Tips For Driving in Heavy Traffic

When you are first learning to drive, one of the most intimidating situations that you will face is driving in heavy traffic. The constant stopping and starting will prevent you from driving as freely as you would like, plus many people do not like to be surrounded by large amounts of cars when they are learning, as en error has a higher possibility of resulting in an accident.

With your driving instructor by your side, this should not be an issue. However, there are a number of tips that are worth following when you do find yourself in heavy traffic.

Be Patient

Don’t allow yourself to be stressed out by the fact that you are not making much progress. Remember what you have been taught during the course of your lessons in regards to keeping proper distance from the cars in front of you, as this will afford you a higher level of visibility in addition to keeping both you and other drivers safe. Furthermore, while this can be a frustrating situation, you can also use driving in heavy traffic as a means to practice your clutch control.

Be Aware of Sudden Stops

While you should do everything you can to drive based on how you have been taught, be aware that such situations can also cause frustration in more experienced drivers as well. This means you need to be aware of how people around you are driving and that you should be prepared for them to make mistakes of their own. Furthermore, if you are driving through a shopping area, you should also keep an eye out for empty parking spaces, as the vehicles in front of you are liable to stop suddenly in order to get into them.

Keep An Eye On Pedestrians

When confronted with a road full of cars that are not moving, pedestrians are often more likely to cross at inopportune moments. Ensure that you keep looking around and that you are aware of anybody who is near your car. There is always a possibility that they will choose to step out onto the road because you are not currently in motion, crossing between the stopped cars instead of at proper crossing points. Be aware of this issue and make sure you check your surroundings before moving forward.

Be Aware of Cyclists

Much like pedestrians, it is also worth noting that cyclists will often take advantage of their ability to weave in and out of heavy traffic in order to get to their destination quicker. While this behaviour is not advisable, it is something that you may encounter. As usual, make sure you check all of your mirrors before moving forward, so that you don’t hit any cyclists who have gotten a bit careless.

Keep Your Calm

When the frustration factor is running high, there is a possibility that you will encounter abusive motorists. Try to ignore them and don’t let them shake your resolve. Remember that everybody had to learn at some point, so even if you do make a minor mistake, don’t allow other road users to have an effect on you in terms of intimidation.