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Being in my early 20's, I've been sleeping on getting my driver's license. Having readily available public transportation hasn't motivated me to do so, but its time I stop leaning on that excuse.
What concerns me is the aggressive driving and bicycling accidents/fatalities that I've read so much about on the news. Driving tests can teach me how to operate a car, but I feel that they can't teach me the subtleties of NYC driving culture, whatever they may be. So, to those who are familiar with driving in the city, any suggestions for this future rookie driver?
*watch out for salmon (cyclists riding in the opposite direction). This type of specie is a public danger, so beware.
*be mindful of pedestrians. A lot of them jaywalk, cross when the light is red, and go around texting/talking without a care in the world. This is especially frequent in manhattan.
*dont excessively pay what I like to call the 'stupid tax' (this is a type of avoidable taxation). This means be mindul of street cleaning times signs, red light cameras, and now the bus cameras (i recently learned of them the hard way).
We all pay some of these ones from time to time but if youre diligent enough, you will pay less.
*dont drink and drive. This is one is obvious, but guess what? People still do it.
Thats all i can think of at the moment.
Last edited by likeminas; 08-15-2012 at 04:58 PM..
If you are pulling up to an intersection where you have a green light, but you can see there's no room for your car on the other side due to traffic, don't go, even though the drivers behind you will be honking at you to go. You could get stuck in the intersection when the light turns the other way. Not only is this dangerous but you can also get a ticket for blocking the box.
In Manhattan, I used to get frustrated mostly by the yellow cabs, who all seem to be operated by kamikazes. I would try to not let them cut me off. This is simply an exercise in futility. I was taught by someone who just said to drive more slowly and just let them cut me off (swerve in front of me the second they see an opportunity) because they are going to do so anyway and why stress yourself.
This was the most useful advice I got for driving in Manhattan.
If you are going to be parking on the street, learn parallel parking very well, because you will most likely have to do it with traffic coming and in small spaces. After you park, remember to pull your mirrors in. If you are parking at a muni meter, make sure you have the receipt facing up the correct way. If you have the side with the printed time facing down, you will get a ticket even if you paid.
I personally avoid driving in Manhattan at all costs because I really have a hard time dealing with all the challenges and obstacles. Some other people I know are not bothered in the least, though. Driving in the other boroughs is easier but certainly not a breeze.
Driving in Manhattan is the extreme case of excessive traffic, limited parking, and many, many rules.
Driving in the outer boroughs isn't nearly as bad, but you'll need to be attentive. Traffic is more dependent on the time of the day; and quite honestly, the boroughs are very good driving practice because you'll find just about every type of road, intersection, traffic signal, and signage in them.
Edit: If you see a bus signaling, just let it come out. Also, watch for the idiots that open their car doors without looking. The latter is more of a problem in the outer boroughs where you'll see more people parking on main roads.
Avoid the Cross Bronx, BQE, and Belt Parkway when possible!!! Always assume that yellow cabs and dollar vans will cut across 3 lanes of traffic to catch a fare!
If you are going to be parking on the street, learn parallel parking very well, because you will most likely have to do it with traffic coming and in small spaces. After you park, remember to pull your mirrors in. If you are parking at a muni meter, make sure you have the receipt facing up the correct way. If you have the side with the printed time facing down, you will get a ticket even if you paid.
If you are parking on the street, beware that it is often quite difficult to find a parking spot. So leave yourself plenty of time to do so.
*watch out for salmon (cyclists riding in the opposite direction). This type of specie is a public danger, so beware.
*be mindful of pedestrians. A lot of them jaywalk, cross when the light is red, and go around texting/talking without a care in the world. This is especially frequent in manhattan.
*dont excessively pay what I like to call the 'stupid tax' (this is a type of avoidable taxation). This means be mindul of street cleaning times signs, red light cameras, and now the bus cameras (i recently learned of them the hard way).
We all pay some of these ones from time to time but if youre diligent enough, you will pay less.
*dont drink and drive. This is one is obvious, but guess what? People still do it.
Thats all i can think of at the moment.
No right turns on RED in NYC except where posted sign allows it. (Exact opposite of the rest of the country)
beware when you street park... you car will get dinged left, right, front, back, etc and etc...
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