Many people will avoid driving in any busy downtown area, big or small because it can be very confusing with one way as well as two way city streets and many intersections.
Also there is more traffic and pedestrians in a relatively confined area on city streets.
These tips can help you navigate in a downtown area that you may not be familiar with.
1. Try to avoid the busiest time of day (around 2:00-6:00 P.M.)
The time people start going home from work will cause a lot of congestion in any business district.
This will slow you down, cause more frustration and have more risk of a collision. If you must drive during rush hour in town, be extra cautious and vigilant, especially at intersections.
2. Before driving into an unfamiliar city, plan your route with a map or navigation device.
Preferably have the directions step by step written out unless you have a GPS.
Know the names of streets before your turns, then you won't be signaling and slowing at the last minute.
Also only look down at your directions if you are pulled to the curb or stopped at a stop sign or light.
3. Be looking well ahead before you approach an intersection on city streets.
City blocks frequently have restricted lanes for each direction.
Looking well ahead will allow you to see what lane you need to be in by looking at the markings on the road as well as signs approaching the intersection.
You will also be prepared for unexpected problems at the intersection.
4. As you are stopped at a light, take time to look ahead at the new road you will be coming onto.
If you are turning, looking into that road will allow you to clearly see what lane you will be coming into.
If you are going straight you can see where your lane goes and if traffic is backed up ahead.
5. Make a turn onto a new road only when you are sure it is safe and legal.
City streets can be confusing. If you aren't sure you can safely and legally make your turn, continue straight and turn where you know it's safe.
6. Look at the color of the divider lines on the road you turn onto when turning left.
The color of divider lines is probably the quickest way to know if the road is a one way or two way street, other than seeing one way signs.
If the divider line is yellow, get on the right side of it, it is a two way.
All white lines, it is a one way street, turn into the left lane on a left turn.
7. If you find you turned the wrong way onto a one way street, quickly and calmly look for the nearest place to pull over and turn around.
If you didn't immediately end up in a collision you will be ok.
Don't panic, other drivers will stay clear of you until you get turned around.
8. If you turned into a wrong lane don't immediately swerve into the correct lane. Wait until you can safely lane change into the correct lane.
If it is on a one way you turned into the wrong lane, and you didn't have a collision, you are safe and might just stay where you are.
If you suddenly swerve to the other lane someone could be in that lane right behind you.
If it is on a two way and you got into the lane of oncoming traffic, do a quick check over your shoulder and move over if it is clear.
9. Look first left, then center, then right before entering ANY intersection on city streets.
Many people run red lights and try to beat the yellow lights.
This is more common in busy city areas.
A quick glance all directions will keep you safe from red light runners.
10. Stay in the right lane unless you know you will be turning left soon.
If you are unfamiliar with the area the right lane will be safer because it's the lane with slower traffic and it will be easier to turn off the road from the right than from the left lane.