For even the most experienced motorists, driving in a city of Australia often strikes fear into their mind. There’s so many distractions and then you have to contend with other cars, buses and pedestrians.
Some people even make it a point of avoiding the drive into the city by taking alternate routes. Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can ensure your trip to and from the city is a safe one.
Take It Slow.
When driving in the city, there really is no rush. It’s always better to slow down and take your foot off the pedal. If you rear end another motorist or a pedestrian walks into on-coming traffic, a small difference in the speed you’re traveling at can have a tremendous effect on the outcome of an accident. It might mean the difference between a small bump or a huge repair bill.
Always Be Aware.
In some cities like Melbourne, there is more than just cars and pedestrians to look out for. You also have to keep in mind the many trams that share our roads. Trams are often stopping to pick up and let off other passengers. You should always be on the look out for pedestrians whenever in the vicinity of a tram as you cannot rely on people to look out for your car.
Melbourne is notorious for accidents like this which can simply be avoided if people keep a keen eye on the road and surroundings.
Hook Turns.
Melbourne is unique in that in some areas of the city, you are required to perform a hook turn to change streets. A hook turn is a maneuver in which you turn right from the left lane. This ensures the smooth flow of traffic in built up areas such as the city. A hook turn is very simple to perform and is not something you should be fearful of. You can ask your driving instructor to teach you the specifics of this turn.
Always Be On The Look Out.
Pedestrians are notorious for not looking where they’re going and this puts you at risk of running them over in an accident. Because it’s the city, the density of pedestrians is much higher than regional areas of Australia. It’s important you avoid all distractions such as mobile phones and loud music while driving in the city regions.
By remaining focused you can ensure the safety of yourself, your passengers and other people using the roads whether by car, bus, tram or on foot.
Be sure to check out our listing of driving schools in Melbourne who can teach you how to drive in such areas in addition to many other important lessons learner drivers must undertake.