Driving is not for everyone, and it may be much more challenging if you live in a major city. You’re probably from a small town and aren’t used to the hustle and bustle of city life, or you’re simply terrified by the prospect of driving through a metropolis with hundreds of thousands of people. It is normal to feel this way, and that is why this article is here to guide you. If you are planning to enter any of the big cities soon like New York, Chicago, California, and so on, here are a few tips to help you survive driving in these places.
- Lookout For Pedestrians And Cyclists
It is essential to always remember that pedestrians and cyclists will always be in these cities. You have to ensure the safety of passersby even as you drive through. You may ask, ‘what happens if I hit a pedestrian in California?’ There are options you may take, like contacting a pedestrian attorney to help you carefully assess the matter.
While it’s true that some pedestrians may be unaware of the dos and don’ts of strolling along the side of the road, it’s also true that some pedestrians may be unaware of the rules of the road. Regardless, the driver is usually held responsible for the collision. As a result, you must avoid making any assumptions. Make every effort to ensure the safety of others, and remember that their safety is also your duty.
- Avoid Rush-Hour Traffic
If you’ve ever visited a large city, you’ll know that the roadways are frequently congested. However, at particular times of the day, they become increasingly busy. It would be preferable if you could avoid traveling between the hours of 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. These are often the busiest hours of the day as most people are either rushing to work or heading back home at those hours. In addition to the heavy traffic, most drivers are often aggressive and impatient to get home in time. To ensure your driving is easier and safer, it’s best to avoid these hours.
- Plan For Parking
Getting a parking lot could be a big deal in big cities. While deciding the time to leave home, you have to include an additional 20 minutes to find a suitable spot. Don’t forget that parking anywhere asides from the legal places would result in your car getting towed, which could go as wrong as canceling your entire trip for Driving In Major Cities. If you want to have a less stressful time driving, you must plan for parking even as you schedule your trip.
- Be Careful Of One-Ways
Big cities often have higher numbers of one-way streets. You might be confused, especially if you are new to the area. This means that you have to be extra careful and attentive to road signs. Do not mistake turning the opposite direction in a one-way street. It could be very dangerous.
- Be Proactive
Being proactive is a vital culture to be imbibed when driving in major cities. If you have to make a turn to the right, you should have decided that before getting to the turning, at least two blocks ways. This would give you enough time to change lanes. Switching lanes can be pretty tricky, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Therefore, take every necessary step before time.
- Beware Of Taxis
Most taxis are often in a hurry to move as soon as possible to drop their clients to their destinations and to pick up more. Therefore, they could take a turn or switch lanes even when you are not prepared for it. To avoid any problems, it’s best to remain a safe distance from any taxis in the area. This provides you with plenty of time and space to anticipate any unexpected movements.
- Take Note Of Crosswalks
As you know, pedestrians’ lives matter. There are quite a few crosswalks in big cities. Crosswalks are designated for pedestrians to cross a road, street, or avenue. They are often regulated by street lights.
However, not all crosswalks have traffic lights that control movements. This is especially in suburban communities. Pedestrians could hence get on the crosswalks at any time. You should therefore be ready to slow down when you sight any crosswalk in view for a pedestrian to cross through the road safely.
- Be Careful Of Parked Cars On Both Sides
Most big cities in the States have parking problems due to the dense population. Parking lots are designed on each side of the road to curb this problem for many streets. You should be aware of this.
It also means that there would be a lot of running across the road by people trying to get their cars to the parking lot. This could make the drivers on such roads very susceptible to collision. So, you may have to be a lookout for such drivers to avoid any collision while driving.
- Keep On The Right Lane
Remote towns usually have roads with about one or two lanes. However, big cities could have roads with about six lanes. Therefore, you must constantly check and ensure that you are on the right lanes of the highway. Consequently, you wouldn’t have so much need to jump lanes all the time, which could make you susceptible to collision.
Conclusion
Driving into a big city for the first time might come with confusion and challenges. But you don’t have to worry, with time and the right tips, you can become well-adjusted. Following the tips above can help you stay out of trouble, protect your life and those around you, and help you survive the horror of driving in big cities.