Passing your driving test is a big achievement, but this doesn’t mean the learning stops there. Driving is one activity that never stops evolving; there’s always new skills required and new challenges to overcome. One such challenge is driving in a busy city.
If you have lived in a small town or quiet state most of your life, city driving can be an overwhelming experience, no matter how long the journey is. Thankfully, this article has four of the best ways to guarantee you will drive safely in the city.
Practice, Practice, Practice
It is never too early to begin practicing city driving. This is the best thing you can do to prepare yourself for driving in and around busy areas. With more and more practice, the action of driving in a city will become second nature. To do this properly, you might hire a professional driving instructor to teach you and offer advice.
Driving lessons can be used prior to passing your test or as an advance driving course. It is best to find an instructor that is based in the city as they will have vast experience of the driving skills you require. For example, those who wish to learn how to drive in the narrow streets of New York City might find Ferrari Driving School Brooklyn NY to be the best candidate. This driving school’s certified instructors can help drivers build their confidence to drive safely in the Big Apple.
Breathe Through the Nerves
Nerves can quickly become an issue when you’re driving, especially when you are driving somewhere new and/or busy. It can be difficult to overcome nerves in this situation, but it is possible with some effort and time. A good starting step would be to give yourself a minute or two before setting off. It will let you check you have everything you need to avoid heading back home if you forget something.
Some driving situations are out of our control, and this is a good fact to remember. Something might happen that will cause you stress. If this does happen, you can practice techniques to calm yourself down. You can stop in a safe place, take long breaths in and out, and regain your confidence in your own time.
Map the Journey Ahead of Time
Whether it’s just a short trip to the other side of town or you are visiting a new city, mapping the route you will take is vital. This allows you to know your destination before you start the car’s engine. As cities are often busier than other areas, planning ahead can be crucial.
There are a few ways you can map out your journey. You might need an up-to-date map or a Satnav that includes all of the main highways and other major roads. The Satnav is often the easier option to choose as it automatically updates the driver to any directions and road issues ahead on the route.
Planning ahead can go further than making sure you know the route you will take; it can also mean giving yourself enough time before you leave. If you are rushing around prior to driving, this can affect your nerves, which is more likely to impact how safe you drive.
Reduce the Risk of Distraction
Driving requires all of your concentration. After all, you ae in control of a metal box that can lose control if driven incorrectly. Remaining focused throughout your journey helps to keep your reaction time quick, which will reduce the risk of you being in an accident.
You should avoid fiddling with belongings or car settings, both of which are considered to be distractions. Texting and calling others are one of the most common forms of distraction when driving and the most dangerous. Forbes reported in 2024 that 37% of drivers confessed to reading a text or email in the month before the survey.
