There are few pleasures in life quite as relaxing as getting behind the wheel and hitting the road, leaving behind all the worries and concerns of daily life, just embracing the literal manifestation of the concept of moving forward. Unfortunately, driving in a city is a little less Bridges of Madison County and a bit more Fight Club. Which also has its charm, but it does require a totally different skill set. So how should you face the urban jungle in such a way that both your sanity and the car’s paintwork remain intact? Here are a few tips.
1. Choose the right car for the job. This is a good tip for any situation really: always hire the smallest car possible. Smaller cars are usually cheaper to hire, they consume less fuel, and there’s nothing worse than trying to park a big car in a city. Always remember: parking in cities is at a premium, and everyone - EVERYONE - is looking for a spot. Small cars win at the game of physics, and you’ll notice that your luck in finding a parking spot is inversely proportional to the size of the vehicle.
2. Safety first. Far from us to be suspicious of our fellow human beings, but popular wisdom informs us that opportunity makes a thief - and who are we to defy popular wisdom? Driving in cities means you’ll actually be stopped a fair amount of time: stopped in traffic jams, stopped in traffic lights, stopped because you’re lost and need to ask for directions from a straight-faced yet helpful local. Always remember to keep your doors locked from the inside. If you’re driving in a hot location - Spain in the summer comes to mind - consider getting a car with air conditioning. This way you can drive with your windows rolled up, which is a plus not only from a safety point of view, but it will also help you avoid the worst of city pollution.
3. Stick to the lane you’re in. It’s the murphy’s law of driving that the lane you’re in always seems to be the slowest. Embrace that fact, sure in the knowledge that the minute you change lanes, the one you were in will start to move, and the one you switched to will come to a screeching halt. Changing lanes will seldom if ever actually improve your travelling time, and it will increase the risk of a collision. So stay put. Slow and steady wins the race.
4. GPS is your friend. Oftentimes, the thing people find most frustrating about city driving is not knowing where they’re going. Well, that’s a thing of the past. Embrace the 21st century and the digital age, and get yourself a GPS. If you’re driving a rental, car hire companies will often provide you with one upon request, in exchange for a fee. You may even be lucky and come across a promotion for free GPS (always look for promotions; they’ll help you get the most value for money).
5. Choose your timing. Driving in urban centers can sometimes be challenging, but there’s no need to make it more difficult than it needs to be. Avoid rush hour as best as you can. If you absolutely must drive during rush hour, then use whatever means you can (radio, the Internet, a friendly and helpful local) to avoid the worst arteries and drive around the the traffic.