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Here's one way to avoid rush hour traffic.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has approved Terrafugia's flying car for road use, granting special exemptions for the Transition "roadable aircraft." You can't take off out of traffic gridlock, but the move means you can drive it to the nearest airport.

The exemptions clear the way for shipping to begin from Terrafugia's Massachusetts plant following testing. The flying car is slated to enter production this year, with shipping in 2012, according to gadget blog Crave.

Terrafugia says the Transition, which notched its maiden flight in 2009, is "the first (light airplane) to incorporate automotive safety features such as a purpose-built energy absorbing crumple zone, a rigid carbon fiber occupant safety cage, and automotive-style driver and passenger airbags."

The Transition is tentatively priced around $250,000. Terrafugia is taking reservations with a $10,000 refundable deposit, and says it already has about 100 orders.

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