Whether you are driving in New York City or driving in any major city in the United States, it can be a stressful and challenging experience for someone who has never driven in a city.  City driving is by far one of the most challenging driving experiences for anybody to tackle for the first time because it requires an enormous amount of concentration.  

If you have to get behind the wheel of a car in a major city, it’s important to be prepared by having the proper knowledge of how to drive in the city.  Once you get the hang of it, driving in a major city can be an exciting and rewarding experience.  Let’s jump into our tips and tricks to driving in the city.  

Awareness

The number one tip to driving in the city is awareness is key.  You always want to be aware of your surroundings and pay extreme attention to traffic lights.  In city driving, you should look ahead of the traffic to get an idea of what is coming up.  Being aware of what’s around you will help you avoid accidents and collisions so much more, and always be ready to stop.  

Another thing to be aware of is the traffic signs.  When driving in the city, traffic signs are so much more important to pay attention to because you could accidentally drive too fast past a construction zone or a school zone, as these show up much more prevalent and quickly in the city.  This could result in either an accident or a ticket, so always be aware of your speed and pay attention to these signs.  

Lastly, in city car driving you should look at the traffic lights.  Traffic lights in the city are so much more important compared to outside of the city.  In smaller towns outside of the city, you might be used to stopping at a yellow or speeding past a fresh red light but in a city, this would be very dangerous.  

Always pay attention to the traffic lights and follow the standard traffic light rules and laws to prevent a bad experience.  

Patience

We understand that driving in the city can be a nerve-wracking experience which is why it’s important to take your time and have patience.  Try to be friendly and kind to other drivers on the road.  You will have to deal with some careless drivers in the cities, but don’t be like them!  

If you want to be safe on the road, and the pedestrians around you, have patience.  Everyone is in a rush to reach their destination but driving smart will get you there safely.  

Planning your routes before you start driving will boost your confidence on the road.  This is a huge part of how to drive in city car driving.  Being prepared and knowing what the streets and roads will look like is a great method to not getting lost.  

Using a GPS will always direct you on the fastest route to your destination, and if an accident or an unexpected event comes on the road, the GPS will automatically re-route you to ensure you get to your destination as quickly as possible.  

Never allow yourself to be an unsafe driver.  Things on the road might make you angry, but staying calm will not only protect you, and your fellow passengers but will also protect others on the road including pedestrians.  

Avoiding Traffic

When driving in the city, you may be able to avoid traffic by always using your GPS and listening to traffic reports on the local radio stations.  If your GPS recommends an alternate route, you should always just take it.  Generally, these alternative routes might make you feel like you are driving in circles but it is still a better option than being stuck in a traffic jam.  

Taking side streets to avoid traffic might seem like a hassle, but it gives you the opportunity to extend your driving skills and experience something new. 

The Worst Driving Cities

When we talk about the worst driving cities in the world, Mumbai is the worst city to drive in the world, but when it comes to the worst driving cities in the US would be Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City due to the amount of traffic and congestion on the roads.  

Luckily, if you follow our driving tips to staying safe while driving in the city, you will be prepared next time you need to get behind the wheel.  Always remember to DriveSmart, and in the event that your vehicle does malfunction while in the city, it’s always best to have an extended auto warranty to help you out.  Not only will the roadside assistance take care of your vehicle with ease, but it will save you from a hefty auto repair bill.  

Written By: Stephen Lubas