Ever notice how some drivers seem to slip through gridlock like it’s nothing? It’s not magic—it’s technique. Stunt drivers train to make split-second decisions at high speeds, but their best tricks work at any speed, including rush hour. If you want to cut through traffic without reckless moves (or a police speeding ticket), take a lesson from the pros.

Two of the best in the business are Bobby Ore and Jonathan Wessel. Ore has trained Hollywood A-listers like Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie for high-speed chase scenes. Wessel, an actor and stunt performer, shares real-world driving techniques on his YouTube channel. Their tips aren’t about flooring it—they’re about control. Here’s how they stay ahead of traffic while everyone else is slamming the brakes.

Mirror positioning: the key to seeing traffic before it sees you

Most drivers have blind spots because they set their mirrors wrong. Ore and Wessel both say you can eliminate them entirely, improving efficiency and safety.

“Your side mirrors are too close,” Ore warns. “If you can see the edge of your car, the mirror’s tilted too far in.” Wessel agrees, saying, “You shouldn’t be able to see your car at all.” Instead, angle them outward so they just overlap with your rearview mirror.

Why does this matter? Because traffic is predictable—if you can see it. Properly set mirrors let you track cars moving up beside you, meaning fewer surprises and better lane choices.

Shuffle steering: keep control without overcorrecting–like a stunt driver

Wessel learned this technique in stunt driving school, and he swears by it. Most drivers turn using hand-over-hand steering—which is a huge mistake.

“It’s not recommended that you drive that way,” he says. Why? First, your hands cross over the airbag, meaning if it deploys, you’re punching yourself in the face. Second, it reduces control in tight situations.

Instead, pros use shuffle steering. Wessel explains:

• To turn right, pull the wheel up with your left hand while your right hand slides up to meet it.
• Then, pull the wheel down with your right hand while your left hand slides down.
• Repeat as needed. Never cross your arms. Never take a hand off the wheel.

This method keeps your arms relaxed, your hands clear of the airbag, and your steering precise.

Stunt drivers control speed with their eyes, not their foot

Stop-and-go traffic jams are mostly driver error. People speed up too much, slam their brakes, and create phantom traffic jams that slow everyone down.

Ore’s solution? “Keep your eyes up and on the horizon.” The farther ahead you look, the more time you have to adjust smoothly instead of braking last second.

Braking too much is another mistake. “If you want to wear your brakes out real quick,” Ore jokes, “go ahead and ride them.” Instead, maintain a steady speed by coasting when possible.

Want another trick? Use engine braking. Instead of hitting the brakes, ease off the gas early and let the car slow naturally. Stunt drivers use this technique in high-speed maneuvers, but it works just as well in rush hour.

Move smarter, not harder

Most drivers waste time in traffic because they react instead of anticipate. Stunt drivers don’t just react—they control the situation. They adjust their mirrors, position their car perfectly, and stay ahead of the flow.

If you want to get through traffic like a pro, forget flooring it. Master these techniques, and you’ll move smarter, not harder. You can see Wessel demonstrate efficient driving in the video below: