In the city there's a thousand things I wanna say to you
Discussion
About the young ideas...
Introduction
This post follows a request made by a PHer who PMed me asking for a post on driving in heavy traffic - specifically on driving a manual car when it's very busy and some advice on approaching and negotiating roundabouts when the traffic is heavy and stop-start.
I've given it some thought and thrown some ideas together and I've ended up with a slightly longer post than I set out to write, covering urban driving in general, whilst including the more specific details contained in the original request, so here goes...
The great leveller
Urban driving - particularly in heavy traffic is the great leveller isn't it? It doesn't matter if you're driving a £300 shed or a £1.2 million LaFerrari, if you're in slow moving urban traffic, you're all in it together and no-one has any advantage. You'll get there when the traffic gets there and there is very little you can do to improve your situation.
Strange then, that urban driving can feel so much more competitive and aggressive than any other kind of driving, when there is so little to gain.
The pushing and shoving and lack of manners can often feel like...
It doesn't need to though. As discussed in other threads, a good driver should be able to reduce the negative emotions associated with driving to a minimum and avoid personalising situations. If you can achieve this rare mental state, as I've previously mentioned, you'll feel much more like Huggy Bear than Starsky. Or Hutch.
What to expect
You'll be cut up, chopped up, undertaken, pulled out on, gestured at, barged, sliced and twirled by cars, cyclists, mopeds, cyclists, taxis, cyclists, buses, cyclists, pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooters and cyclists.
And, of course, there are the cyclists.
It really isn't the type of driving that any of us enjoy or look forward to.
But, it's still driving and it can still be done well or done badly, skilfully or hamfistedly, cooperatively or un cooperatively, assertively or aggressively, cleverly or cocknockerishly. Urban driving requires all the same mental agility, careful planning and accuracy that you would put into a spirited drive on your favourite roads. It just tends to be a bit more "mental" and a bit less "physical".
It's intimate too. You're far more aware that the other vehicles out there contain a living, breathing human than you are on the open road. Look around you and you'll see all of life's rich tapestry around you. All with their own agendas and all making different decisions. The skill is much more about working out other people's intentions and planning yours. Hazards are multiple and constant - your plans are a constantly evolving, flexible and fluid process.
The traffic
Most of our cities weren't designed to handle the volume of traffic on the roads in 2014. In addition, the road network in city centres is knocking on a bit now and needs continuous ongoing maintenance just to keep it in the shoddy, pot-hole ridden state that we've come to know and love. It's not going to get better either. Traffic is going to keep on increasing and the roads are going to get worse.
So, on that cheerful note, let's see how you can make the most of a bad situation and at least try to make a decent hash of driving in city traffic.
Now, those of you familiar with my posts should know that I'm not the preachy type and I don't promote absolutes - driving is a thousand shades of grey with very little black and white. However, I do have one absolute rule if you're driving a manual car in traffic.
Never.
Ever.
Ride the clutch.
When you're stationary, handbrake and neutral pleasethankyouverymuch. It doesn't just wear the clutch material prematurely. The vast majority of dual mass flywheel failures that are well documented across the various forums are primarily caused by excessive heat build-up from riding the clutch.
I'm not a clutch rider and in 27 years of car ownership and probably close to a million miles now I have never had to replace a clutch in any of my cars (and only one was an automatic, before you get clever!). By comparison, Mrs Local was a clutch rider until I met her 10 years ago. In 10 years of motoring until that point, she'd had four cars and each of them had had a clutch replaced during her ownership. One had two. In the last 10 years, since I gently convinced her there was a better way, she's never needed a new clutch.
There is a safety issue too. You're a couple of feet from the car in front. One small slip and you're in their boot. Or they could be a motorcyclist. Or a cyclist if you're very lucky. So that's the first and last rule out of the way - what else?
These days, creeping along in traffic can mostly be done with no throttle. Again, the mechanical benefits are obvious and it doesn't require clutch slippage for more than about 1/2 a second. The less revs when moving away, the less clutch wear.
It's good practice not to stop too close to the car in front. This is an old police driving school tip which helps a police officer get moving in an emergency, but there is some benefit to the civilian driver if, for instance, the car in front breaks down or becomes otherwise immobile. Do you want to be reversing and faffing about in traffic? Or is it better to be able to just drive forward with full lock on?
A reasonable guideline is to stop far enough back so that you can see the bottom of the tyres of the car in front - just where they touch the road. A little bit further back for a larger vehicle or if you're in a car with poor steering lock (I had a go in a V6 Clio a few years ago and although it was fun, it had appalling steering lock!).
Giving yourself that little extra room will also allow you to maintain a better view of the road and traffic ahead. Whilst we're on that subject, you won't be able to achieve decent extended views in the city because of, well, the city, but there are plenty of nice clues to pick up on. Shop windows, for instance, can give a decent reflective view of the traffic ahead, and give you a few extra seconds notice that you're about to move off. If you're behind a bus, you can often pick up reflections of brake lights on the interior ceiling - when you see them go off, first-gear-ready-to-go-please.
I've mentioned this before, but we should all try to keep learning. When sat in traffic the other week behind yet another clown with their sat-nav mounted right in the centre of the windscreen, I suddenly realised I could see their route. It was giving him a right turn a couple of junctions ahead. I moved to the left lane. He turned right just as predicted (and with a predictably late signal) and I wasn't held up.
I now love the drivers who block their view with a sat-nav.
Cyclists
I think I might have briefly mentioned cyclists earlier. Perhaps now is the time for a brief discussion on the subject. Cycling is becoming more and more popular for a variety of different reasons. Some of you reading this will be cyclists. Heck, I've even been a bicyclist myself in the distant past.
The only trouble is, there is no requirement for cyclists to undertake any training whatsoever before heading out on the road. Sure, some of them will hold drivers licences, but can you tell which ones?
On the whole, most cyclists act in a reasonable and safety-conscious way. Unfortunately there is a significant minority who do not. These are the balloons who spoil cycling's image and give the sensible majority a bad name.
As a car driver, my advice to you is probably very predictable. Give them plenty of room, check your blind spots with a shoulder check whenever you set off from stationary and don't get too intent on passing them, because they'll just be straight up your nearside at the next set of red traffic lights. I should also add that there are a number of cyclists who consider red traffic lights to be optional. If you're approaching a green light at a junction or crossing and the way ahead seems perfectly clear, please have a good scan into the other roads for errant bicycles. Even if you're 100% in the right, having an accident with a cyclist is an unpleasant experience to be avoided at all costs. And they're not insured. And it's more inconvenience when you have to take a day off work to attend the inquest.
Pedestrians
Whilst we're on the subject of unpredictable road users, perhaps I should include a few lines on pedestrians.
Of all road users, I think pedestrians worry me the most. There is no less predictable group of people on the roads, and none that are more vulnerable. A pedestrian accident is always a horrible experience for all involved and having witnessed one first hand myself, are another experience to be completely avoided.
Out of the large number of pedestrians you would encounter within a busy city, can you easily pick out and identify which of them is drunk? Or on drugs? Or deaf? Have a look at how many are staring intently at their phones as they negotiate busy traffic on foot. And at how many are wearing earphones.
Rain can be a particular problem when combined with pedestrians. Most would seemingly prefer to risk an impact with a moving vehicle than get slightly wet. Umbrellas also remove most of their field of vision and make them even more likely to leap out in front of you.
I know this all sounds like exaggeration and mostly it is. But if you think along these lines, and keep these considerations to the forefront of your mind, you're far more likely to spot the one deaf, drunk, phone reading, umbrella wielding pedestrian before they get the chance to leap on your bonnet. And remember - it only takes one.
Cooperation
Driving in city traffic requires a degree of cooperation on everyone's part. It may feel like a "not a chance" attitude when it comes to allowing some precedence at junctions is the most advantageous. In my experience though, this isn't the case. I find that a slightly more Christian (or Muslim, or Hindu, or Buddhist, or Scientologist - I'm not picky) approach to urban driving does not affect your progress at all. It also helps to keep your blood pressure down and keeps things much more friendly - you don't have to keep that false "straight ahead" stare either (you know what I'm talking about!). So whenever possible, keep junctions clear and let a few drivers out - I tend to make it clear that I'm just letting the one out so I don't end up frustrating the drivers behind.
If you're waiting at a junction and the traffic is busy, stop with your wheels at the line (I avoid creeping forwards) and try to get eye contact with the drivers on the main road. Winding your window down often helps. Look relaxed and friendly and very soon someone will let you out. Give them a smile and a thumbs up and set off briskly.
This is the social aspect of city driving. The part which involves genuine personal interaction with human beings. Give a little and take a little.
Roundabouts
I'll probably post an item on roundabouts in general in the near future, but the PHer who requested this post specifically asked for advice on busy roundabouts in heavy traffic, so I'll keep this section specific to that request.
Normally I advise drivers to look to the right very early on the approach to a roundabout - planning to stop but looking to go. This isn't my advice when approaching a roundabout in a line of stop-start traffic.
A very common cause of rear-end shunt type accidents at roundabouts is the driver behind thinking that the driver in front is going, looking to the right and thinking that they can also go themselves, and then driving straight into the car in front because that driver has changed his or her mind and stopped.
To avoid this situation, watch the car in front carefully. When they become the front car at the give way line, keep watching them (albeit as part of your regular scanning routine) until they set off. Then keep watching them so that you are sure they are moving off before making your final decision to go. After a final look right, look ahead again before accelerating.
Also, try not to be hesitant when setting off. This will avoid the driver behind making the classic mistake if you change your mind. Be patient at the line if it's busy - when you go it should be a positive move.
Anyway, I think that's more than enough to be getting on with. Please share your thoughts and experiences with urban driving.
Introduction
This post follows a request made by a PHer who PMed me asking for a post on driving in heavy traffic - specifically on driving a manual car when it's very busy and some advice on approaching and negotiating roundabouts when the traffic is heavy and stop-start.
I've given it some thought and thrown some ideas together and I've ended up with a slightly longer post than I set out to write, covering urban driving in general, whilst including the more specific details contained in the original request, so here goes...
The great leveller
Urban driving - particularly in heavy traffic is the great leveller isn't it? It doesn't matter if you're driving a £300 shed or a £1.2 million LaFerrari, if you're in slow moving urban traffic, you're all in it together and no-one has any advantage. You'll get there when the traffic gets there and there is very little you can do to improve your situation.
Strange then, that urban driving can feel so much more competitive and aggressive than any other kind of driving, when there is so little to gain.
The pushing and shoving and lack of manners can often feel like...
It doesn't need to though. As discussed in other threads, a good driver should be able to reduce the negative emotions associated with driving to a minimum and avoid personalising situations. If you can achieve this rare mental state, as I've previously mentioned, you'll feel much more like Huggy Bear than Starsky. Or Hutch.
What to expect
You'll be cut up, chopped up, undertaken, pulled out on, gestured at, barged, sliced and twirled by cars, cyclists, mopeds, cyclists, taxis, cyclists, buses, cyclists, pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooters and cyclists.
And, of course, there are the cyclists.
It really isn't the type of driving that any of us enjoy or look forward to.
But, it's still driving and it can still be done well or done badly, skilfully or hamfistedly, cooperatively or un cooperatively, assertively or aggressively, cleverly or cocknockerishly. Urban driving requires all the same mental agility, careful planning and accuracy that you would put into a spirited drive on your favourite roads. It just tends to be a bit more "mental" and a bit less "physical".
It's intimate too. You're far more aware that the other vehicles out there contain a living, breathing human than you are on the open road. Look around you and you'll see all of life's rich tapestry around you. All with their own agendas and all making different decisions. The skill is much more about working out other people's intentions and planning yours. Hazards are multiple and constant - your plans are a constantly evolving, flexible and fluid process.
The traffic
Most of our cities weren't designed to handle the volume of traffic on the roads in 2014. In addition, the road network in city centres is knocking on a bit now and needs continuous ongoing maintenance just to keep it in the shoddy, pot-hole ridden state that we've come to know and love. It's not going to get better either. Traffic is going to keep on increasing and the roads are going to get worse.
So, on that cheerful note, let's see how you can make the most of a bad situation and at least try to make a decent hash of driving in city traffic.
Now, those of you familiar with my posts should know that I'm not the preachy type and I don't promote absolutes - driving is a thousand shades of grey with very little black and white. However, I do have one absolute rule if you're driving a manual car in traffic.
Never.
Ever.
Ride the clutch.
When you're stationary, handbrake and neutral pleasethankyouverymuch. It doesn't just wear the clutch material prematurely. The vast majority of dual mass flywheel failures that are well documented across the various forums are primarily caused by excessive heat build-up from riding the clutch.
I'm not a clutch rider and in 27 years of car ownership and probably close to a million miles now I have never had to replace a clutch in any of my cars (and only one was an automatic, before you get clever!). By comparison, Mrs Local was a clutch rider until I met her 10 years ago. In 10 years of motoring until that point, she'd had four cars and each of them had had a clutch replaced during her ownership. One had two. In the last 10 years, since I gently convinced her there was a better way, she's never needed a new clutch.
There is a safety issue too. You're a couple of feet from the car in front. One small slip and you're in their boot. Or they could be a motorcyclist. Or a cyclist if you're very lucky. So that's the first and last rule out of the way - what else?
These days, creeping along in traffic can mostly be done with no throttle. Again, the mechanical benefits are obvious and it doesn't require clutch slippage for more than about 1/2 a second. The less revs when moving away, the less clutch wear.
It's good practice not to stop too close to the car in front. This is an old police driving school tip which helps a police officer get moving in an emergency, but there is some benefit to the civilian driver if, for instance, the car in front breaks down or becomes otherwise immobile. Do you want to be reversing and faffing about in traffic? Or is it better to be able to just drive forward with full lock on?
A reasonable guideline is to stop far enough back so that you can see the bottom of the tyres of the car in front - just where they touch the road. A little bit further back for a larger vehicle or if you're in a car with poor steering lock (I had a go in a V6 Clio a few years ago and although it was fun, it had appalling steering lock!).
Giving yourself that little extra room will also allow you to maintain a better view of the road and traffic ahead. Whilst we're on that subject, you won't be able to achieve decent extended views in the city because of, well, the city, but there are plenty of nice clues to pick up on. Shop windows, for instance, can give a decent reflective view of the traffic ahead, and give you a few extra seconds notice that you're about to move off. If you're behind a bus, you can often pick up reflections of brake lights on the interior ceiling - when you see them go off, first-gear-ready-to-go-please.
I've mentioned this before, but we should all try to keep learning. When sat in traffic the other week behind yet another clown with their sat-nav mounted right in the centre of the windscreen, I suddenly realised I could see their route. It was giving him a right turn a couple of junctions ahead. I moved to the left lane. He turned right just as predicted (and with a predictably late signal) and I wasn't held up.
I now love the drivers who block their view with a sat-nav.
Cyclists
I think I might have briefly mentioned cyclists earlier. Perhaps now is the time for a brief discussion on the subject. Cycling is becoming more and more popular for a variety of different reasons. Some of you reading this will be cyclists. Heck, I've even been a bicyclist myself in the distant past.
The only trouble is, there is no requirement for cyclists to undertake any training whatsoever before heading out on the road. Sure, some of them will hold drivers licences, but can you tell which ones?
On the whole, most cyclists act in a reasonable and safety-conscious way. Unfortunately there is a significant minority who do not. These are the balloons who spoil cycling's image and give the sensible majority a bad name.
As a car driver, my advice to you is probably very predictable. Give them plenty of room, check your blind spots with a shoulder check whenever you set off from stationary and don't get too intent on passing them, because they'll just be straight up your nearside at the next set of red traffic lights. I should also add that there are a number of cyclists who consider red traffic lights to be optional. If you're approaching a green light at a junction or crossing and the way ahead seems perfectly clear, please have a good scan into the other roads for errant bicycles. Even if you're 100% in the right, having an accident with a cyclist is an unpleasant experience to be avoided at all costs. And they're not insured. And it's more inconvenience when you have to take a day off work to attend the inquest.
Pedestrians
Whilst we're on the subject of unpredictable road users, perhaps I should include a few lines on pedestrians.
Of all road users, I think pedestrians worry me the most. There is no less predictable group of people on the roads, and none that are more vulnerable. A pedestrian accident is always a horrible experience for all involved and having witnessed one first hand myself, are another experience to be completely avoided.
Out of the large number of pedestrians you would encounter within a busy city, can you easily pick out and identify which of them is drunk? Or on drugs? Or deaf? Have a look at how many are staring intently at their phones as they negotiate busy traffic on foot. And at how many are wearing earphones.
Rain can be a particular problem when combined with pedestrians. Most would seemingly prefer to risk an impact with a moving vehicle than get slightly wet. Umbrellas also remove most of their field of vision and make them even more likely to leap out in front of you.
I know this all sounds like exaggeration and mostly it is. But if you think along these lines, and keep these considerations to the forefront of your mind, you're far more likely to spot the one deaf, drunk, phone reading, umbrella wielding pedestrian before they get the chance to leap on your bonnet. And remember - it only takes one.
Cooperation
Driving in city traffic requires a degree of cooperation on everyone's part. It may feel like a "not a chance" attitude when it comes to allowing some precedence at junctions is the most advantageous. In my experience though, this isn't the case. I find that a slightly more Christian (or Muslim, or Hindu, or Buddhist, or Scientologist - I'm not picky) approach to urban driving does not affect your progress at all. It also helps to keep your blood pressure down and keeps things much more friendly - you don't have to keep that false "straight ahead" stare either (you know what I'm talking about!). So whenever possible, keep junctions clear and let a few drivers out - I tend to make it clear that I'm just letting the one out so I don't end up frustrating the drivers behind.
If you're waiting at a junction and the traffic is busy, stop with your wheels at the line (I avoid creeping forwards) and try to get eye contact with the drivers on the main road. Winding your window down often helps. Look relaxed and friendly and very soon someone will let you out. Give them a smile and a thumbs up and set off briskly.
This is the social aspect of city driving. The part which involves genuine personal interaction with human beings. Give a little and take a little.
Roundabouts
I'll probably post an item on roundabouts in general in the near future, but the PHer who requested this post specifically asked for advice on busy roundabouts in heavy traffic, so I'll keep this section specific to that request.
Normally I advise drivers to look to the right very early on the approach to a roundabout - planning to stop but looking to go. This isn't my advice when approaching a roundabout in a line of stop-start traffic.
A very common cause of rear-end shunt type accidents at roundabouts is the driver behind thinking that the driver in front is going, looking to the right and thinking that they can also go themselves, and then driving straight into the car in front because that driver has changed his or her mind and stopped.
To avoid this situation, watch the car in front carefully. When they become the front car at the give way line, keep watching them (albeit as part of your regular scanning routine) until they set off. Then keep watching them so that you are sure they are moving off before making your final decision to go. After a final look right, look ahead again before accelerating.
Also, try not to be hesitant when setting off. This will avoid the driver behind making the classic mistake if you change your mind. Be patient at the line if it's busy - when you go it should be a positive move.
Anyway, I think that's more than enough to be getting on with. Please share your thoughts and experiences with urban driving.
Jakdaw said:
I refer of course to drivers beckoning pedestrians to cross the road, or similarly flashing vehicles/cyclists coming the other way to turn right, despite there being other lanes that they've not checked which might contain dangers. Especially prevalent for some reason when you have bus lanes (it's one of the few times I really feel for bus drivers!).
So one other piece of advice that was missing: never trust anyone else's judgement above your own, they're probably an idiot.
This is a good point and one I missed in the original post. When affording a courtesy to another driver or otherwise allowing someone else precedence, I never signal, wave, flash, toot, or give any other indication that the other road user is free to go. I will leave the gap for them, and try to make it obvious from my positioning that I'm allowing them through, but the decision to go should always be theirs. This was a point I used to teach to police officers. There are a number of incidents on record where a police officer has afforded a courtesy and waved another driver out of a junction, only for them to assume they can then emerge without any further checks and immediately have an accident. Some drivers have, in the past, successfully argued that they were following a police officers directions at the time of the accident, and so the police officer must be to blame for their own myopic stupidity.So one other piece of advice that was missing: never trust anyone else's judgement above your own, they're probably an idiot.
This situation is easily avoided by just leaving the gap and allowing the other road user to make their own decision.
Jakdaw said:
Another piece of advice is to be aware of the phenomenon of "VIP Lanes" only open to those motorists who bother to read the blue signs adjacent to bus lanes that aren't in operation 24/7 - they easily save me 5 minutes each day! Perhaps it's better that one isn't spread...
Shhh! Some things we keep to ourselves!Blakewater said:
What would your approach be to junctions with very limited visibility?
This junction here is one I have to negotiate on a daily basis heading in the direction shown in the Streetview image. I had an accident here a few years ago shortly after the road going over the bridge had been reopened after being closed for weeks while the bridge was replaced. As I was crossing the junction, a chap coming from the left went into the front nearside corner of my car at full pelt, not realising there was traffic crossing the junction again. I appreciate I could have maybe been more cautious crossing the junction and I've always slowed right down and looked carefully on approaching it since.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Canterbury+St/@5...
If there's someone at the junction and I can make eye contact with them and be reasonably confident they're waiting, that's fine. It's most scary when I can't see anyone. As you can see, the building on the left comes up almost right to the edge of the road and restricts visibility around the corner and down the road approaching from the left. It blocks the view of the traffic coming from that direction and, in turn, blocks the view of those drivers of you approaching from their right hand side. I can't help worrying that, however carefully I look on approach to the junction, if someone is coming along at full speed I can't avoid a collision. It feels a bit like dodging across a firing range and hoping for the best. Other than a slow approach keeping out to the right, a good look as far as I can see and not hanging about as I cross the junction, I'm not sure what more I can do to keep myself safe.
Only today I spoke to a chap who was standing there forlornly by his smashed up white Honda CRZ who'd been trying to pull out of the left hand road and had someone go into the side of his car.
Blackburn?This junction here is one I have to negotiate on a daily basis heading in the direction shown in the Streetview image. I had an accident here a few years ago shortly after the road going over the bridge had been reopened after being closed for weeks while the bridge was replaced. As I was crossing the junction, a chap coming from the left went into the front nearside corner of my car at full pelt, not realising there was traffic crossing the junction again. I appreciate I could have maybe been more cautious crossing the junction and I've always slowed right down and looked carefully on approaching it since.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Canterbury+St/@5...
If there's someone at the junction and I can make eye contact with them and be reasonably confident they're waiting, that's fine. It's most scary when I can't see anyone. As you can see, the building on the left comes up almost right to the edge of the road and restricts visibility around the corner and down the road approaching from the left. It blocks the view of the traffic coming from that direction and, in turn, blocks the view of those drivers of you approaching from their right hand side. I can't help worrying that, however carefully I look on approach to the junction, if someone is coming along at full speed I can't avoid a collision. It feels a bit like dodging across a firing range and hoping for the best. Other than a slow approach keeping out to the right, a good look as far as I can see and not hanging about as I cross the junction, I'm not sure what more I can do to keep myself safe.
Only today I spoke to a chap who was standing there forlornly by his smashed up white Honda CRZ who'd been trying to pull out of the left hand road and had someone go into the side of his car.
I know this junction very well. To be honest, I've always been of the opinion that the straight-on part of that junction should be marked with a stop line and signage rather than give way.
The benefit of the lane designations when approaching the junction is that the left lane is marked for left turns only and the right lane is for straight on only. Approaching in the right lane gives a better view into the junction and makes you more visible to the vehicles approaching the give way line.
This advantage can be increased by moving further offside, but you should also time your approach so you're not masked by any vehicles in the left turn lane. Almost in the same way as you would avoid being in someone's blind spot, use acceleration sense to time your approach to the junction so you can maintain your view of it rather than remaining "hidden" behind vehicles in the left turn lane.
And don't be shy of using a horn warning on your approach. The horn is the most misunderstood and badly-used signal, but a horn warning on approach to a junction with a limited view is perfectly acceptable. You may get a one-finger salute, but I prefer that to an accident.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff