What's it like driving in NYC?

Question

A few friends and I are taking a road trip up in that direction. The person whose car we are taking gets nervous driving in Nashville which is nothing when compared to NYC. And, well, I'm not the most confident driver either...so, what's it like driving in NYC? Any tips? Thanks!

Answer 1

1. Know how to use your mirrors, and constantly check them for vehicles and bicyclists so should you need to make a sudden maneuver you'll already have an idea what's going on around you. Also check your mirror for bicycles before making a turn.

2. When in the far right or left (one way street) lanes, watch at least a block ahead for double parked vehicles.

3. When making a turn, be sure you are in the closest free lane to the left or right (depending on left or right turn from a one way) otherwise someone will try to pass you to the left or right and an accident will result.

4. Do not tailgate, but don't fall back too far behind. The lights are synchronized on Manhattan Aves and going too slow will frustrate drivers behind you. However, traffic may stop short so be sure to leave room.

5. Cabs with their medallion (license) number illuminated on the roof means they are cruising for a fare. They will drive slower, to the left or right of the road, and may stop suddenly at any time. Cabs with the medallion number dark have a passenger and are racing to turn over fares as fast as possible.

6. When making a left turn on a two way road, watch out for oncoming traffic AND pedestrians crossing where you're about to turn.

7. When making a turn and hordes of pedestrians are crossing, pull into the intersection and begin the turn. When there is an opening, go. At worst wait for the light to change then go after it turns red (only legal if you pulled into the intersection).

9. NO turns on red! Unless there is a sign saying that you may. The sign reads something like "Right (or Left) turn on red permitted after Stop". If you're sitting at a red light with you're turn signal on, and you're getting horns blown at you, check for one of these signs.

10. No Standing basically means no stopping. No Parking means it's ok to park there briefly while loading packages or picking up/dropping someone off. 1 Hour Parking Except Sunday means the meters run up to an hour (10 minutes per quarter in Midtown and Downtown, 1/2 hour elsewhere), and you can park All Day for free on Sunday. Most areas in Midtown that are No Standing during the day become free parking for your car after 7pm, but always carefully read the signs. ALWAYS check the signs. Some spots with meters are actually No Standing 7am-4pm, then metered 4pm-10pm. Park 15 feet from fire hydrants, $110 ticket any closer, do not park with any part of your car in a crosswalk or blocking a curb ramp.


Follow these rules, and use common sense, and you'll be fine.

Answer 2

i don't think driving in NYC is really all that bad. i guess it's all a matter of perspective.

the first time i ever drove a car was when i was 15 and in driver's ed in school. my school was in the West teens in Manhattan, and my first spin was a right turn down Fifth Avenue at about 4:30 PM, that is to say, Rush Hour. i was already used to rush hour traffic from a pedestrian's POV, but now i was in the middle of all the busses and taxicabs whizzing by. we drove as far as the Meatpacking District (where they actually *still* packed meat back then) and then back to school. i really didn't have time to think about getting scared, and it became second nature in no time. i actually like driving in NYC, especially on some of the grand boulevards we have.

i do have to say that i think NYC drivers do at least one thing better than anyone else, that is weaving traffic when squeezing lanes onto a bridge or into a tunnel. that is something drivers in Boston have no clue what to do...

PS - i *don't* have a car, and i hardly ever need to drive in NYC, but when i have to, i rent a Zipcar and i don't even think about it...

Answer 3

It's like being in a different country...they should make everyone have a special license to drive here. No one follows the lines in the road. Cars will randomly stop in the lanes and unload (which is legal) and yeah, prepare to get honked at. Coming from someone who drives through this every day, please do me a favor and park outside the city. It's very frustrating to get stuck behind a visitor that is nervous and drives slower than george w. bush...

Answer 4

Enough fluff people...

Bottom line... if driving in Nashville makes someone nervous, then driving in NYC would be like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while getting punched in the crotch.

Seriously... ditch the car outside the city and take the train in. No parking woes... no getting cut off by cabbies and no insane parking fees.

Driving in NYC for an out-of-towner is suicide!!

Answer 5

If you have to drive here, just keep VERY alert.

You'll notice certain driving nuances here such as

1. Yellow cabs that just cut you (and other drivers) off by going across a couple of lanes to pick up a fare.

2. LOTS of congestion, especially around Midtown Manhattan as well as entrances to bridges and tunnels.

3. Outer boroughs...plenty of speed demons, especially on certain highways like the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn.

4. Basic rudeness, that is if you are driving "too slow" or confused and drivers around you just wanna rush.

Really....just keep alert of your surroundings and you should be fine.

Answer 6

I would NOT reccomend driving. It takes about half an hour to go 3 blocks.It's horrible, I would reccomend a train or a subway then you can take a bus to your final destination (once out of NY). If you have to drive through it, keep very alert, don't talk at all and drive slow, it's worth it.

Answer 7

Driving in NYC is like an amusement park bumper car ride with real cars.

Answer 8

You have to have nerves of steel to even THINK of driving in NYC. Find a parking garage somewhere and hoof it or use the subway.

Answer 9

take a cab, they know the streets so you don't get more lost, it may cost some money, but you know... better to be there with someone who knows what they're doing!