For many people, it begins with a vacation road trip. We plan for months, pack the car the night before and even nail the coveted crack-of-dawn departure. Roads are quiet, the forecast bright and the kids marvel at a lovely sunrise. It is an auspicious start and everyone looks forward to reaching the destination in time for lunch.

An hour or two later there is a collective sigh as the car creeps forward only occasionally on the snarled interstate. Horns sound as frustrated drivers on a nearby entrance ramp jockey for space while you wonder aloud what could cause such a delay. Whether road construction, a traffic accident or plain old holiday volume is to blame, you almost knew this would happen because it usually does.

As you unconsciously squeeze the steering wheel and your disposition

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