Rubber meets road: A savvy driver’s blueprint for conquering the city

Are you new in the city and hesitant about driving in an unfamiliar urban environment? Driving in the city is not like driving in the countryside. The entire experience, including the potential dangers, is very different. You need the techniques for when rubber meets the road in a busy city. 

This is your savvy driver’s blueprint for conquering the concrete jungle.  

Learn how to navigate urban terrain

Learn how to react to the various traffic signals, to avoid traffic violations and resulting fines. Ensure you understand the right-of-way rules. These are the rules governing the order in which motorists (and pedestrians) can move at road junctions, zebra crossings, and merging lanes. 

But most of all, learn to be patient because one of the biggest problems with urban driving is road congestion, otherwise known as traffic jams. These pockets of road congestion cause tempers to fly high, and motorists may become reckless to make up for the time lost.  

Consistent vehicle maintenance saves money and hassles

With routine maintenance checks, you’ll identify issues which, if ignored, can lead to major mechanical failure down the line. A regular maintenance schedule can prevent breakdowns and costly repairs. 

Even better, consistent vehicle maintenance can also help lower car insurance premiums. Many insurers offer discounts for well-maintained cars, as it reduces the risk of mechanical failure and accidents. 

If you want to save money and hassles, get into the habit of doing maintenance checks or take your vehicle in for a service. Follow the guidelines on your manufacturer’s warranty to know how often this is required.

Understanding basic parking regulations is a must

In the countryside, you probably have ample space to park. In the city, parking space is limited and the demand for it is high. This can cause motorists to park where they shouldn’t. Unless you want to rack up parking tickets and fines, understand these basic parking regulations. 

• Do you see a double yellow line? Move along. No waiting, loading, or unloading is allowed on double yellow lines. 
• No stopping is allowed on single yellow lines either. Although sometimes you can,  between certain hours. There should be signage explaining the details nearby.  If you don’t see any, treat it like you would a double yellow line and move along.
• Red routes are areas where stopping a vehicle could be dangerous. Therefore, if you see red lines on the road, don’t park your vehicle, or even stop to load/offload goods or passengers.
• Stopping or waiting in your vehicle on yellow zig-zag lines is strictly prohibited. These are often found outside schools, hospitals, and emergency services buildings like police and fire stations. 

Be prepared for anything with a defensive driving course

Accidents can and do happen, in the blink of an eye. The quicker your reaction time, the better. This is where defensive driving can help. It can reduce the risk of accidents in situations where fast-changing conditions can lead to unexpected hazards. 

Take a defensive driving course, and you’ll feel more confident to handle the fast pace of urban driving. It may even help you to avoid an accident in the future.

Adapt to changing weather conditions for safer winter driving 

Adjust your driving techniques in rain, snow, or fog. Urban areas have more motorists, more pedestrians, and also more road challenges. In severe weather, road visibility can be dramatically impaired, and speeding can be even more dangerous.  

• If you’re buying a used car to use in the city, ensure that a thorough vehicle check is done. This will tell you whether or not the vehicle is up to the challenges of urban winter driving. 
• Avoid driving in ice and snow or very heavy windstorms unless essential. Turn on your lights in these or heavy fog conditions, slow down, and keep a safe distance from the driver in front. 
• Don’t speed during severe weather! Indeed, don’t speed in general. You could be putting your vehicle and your life at risk to save a few minutes on the road.  
• Change your tyres when the weather calls for it. Invest in winter tyres in areas that experience severe and prolonged cold weather. Snow tyres offer better traction in heavy snow.

Enhance your driving experience with technology 

Explore the various apps and gadgets to assist with GPS tracking,  navigation, traffic alerts, and parking in the city. And familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s driver-assist technology.

Many modern vehicles have a wide range of driver assistance features that can help you stay safe on the roads. Check your owner’s manual and any other literature that the auto manufacturer or dealer supplied you with. It will detail which technologies are available, and how to use them.  

Stay informed about local driving laws

Ignorance of local traffic laws will not save you from liability in an accident. All drivers are expected to know the rules of the road. 

Stay up-to-date on local traffic laws and driving regulations. Although these do not change frequently, they sometimes are amended. You’ll find the latest driving regulations listed on the government’s Highway Code site.