to life.

Anticipating the terrain is integrally important. A successful competitor uses downhills for acceleration and then calculates the effect of the upcoming hill on their spacing between other vehicles. You quickly learn that depending on how you handle turns, they can be used to speed up or slow down. Some of my favorite local areas to play the game have long runs of hills and curves that are in decent enough condition to allow the car to coast for a mile or two without touching a pedal.

But I promised to make you a better driver, and I know you're anxious to get to the part that relates to making you better. So here's the best part. Just by playing the game, you will be a better driver. No extra steps, no hidden homework. I've integrated a number of mechanisms of action to change your driving behavior without you feeling a thing.

First, this game requires maximal awareness of the road, other vehicles, stoplights, potential hazards, road conditions, traffic flow, etc. One of the fastest growing causes of car accidents today comes from a lack of attention paid to the road. With phone calls, texting, and sweet sound systems vying for drivers' attentions, the art of scanning your periphery has been forsaken in favor of checking your phone. Just lifting your eyes up and out increases your abilities immensely as a everyday driver.

While minimizing usage of the gas and brakes serves as the framework for the game as a whole, it's also one of the most energy efficient ways to drive, and therefore decreases your carbon footprint! Using less energy makes you a better driver . . . for the planet!!!!! Not to mention that once you play the game enough, it can start to affect which route you take, opting for well paved roads with a faster traffic flow. Knowledge is power.

The final benefit of this revolutionary car competition revolves around one's inner well-being. I'm a holistic healer after all. I don't know about you, but oftentimes when I'm commuting home, my mindset is . . . GET ME HOME NOW!!!!!!!! >:- []  I catch myself riding closer and closer to the bumper of the car in front of me. When did I become a monster?