City driving is stressful not only to those who aren’t used to traffic jams, congestion, and four to six-lane roads. And while there are many busy cities in the UK, driving through London undoubtedly takes the cake as a true test of your spatial awareness and prowess behind the wheel. In fact, in 2019 alone, over 22.6 billion vehicle miles of city traffic made its way across the 9.2 thousand miles of roads in the English capital.
With so many cars, motorcycles, and buses on the road, not to mention the human-powered means of transportation and the pedestrians themselves, it is easy to see why driving in the city is such a physically and mentally taxing experience for drivers throughout the UK. Fortunately, there are city driving tips you can start using today to ready yourself for the challenges of British roads. Because victory loves preparation.
Before you go: urban driving strategies
Plan your route
Unless you are very familiar with an area, it always pays to plan your route in advance. This will help you move through the city without unnecessary wrong turns and delays. It will also help you manage anxiety and mitigate the confusion caused by an unexpected one way street. Make sure you have a backup route in case of road works or other problems.
Be aware of high traffic times and areas
Expect the best, prepare for the worst; anticipate heavy traffic, especially if you are travelling in peak hours. Naturally, there is little you can do to avoid it altogether, especially when driving in London, but allowing extra time for traffic jams will help you manage stress. A bonus tip is to dust-off your clutch control skills; this will keep you moving smoothly and decrease fuel consumption. Also, get to know your handbrake well – it can be an invaluable asset in slow-moving traffic.
Plan for congestion charges
Congestion charges are not overly common in the UK, but if you happen to be travelling through London, get your wallet ready. The city centre is subject to a congestion charge of £15 (unless you qualify for the low emissions discount – this is where electric vehicles come in clutch) on all days except Christmas, between 7am and 10pm. You can pay this charge in advance online.
You should also make sure you have money for parking fees if you are heading to a commercial destination. Your parallel parking skills will come in handy if you intend to make the most of the limited space available.
As you go: safe urban driving
Watch out for bus and cycle lanes
Cycle lanes may be common in most towns and cities, but smaller built-up areas often lack dedicated bus lanes. If you are not used to driving in an overcrowded city centre, be vigilant and make sure you don’t end up in the bus lane. This can come with a hefty fine, depending on where you are.
Respect the speed limit
Everyone is in a rush; London in particular is notorious for its fast pace. However, especially if you are a new kid on the block, it is important that you do not succumb to pressure from other drivers. Instead, stick to the speed limit and watch out for road hazards. Move at your own pace and drive safely; take confident and decisive actions to not halt the traffic. This knowledge may seem trivial, but so many drivers tend to forget the basics in the heat of the moment.
Make your intentions clear
Signal turns and lane changes in advance. This is good practice in general, but you should always indicate a little earlier in busy environments where drivers around you may be distracted. Leave plenty of space between yourself and the car in front, and move decisively once you are sure it is safe. This is very important at large junctions; keep in mind that roundabout rules may differ depending on the layout of the junction.
Keep your wits about you
Never underestimate the people factor – pedestrians are one of the most unpredictable hazards in big cities, and that includes off peak hours. Just because the traffic is nose-to-tail and crawling at 10 mph doesn’t mean you won’t see a pedestrian make a break for it. And don’t expect them to stick to the boundaries of the crosswalk, either!
Leave your ego at the door
While you may often see agitated locals overtaking other cars, in most cases it is simply not worth the risk to move into oncoming traffic lanes in an uncertain environment. If a car in front of you is moving frustratingly slow, remember that this may be due to the cars in front, or the rules and regulation on the given fragment of the road. Likewise, do not fall into the trap of assuming that every action of your fellow drivers is correct.
If you do find yourself way off-track, or you notice that you are in the wrong lane, it can be safer and quicker to keep going and circle back as opposed to stopping or trying to pull off a three point turn. While some big cities have one way systems throughout their centre, most will have alternatives for you to choose from. When you feel completely lost or overwhelmed, keep the city’s red routes in mind and find a safe place to stop, unwind and re-find your bearings, and start again.