I avoid U-Hauls, pizza delivery drivers, and scrapper trucks like the plague. I try to give respect and coiurtesy to mail and UPS trucks, buses, and even (gasp) cabs.

My surest tip-off of a potential near-death experience looming, however, is seeing a Lexus SUV. I think a clean majority of my very close calls in the last year (not many, for the record) involved a Lexus SUV. Especially avoid them when the driver is possibly drunk already (pregame, whoo!) and on his way to a Blackhawks playoff game. And while I normally refuse to concede my legal right-of-way unless it seems like doing so would significantly improve my chances of surviving the commute (or if there are small children involved), I have learned to concede that a left-turning Lexus SUV doesn't ever need to stop or yield for anyone, ever, and plan my ride through the tonier precincts of Chicago accordingly.