Auto accidents happen more often than you might think, with recent statistics showing that literally millions of crashes and collisions happen in the US every single year. These kinds of incidents aren’t just limited to drunk drivers and negligent or reckless road users either; they can happen to absolutely anyone, even the safest and smartest drivers out there.
What’s more, if you happen to live in a big city, you could be at an even higher risk. Many people, especially those with big business aspirations and career prospects, choose to live in big cities and can enjoy a lot of benefits from doing so, but when it comes to driving around in crowded urban environments, reports show that you may be more likely to get hurt.
Roads in big cities can be cramped, confusing, and even overwhelming at times, with even the most confident and experienced of drivers sometimes being bamboozled by all of the many road signs, markings, lights, and intersections in urban environments, coupled with the vast numbers of other cars and pedestrians trying to get across the street almost all the time.
This is all very different from driving along quiet country streets or navigating empty rural roads, and there’s a lot more for city drivers to worry about, so your reactions have to be particularly sharp and your attention levels need to be especially high too. This guide will go over some top tips to help you become a safer driver in big city places.
Table of Contents
Avoid Road Rage
Road rage is a big problem all across America, but it’s an absolute crisis in some of the country’s biggest cities. Reports show that places like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit, and Austin all rank in the top ten cities that experience the most road rage incidents, and many other cities are being affected by this troubling phenomenon.
It’s easy to understand why city drivers can get so angry with one another, as they’re often rushing around from place to place and can easily lose their temper if another driver shows disrespect or fails to follow the rules. However, giving in to road rage massively increases your risks of accidents, so it’s important to remain calm and collected instead of letting the red mist descend.
Pay Attention to Signs and Markings
A big factor that can cause city drivers to sometimes feel confused or overwhelmed is the presence of so many different road signs and markings up and down every street, and if you happen to miss just one of those signs, you might be taken by surprise when a pedestrian steps out in front of you or an intersection appears around the next corner.
It can be a challenge to keep your eyes on the road ahead while also looking out for all those different signs, but it’s important for all drivers to do their best in this regard. Signs help you navigate the road, alerting you to upcoming hazards, informing you of the correct speed limits, and giving you valuable information to stay safe.
Control Your Speed
Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations in big cities, as well as in rural areas, and it’s one that can cause a lot of accidents. Speed limits are there for a reason; they help to keep people safe, and those who choose to go faster than these limits are putting not just themselves at risk, but everyone else around them too.
The faster you go, the harder it will be to come to a stop if you need to brake suddenly due to a changing traffic light, unexpected stop sign, or pedestrian stepping out in front of you. This is especially important in big cities, as there are simply so many different hazards out there that you need to watch out for, so try to take it slow, even if you’re running late.
Always Use Signals and Mirrors
Another top tip that applies to every driver, no matter whether they’re in the city or out in the country, is to make regular and consistent use of your turn signals and mirrors. These are some of the simplest components of your car, but they play a major role when it comes to keeping everyone safe and sound.
In big cities, in particular, you can often find yourself surrounded by cars and people on all sides, with drivers trying to pass you, people stopping or turning suddenly without much warning, and pedestrians trying to rush across the street and get wherever they need to be. Signals and mirrors will help to prevent accidents by letting others know what you’re doing and letting you see all around your vehicle.
Watch Out for Pedestrians
One of the big differences between city driving and rural driving is the presence of pedestrians. On rural roads, you’ll barely see anyone walking along, and you won’t need to worry too much about the risks of someone stepping out into the street without being seen, but in cities, pedestrians are all around you, at all times.
Since city streets often have lots of parked cars on either side, it can be hard to spot pedestrians as they step out from behind one of those vehicles, and this is how a lot of accidents happen. You can’t always predict the actions of other people, but by controlling your speed and keeping an eye on the sidewalks, you should be able to avoid any collisions.
Final Word
These are just some of the many important pieces of advice that big-city drivers need to know in order to stay safe. We could also mention the importance of avoiding distractions like your phone or in-car entertainment system and trying to avoid driving during rush hour in order to reduce your risks of collisions and road rage accidents too. In short, there are a lot of ways you can be a safer city driver, and it’s up to you to make the right decisions to set a good example for everyone else.
About Carson Derrow
