Yikes. City driving is a mess. Regardless of when you head out, there are always too many people on the road, and judging by the way they're driving, they all have somewhere to be-20 minutes ago. If you're from the country, don't worry. You can survive your big city driving experience with no trouble. Here's how.
Avoid rush hour traffic. Okay. This isn't a driving tip-just friendly advice. If you're nervous about driving in a city, the worst time to go out into the city streets is during rush hour.
Plan your route beforehand and have a trusty navigator in the passenger seat. When you plan your route, have a good map with you, and try to take side streets when possible. Streets labeled as one way are often more predictable and easier to drive on.
Stay in the right hand lane. Not only will it put you amongst the more cautious of the city drivers, it will also put you out of harms way when aggressive drivers try to switch lanes to avoid buses.
Watch for cyclists. Many cities have a bike lane next to the right hand lane of traffic. Bicyclists are supposed to obey the same traffic signs and signals of cars. But, like motorists, some cyclists don't follow the law. Be on the lookout for cyclists, and pay attention to one when you see her.
Keep up with traffic. Your navigator should be in charge of monitoring the signs and looking for your next turn or parking space. While driving, focus on keeping you and your passengers safe, and nothing else.
Change lanes several intersections before you need to make a turn. Have your navigator give you half mile warning before you need to make a turn. This way, you can change lanes as you feel comfortable.
