IX.

Demands of City Driving

Reducing Speed

Speed is the enemy of responsible, safe driving. There are four advantages to driving at reduced speed:

Having that extra time makes it possible to execute decisions, such as take an evasive action, make a lane change or make a safe stop.

Looking Ahead of Traffic

Traffic experts advise drivers to look ahead at least 12 seconds or about one city block. This will allow you to spot stopped traffic, stalled vehicles, collisions or lanes under construction.

Leave enough space between the vehicle ahead and you (at least 4-second following distance) and vehicles around you. This will help in case you have to stop or change lanes quickly. Looking ahead will also help you get through signaled intersections safely. If a light has been green for some time, it's about to turn yellow. Be prepared to stop. Do not try to beat the light.

Covering the Brake, Not Riding It

There'll be times when you should be prepared to stop for unexpected actions of other drivers or possible emergencies. For instance, cover your brake while driving next to parked cars; a car may pull out of a space or someone might open the door on the traffic side. You should do the same thing when you see brake lights of other cars or when approaching signal lights. These are early warning signs for you to stop.

City Passing

Remember, you're not allowed to pass over the center line of travel, except to make a left turn into a driveway. You're also not allowed to pass a vehicle in or near an intersection as it compounds an already dangerous situation.

Choosing A Lane

Many roads have two or more lanes going in your direction. These lanes are separated by broken white lines. You must choose which lane to use. Drive in the lane that has the smoothest flow of traffic. You will save fuel.

If you can choose among three lanes on your side of the road, pick the middle lane for the smoothest driving. If you want to go faster, pass, or turn left, use the left lane. When you drive slowly, enter, or turn off the road, use the right lane.

If only two lanes go in your direction, pick the right lane for the smoothest driving.

Don't weave - stay in one traffic lane as much as possible. Before changing lanes, check your mirrors for vehicles that may be ready to pass you; also turn your head and check beside your vehicle to see if any vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is in your blind spot and to be sure there is enough room for your vehicle in the next lane.

Once you start through an intersection, keep going. If you start to make a turn, follow through. Last second changes may cause collisions. If you missed a turn, continue on to the next intersection and work your way back to where your want to go.

Vehicular Position

Here are six safe vehicle positioning tips:

Choosing a Safe Route

Driving in city traffic requires some degree of planning. Avoid morning and late afternoon rush hours unless it is absolutely necessary. If a through street is congested, use side streets. You may have more stop signs but driving would be less stressful. One-way streets are safer and faster to drive on than two-way streets. Traffic on a one-way street flows much more smoothly.

Special Problems With City Traffic

Here's a brief rundown of what to expect in city traffic.

Cross traffic and pedestrians are often obscured from your view due to parked cars. Your lane of travel may be blocked for some reason (stalled vehicle, collision, road repair.) Expect to make a lane change. You'll be able to handle this situation better if you have been looking ahead.

Using a two-way left turn center lane always requires special precaution. Look for another vehicle coming your way, also wanting to make a left turn. 

Before making a right hand turn at a corner, turn your signal on at least 200 ft. prior to approaching the corner, watch for pedestrians and bicycles and drivers completing their left turn. Complete your right turn in the right lane. 

Follow the following steps while driving on one-way streets. One-way streets are identified with a black sign with a white arrow on it. In the center of the arrow it will say "one-way." If the direction of travel is going to the right, enter the right lane; if it is going to the left, enter in the left lane. After making the turn, go with the flow of traffic. When exiting from a one-way street, get in the right lane to turn right; get in the left lane to turn left. 

You may see a driver coming the wrong way on a one-way street. This requires special evasive action. Honk your horn or flash your lights to warn the driver; he may be simply confused or unfamiliar with the area. If this does not work, be ready to pull off the road.

City driving requires special regard for pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians have a right-of-way at corners, whether or not the crosswalks are marked by painted white lines. Do not pass a vehicle from behind that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian hidden from your view may be crossing. 

Bicycle riders on public streets have the same right and responsibilities as car drivers. Although bicyclists will normally ride near the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, they can legally move left to turn left, to pass another vehicle or bicycle, or to avoid debris or parked cars. They may have to swerve to avoid a car door suddenly opening. Expect any of these moves by bicyclists in a main traffic lane. Remember, on one-way streets, this can be the left hand lane.

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