Find a better road. I commute everywhere by bicycle, and the most important thing to do is be completely predictable. Use hand signals, take the lane if there's no shoulder, stop at traffic signals, make eye contact with drivers, have a mirror on your bike/helmet, etc. Basically act like you're driving any other vehicle on the road. If taking the lane's not possible, ride on a side street with less traffic where it is. If that's still not possible, then take the lane anyways. Better to have drivers go around you when they know they can than to be sideswiped because they thought they could squeeze by.