“Usually we don’t do this during rush hour,” says Ben Shukman. He’s driving a Lincoln MKZ sedan, trying to exit a gas station driveway and cross four lanes of traffic so he can make a left at the light 20 yards ahead. It’s 5 pm in Palo Alto, and Silicon Valley commuters are crawling home, leaving few gaps between the cars. Finally, the car in the closest lane stops, leaving a space for him. The car in the next lane over does too. Shukman slides in and makes the left.
