Driving in traffic can be a challenge if you are taking Sydney driving lessons. It can be frustrating to drive in heavy traffic. Other drivers might become impatient if they are stuck in a jam. Knowing how to handle driving on busy roads is important.
Clutch Control
You will need to be able to control your clutch well when you are driving in heavy traffic. You will have to stop and start a lot, so it is important to be able to find the right point.
Modern vehicles often have stop-start technology. This means that your engine will not start if you are at a standstill. It will only start again when you release the clutch to indicate you are about to move again. This feature may also be available on the car of your driving instructor. It is an economical way to save fuel.
Be A Defensive Driver
All learner drivers need to be able to do defensive driving. This skill is especially important when driving in heavy traffic. You must be prepared for anything and expect the unexpected.
People can become impatient and erratic in heavy traffic. It is possible that motorists will try to squeeze into tighter spaces or that motorcyclists and cyclists weave through traffic jams to get around. Also, pedestrians who cross between stationary vehicles should be considered. When driving in slow-moving traffic, make sure you use your mirrors frequently and be aware of all that is happening around you.
Find A Gap
Many learner drivers are surprised to be caught out on this issue during their driving test. While it is important not to pull into too-small spaces, it is equally important to avoid lingering at junctions or turnings for too long. Driving tests will assess your ability to keep up with traffic flow.
Look out for safe spaces in traffic when you are waiting at a turning or junction. If traffic is slow, drivers might signal that you can pull out. You should never assume that it is safe to pull off because another motorist has signaled you to. Before you pull out of a junction or sideroad, make sure to check your own safety.
Make Sure You Have Plenty Of Space
You need to leave enough space between yourself and the vehicle in front when you are driving in stop-and-go traffic. You might notice that traffic speeds are unpredictable and you suddenly slow down.
It can be dangerous to travel too close to the vehicle in front. They might not have enough time to stop suddenly. In normal weather, it’s recommended to leave a minimum of 2 seconds between yourself and the vehicle in front. This is even more important in wet conditions. You can use landmarks such as a road sign, parked car, or a car to calculate the distance. Then count the time until the car in front passes the landmark. The landmark should be passed in 2 seconds. You should pass the landmark in 2 seconds or less. If not, you can drop back to increase the gap.
This will allow you to maintain enough distance between yourself and the car ahead. You can increase your speed to make the car in front more distant and force it to slow down if you feel that they are traveling too fast.
Be Clear
It’s crucial to ensure you don’t block any pedestrian crossings, junctions, or turnings if you are stuck in traffic. Keep an eye out for yellow hatched markings and ‘keep clear’ signs on the ground and don’t stop there.
