All over this country, especially in major cities, the morning and evening commutes have become the toughest part of the day, dreaded by millions of American drivers. After all, in a fast-paced society, the idea of sitting in traffic, barely moving, is enough to raise both blood pressure and negative emotions.

But does it really have to be that way?

Surprisingly, a significant number of American commuters don't think so.

According to the Lemelson-MIT Invention Index™ survey, more than 20 percent of Americans say their best and most creative ideas are born in their cars, while sitting in traffic during the daily commute. As daily driving time increases and that commute takes on a more significant portion of our lives, people seem to be responding to the situation with one of the most powerful tools in the human arsenal--creative thinking.

According to Julie Franklin, an artist based in Riverside, California, the daily drive can actually revitalize the creative process.

"If you can stop worrying about time and traffic, you've got it made," she says. "I have some of my best ideas in the car. I'm alone and there's no pressure to produce. I let my mind wander and before long, here they come."

Franklin's work combines offbeat computer imagery with conventional photography, a new format she says was born on a particularly long commute.

"Ordinarily, I might have been frazzled," she explains. "But the drive actually energized me because the new ideas were so exciting. I mean, where else are you going to get images like that? By watching TV?"

Hardly. Television, in fact, ranked near the bottom of the Lemelson-MIT survey, which questioned over 1,000 working adults. Not only is television a weak stimulus for new ideas, the time factor can be death to creative ideas, since inventors could easily be spending that time in a workshop.

In the mid-'90s, the late Joe Cossman, on of America's greatest entrepreneurs, was asked his feelings on the most important action an inventor could take to ensure success. Cossman replied simply, "Turn off your television."

But once you've done that, how do you find the creative space, a situation that allows you to focus on and grow your ideas? According to Dream Merchant Publisher John Moreland, the space should be quiet and free of distractions, while also housing the tools you like to work with.

"Tools can be inspiring," Moreland says. "You not only use them to do a job, they also stimulate ideas. Often, you wind up wondering how a particular tool could be better or accomplish something easier. They can inspire a lot of 'what if' questions."

It's also important, notes Moreland, to allow your mind to run free, without restrictions or rules. That allows you to think "beyond the problem," where the creative solutions exist. Since commuters are often forced into a space without many options, the mind can focus on new possibilities, without the usual restrictions associated with everyday business.

So the next time you're stuck in heavy traffic, don't fight it. Just shut off the radio and let your mind consider creative ideas and possible solutions to everyday problems.

"You'll be amazed at how effective it is," says Franklin. "After a while, you actually begin looking forward to the long drive."

Mike Foley has been editing the Dream Merchant since 1990. He also teaches writing courses and helps aspiring writers improve their work. Visit his website at: http://www.writers-review.com