Driving in general is no joke, but driving in a city is another beast entirely. You are constantly bombarded by loud noises, pedestrians who don’t care about red lights, one-way streets, and the dreaded construction.
It’s no surprise that city drivers are a stony cold sort, facing these sorts of issues every single day. If you’re new to driving in a city, or just simply visiting, you’ll quickly need to adapt to these ways of the road.
If you’re planning on taking a trip to your nearest big city sometime soon, follow the advice below to keep yourself and others as safe as possible.
Plan Your Route
You’re in a big city; unfortunately, that means there’s going to be traffic. Like, a lot of traffic. Your best bet is to plan your route ahead of time, take note of any road closures that could impact your trip, and make sure to leave on time. In fact, you may even want to leave 15 minutes earlier than you originally intended—you never know what can happen out on the roads.
Avoid Rush Hour
For the sake of your sanity, do your best to avoid getting in your car between the hours of 4 and 6 unless necessary. You will find yourself in bumper-to-bumper traffic for a minimum of 45 minutes, if not longer, and terribly late to wherever you’re going. Either leave midday, or save your auto-based travel until around 7.
Be On Defence
City driving is an unfriendly, soulless place, where people will cut you off just at the idea of getting ahead (which they won’t). Folks can be angry, unfocused, and unafraid to tell you how they’re feeling via inappropriate hand gestures and a car horn. It feels like everyone else is playing offence, so your best bet to get where you need to go safely and securely means playing defence. Keep a safe distance when you can, and be ready to jump to action at a moment's notice.
Remain Calm
It can be difficult to remain calm in such an overwhelming space, especially if you’re not a fan of claustrophobic experiences. We promise that getting heated at your situation won’t make anything better—the only thing speeding up is your heart rate.
Keeping a calm, cool, and clear mind will also help you remain aware of your surroundings, as speeding off in a fit of rage can lead to accidents that could’ve been easily avoided.
Stay Alert
When driving in a city, you’re among pedestrians, bikers, and the odd pigeon that has found its way into the road. Unlike cars, which are clunky and easily seen, these smaller beings that you have to share the road with will slip in and out of view at a moment's notice. It’s important to continuously scan your surroundings and keep an eye on your mirrors, as something or someone could be seriously injured if you’re not careful.
