KEEPING BUSY WHEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC.

American drivers are growing so accustomed to traffic delays that they consistently find ways to use the time behind the wheel in the pursuit of other activities, such as changing clothes, having picnics, and teaching their pets to drive. A survey by the Pennzoil Products Co., Houston, Tex., queried drivers across the country about what they do in stop-and-go driving.

When asked to name the funniest thing seen or done while stuck in traffic, the most commonly mentioned answers were romantic encounters, talking or singing to oneself, and personal grooming such as changing clothes, styling hair, and flossing teeth. A number of drivers put picnicking, eating, or even cooking on the car engine at the top of the list of things they do in traffic.

Among the animal antics that have amused survey respondents are people arguing with their pets; dashboard-lounging iguanas and steering wheel-perched parrots; dogs and cats "driving" moving vehicles; and dogs excitedly jumping from one pickup truck bed to another.

Individuals have been observed driving with their car's hood up, accidentally igniting themselves by dropping matches in their laps, and offering money to move ahead of the traffic. Respondents reported a car full of clowns, one with all three occupants using cell phones, and a man debating a puppet...