Is anyone else scared to drive in Denver traffic? (rental car, rental)

[Sally123]

I know I am a chicken, but sometimes I end up driving around Denver metro and it scares me to death! What are some tips for dealing with this? Thank you.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Where are you from? I've driven in Denver traffic quite a bit on two trips there and it was a walk in the park compared to SoCal.

[yukon]

I can relate - very few cities scare me, but Miami did. I finally resolved it by being prepared with good directions before I left the house, including asking about weird things like did I have any left hand exits (so I could change lanes early), etc. Definitely helped. I'm actually looking forward to driving around Denver later this week

[GreasedLightning]

Good lord, yes. We just came up to visit from Amarillo where if you switch lanes it's because you saw a pothole in the road ahead.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by yukon

I can relate - very few cities scare me, but Miami did. I finally resolved it by being prepared with good directions before I left the house, including asking about weird things like did I have any left hand exits (so I could change lanes early), etc. Definitely helped. I'm actually looking forward to driving around Denver later this week

Go to Walmart and get a paper street altas of Denver for about $35. Buy (or rent from the rental car company) a portable GPS unit (Tom Tom, Garmin, etc). They both have their strengths and weaknesses and having both make navigating an unfamiliar city 100x easier.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by Sally123

I know I am a chicken, but sometimes I end up driving around Denver metro and it scares me to death! What are some tips for dealing with this? Thank you.

Yes, I know how you feel, as I got older, I have grown into a big, fat, old Chicken or shall I say Rooster.

Do what I do--drive less. In the last year, I used my car about 2300 miles and only once on the highway. Years ago, I would use that in a month. How you ask?

Using the great transportation system. See the thread, I started to get ideas. Car Free living in Denver

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Sally123

I know I am a chicken, but sometimes I end up driving around Denver metro and it scares me to death! What are some tips for dealing with this? Thank you.

Have a few cocktails before you drive? (Just kidding)

Time your drives to avoid rush hour.
Test drive the routes before you have to drive them during more challenging times.
Do a few practice entries and exits from a slower freeway on/off ramps. Also, practice transitioning from one freeway to another during off peak times.
Do these things before more challenging winter weather makes driving riskier.

If it is possible that your fears are irrational or way out of norm, maybe you do have an anxiety issue - people do have them. Talk to a doctor.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Some good tips posted here. Just a few more thoughts:

1. Know in advance where you are going so that you don't have to change lanes at the very last second.

2. When you do change lanes, use your turn signal. I've found that 90% of the time, people will let me in when I signal far enough in advance. Even on the busy highways during rush hour.

3. Don't get in the "fast" lane and drive 10 miles below the speed limit! Anytime there is a big back-up of traffic behind you, and people are having to pass on the right, change lanes! Even if I am going 10 miles over the speed limit, if someone comes up fast behind me, I move over.

Hey, these all sound like defensive driving tips we all supposedly learned many years ago. If everyone used them, the roads would be a lot safer.

[.gif]

force yourself to drive it frequently and eventually the anxiety will go away. it's just like any phobia... repeated exposure helps it go away.

[McGowdog]

Try driving in Bordertown Mexico for a month or two. They can take a 2-lane road and turn it into 5. Drive around any good sized Eastern city, specifically Manhatten. You miss a turn there or get on the wrong bridge/tunnel, it's bye-bye two hours. Driving around SoCal; but they're pretty good drivers considering the volume and their slightly more complicated roadways.

Or, move far away from the Front Range.

Good luck with that.