Nationwide Vehicle Contracts gives expert advice on how to deal with the pressures of driving your car in a city.
Driving in a city can be a stressful experience. Traffic is more congested, it can be easy to get lost, and there are significantly more hazards, including pedestrians and cyclists.
To make matters worse, cities also have harsher restrictions when it comes to driving, with congestion charges, bus lanes, and parking restrictions causing hefty fines for city motorists.
So, what can we do to keep driving in cities as stress-free as possible? From planning your journey to leaving enough time, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts advises on how to deal with the pressures of driving in a city.
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY
We know it's obvious, but practice makes perfect, or preparation reduces stress! The first thing you should do before you even get in the car is thoroughly plan your journey.
Listen to the radio or check online for any congestion that might be on your path, and have a look if there are any roadworks that you might come into contact with. You should be able to check this on your local government website.
Also, find out about any congestion charges or clean air zones. There's nothing worse than having a good journey and then seeing a zine and realised you haven't paid.
PLAN WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO PARK
Picture this, you've made it to the city centre stress-free, but you can't find anywhere to park. Impending heart race increase!
To prevent this, have a look online for somewhere to park before you set off. If you can't find anywhere, ask a friend who regularly visits the city for their pro tips.
USE YOUR MIRRORS
When driving in a city, there's a greater hazard from pedestrians and cyclists, so it's essential that you use your mirrors at all times to keep a look out.
Even when you're stationary, look in your mirrors before you get out to prevent the door from swinging open and hitting a cyclist and the impending anger you'd be on the receiving end of.
SLOW DOWN THROUGH NARROW STREETS
Older cities weren't designed for modern motoring, so many streets are painfully narrow. This leads to a lot of accidents with drivers who don't know the proper width of their cars.
To prevent this, obviously know the width of your car, but also slow down on narrow streets so you can properly judge what's ahead of you on the road.
AVOID RUSH HOUR
Unless you feed on stress, you'll want to avoid driving in cities during rush hour. If driving to work, try and set off earlier to avoid the traffic. Although you might have to wake up earlier, it will be worth it in the long run and help reduce stress.
After all, think of all the extra work you'll get done!
DON'T GET ANGERED BY IMPATIENT DRIVERS
One of the standout things about driving in a city is the number of times drivers use their horns. I'm guessing they call New York 'the city that never sleeps' because nobody can physically sleep because of car horn noise.
It can be stressful dealing with impatient drivers, but try your best to stay composed. The more angry you get, the more likely you are to make a mistake which nobody wants. Listen to some relaxing music or a podcast that will calm you down.
What's your experience been when driving in a city? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produce various blogs giving driving advice, including Driving in Spain: What you need to know and the Best Cars For A Tight Driveway.
