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When driving in the city, you are presented with a unique set of challenges. Drivers who are not used to the busy streets and slower pace of driving can experience frustration. During your Orange County driving school experience, you will learn how to deal with many similar situations. However, these can often be escalated in large cities. Here are a few tips that can help make driving in the city easier.
Dealing With Traffic
Driving in the city, you will encounter traffic jams, bumper to bumper traffic, and tons of pedestrians. If you’re unfamiliar with this type of driving environment, you will need to understand that the other motorists around your car will probably not be as cautious or concerned as you are. This is where your lessons in proactive driving will come in handy. Be aware of your surroundings and plan for the unexpected.
Avoid Rush Hour
During your hands-on instruction at driving school in Orange County you will learn how to drive in rush hour. However, rush hour traffic in your hometown may be different than rush hour in the big city.
If it’s possible, you should avoid driving in metropolitan areas during rush hour. Rush hour traffic is typically at its peak during 7 AM and 9 Am and 4 PM and 6 PM. During this time, you should try to stay off roads unless it is necessary.
Rush hour traffic increases the time it takes to reach your destination, and you will have a higher risk of accidents, frustration, and the potentially strong emotions of city drivers who encounter this type of traffic all the time.
Stay in the Right Lane
By this, we mean the actual right lane and not the left. When you are driving on a busy street or expressway, staying in the right lane will put you in the slower lane with more cautious drivers.
Watch for Pedestrians
Make sure you watch out for crosswalks. Depending on where you are used to driving, you may not have a whole lot of experience with pedestrians on crosswalks. These walkways are much more common in cities. Remember that pedestrians have the right of way on a crosswalk, so always make sure to let them walk before driving. Pedestrians may not always use crosswalks, so you will have to focus on your driving and make sure to be ready for anything.
You may also have to deal with a lot of cyclists since it’s a common method for residents of cities to travel without the need for a car. Cyclists are supposed to obey the same traffic laws as drivers, although you may find that many do not. Keep an eye out for these people and make sure to maintain a safe distance.
Dealing with Taxis
In a big city, you’ll come across lots of taxis. In an effort to respond to someone hailing a taxi, drivers will make sudden swerves to the edges of the roadways. Always make sure to maintain a safe distance from taxis and be careful of passengers entering and exiting taxis that are parked on the side of the road.