City driving often takes years to master. Don't be too harsh on yourself if all the different lanes, backed-up roads, and impatient drivers intimidate you. Your driving will get better with practice. In the meantime, these city driving safety tips have your back.
What to Expect When Driving in the City
Driving in the city is worlds different from driving in rural areas. On urban roads, you can expect to come across:
Traffic jams
Lots of pedestrians and bikers
Unexpected road closures
One-way roads
Unpredictable drivers
7 Tips for Driving Safely in a City
As you can see, driving in the city brings a lot of challenges. Here are seven things you can do to get to your destination safely.
1. Rethink Rush Hour Driving
Avoid driving during rush hour, if possible. Roads are most congested from 7 a.m to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. More vehicles on the road mean you're more likely to get into an accident. But if you really have to hit the road, follow the dos and don'ts of driving in traffic.
2. Avoid All Distractions
City driving demands all your attention, so distracted driving is a big no-no. Be it because of pedestrians jaywalking, cars backing out of parking spaces, or turn-only lanes, your eyes must always be on the road.
Put down your phone, turn down the stereo if you need to, and keep passenger chatter to a minimum. It's estimated that 3,142 people lost their lives due to distracted driving in 2020 alone.
3. Watch Out for Pedestrians
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users. In 2021, 7,485 pedestrians died in crashes — the highest amount in 40 years.
Protect pedestrians by yielding to them on marked crossings. Even if a pedestrian is jaywalking, let them cross safely. Children, especially, tend to ignore marked crossings and walk onto the road wherever, so pay close attention!
4. Always Double Check Blind Spots
You might not see other vehicles and bicycles at intersections because of your blind spots. This is especially dangerous in big cities, where there's more traffic. Before turning, double check that no driver or biker is hiding where you can't see them.
5. Don't Follow Vehicles Too Closely
Driving in the city means braking often. Sometimes because a pedestrian is crossing the road, and other times because a traffic light is turning red. How can you brake without ramming the vehicle in front of you? Easy — by maintaining a three-second safe following distance.
6. Use Navigation Apps
Apps like Google Maps and Waze help you stay on the right path, especially when you're not familiar with the roads. They tell you when and where to turn, so you don't have to frantically read street names. This way, you can focus on the flow of traffic.
7. Stay Calm
Road rage won't make traffic move faster. Quite the opposite: aggressive driving caused more than half of all accidents in 2020, which led to even more clogged roads.
When you get stuck in traffic, take a deep breath and just accept you'll get to your destination late. Safety always comes first. The next time, budget more time for your drive because traffic is virtually inevitable.
Take a Shortcut to Becoming a Better Driver
Most people become good drivers the hard way — with lots of experience and some close encounters with dangerous situations. But you can take a shortcut with defensive driving classes. You'll learn what to do when driving in inclement weather, how to deal with aggressive drivers, and so much more. And since you can take classes online at your own pace, becoming a better driver is now easier than ever!
Urban or city driving involves a variety of complex driving situations. Spaces are limited; you deal with lots of cars, bicyclists, pedestrians, buses and one-way streets. If you are driving too fast and don't pay attention, you can hit a person, parked car, or make a sudden stop or maneuver which could cause other drivers to collide with your vehicle. In city driving, you should be prepared to stop or slow down suddenly. Cover braking provides a smooth transition from acceleration to braking and is effective for slowing in reduced stopping distances. During heavy traffic it is very important to maintain a proper distance between vehicles in your front, side, and rear zones. Also be aware of brake lights, since it is very common for the flow of traffic to suddenly slow or even come to a complete stop.
In city driving, you should be prepared to stop or slow down suddenly. Cover braking provides a smooth transition from acceleration to braking and is effective for slowing in reduced stopping distances.
The cover braking technique involves taking your right foot off the accelerator and holding it over the brake pedal. If you have to stop quickly, your foot is already above the brake pedal and is in the perfect position to press the brake. This method will improve your reaction time. So, whenever you identify a hazard, cover the brake to prepare for sudden stops or slowing. When covering the brake, be careful not to rest your foot on the brake pedal (also known as riding the brake). Riding the brake is not recommended; it will only confuse other drivers and add unnecessary wear to the brakes.
Covering the brakes is recommended when:
Passing parked cars, as they may pull out in front of you or swing open a door
You see cars in front of you with their brake lights on
Approaching a signal light in a busy intersection (look for traffic build up and flashing crosswalk lights as these indicate that the light is about to change)
One-way streets are common in city areas. You will recognize one-way streets from the signs and markings on the road. Broken white lines separate traffic lanes on one-way streets. You will not see yellow markings on a one-way street.
When driving on one-way streets with multi-lanes, always choose the lane with fewest hazards. Middle lanes usually have the best flow. Follow the speed limit and maintain a speed consistent with the traffic flow.
If you encounter an oncoming vehicle (going the wrong way on one-way street), don't panic. Slow down and try to get the drivers attention by flashing your headlights and honking your horn loudly. If this does not work, pull over and let it pass.
When exiting a one-way street, look for signs which will indicate whether you are turning into a one-way or a two-way street. Use right lanes for making right turns and left lanes for making left turns. U-turns are not allowed on one-way streets.
Updated 1/5/23