How do you drive in traffic without totally spazzing?

["couldbecousin"]

I took drivers ed in high school.  Our first drive took us over the Huey P. Long Bridge. (From Wikipedia - The bridge is hated by many drivers in the New Orleans area due to the narrow 9-foot (2.7 m) wide lanes without shoulders. Also, as the East Bank approach meets the superstructure of the bridge, the two vehicular roadways "jog" or shift inwards towards the bridge centerline about 11⁄2 feet (0.46 m) since the through-truss portion of the superstructure is 3 feet (0.91 m) wider than the deck truss portion of the east approach.)  It's narrow, has train tracks down the middle and has a speed limit of 40mph.  I had to drive it quite often for audit sites on the other side of the Mississippi.

I had to drive as much as 90 miles one-way to some audit sites.  I actually put 88,000 miles on one car before I had to replace the brakes since I did so much highway driving.  Practice, practice, practice is the key.  You'll do fine, even though you'll be driving on the wrong side of the road.

  Why will I be driving on the wrong side of the road? 

[Queen Victoria]

I took drivers ed in high school.  Our first drive took us over the Huey P. Long Bridge. (From Wikipedia - The bridge is hated by many drivers in the New Orleans area due to the narrow 9-foot (2.7 m) wide lanes without shoulders. Also, as the East Bank approach meets the superstructure of the bridge, the two vehicular roadways "jog" or shift inwards towards the bridge centerline about 11⁄2 feet (0.46 m) since the through-truss portion of the superstructure is 3 feet (0.91 m) wider than the deck truss portion of the east approach.)  It's narrow, has train tracks down the middle and has a speed limit of 40mph.  I had to drive it quite often for audit sites on the other side of the Mississippi.

I had to drive as much as 90 miles one-way to some audit sites.  I actually put 88,000 miles on one car before I had to replace the brakes since I did so much highway driving.  Practice, practice, practice is the key.  You'll do fine, even though you'll be driving on the wrong side of the road.

  Why will I be driving on the wrong side of the road? 

Because you're Lady Weeble and will be driving on the American side of the road.  BTW, how are you going to manage with no legs/feet in your weebleness?

[renaeden]

When I first got my licence I started driving only to work and back home to get used to it. Then I started broadening my horizons so to speak.

[Callaway]

If it were me, at first I would map out routes to work that are either at less busy times of day or else are on secondary roads to avoid heavy traffic.  I do tend to be more tense and focused in heavy traffic and not want to carry on conversations that require a lot of concentration, however, I think you will get more comfortable driving in traffic over time.

[odeon]

I've found that a sat nav unit helps. I'm not particularly good at finding my way, but it takes away all the stress. If I take the wrong turn, it will say so and help me find an alternative route.

My GPS also provides me with live traffic information, a truly awesome feature.

[Parts]

Stay to the lesser traveled roads if possible as others have said, so knowing alternate routes is a very good thing.  Another big thing is knowing where your are going and what lane to be in on the busy roads,  nothing sucks more than being in the wrong lane and finding out at the last minute and nobody will let you in.  Pay close attention to your surroundings and what the other cars are doing because most drivers don't and that is what gets them in trouble.

With that said my first time really driving on the highway and in heavy traffic was when my brother made me drive home from Kennedy Airport through NYC to Connecticut on I95 before that I had only driven on a rural part of I75 in Florida.

['andersom']

And watch out for too boring straight roads, with no variation at all on the sides. That, combined with a sky with repetitive clouds can be so mesmerising that it is not working out well either.

Wish I found the bravery to drive again too.

Loved some parts of it, the more long distance driving, but, village and city driving never made me happy.

[Icequeen]

[El]

I used to be better at it.  My attention span has gone to shit over the last couple of years.  It's worse when there's someone else in the car because I'm worrying about them and not just the road.

[Icequeen]

I used to be better at it.  My attention span has gone to shit over the last couple of years.  It's worse when there's someone else in the car because I'm worrying about them and not just the road.

Same here.

Another thing...I cannot carry on any conversation and drive in traffic, or areas where I need to concentrate. I have been know to tell others to "shut up" frequently in these situations.

Ex gets pissed because I absolutely will NOT answer the cell phone when driving. I'm lucky I can chew gum and walk some days, I really don't know what he expects.

["couldbecousin"]

I used to be better at it.  My attention span has gone to shit over the last couple of years.  It's worse when there's someone else in the car because I'm worrying about them and not just the road.

Same here.

Another thing...I cannot carry on any conversation and drive in traffic, or areas where I need to concentrate. I have been know to tell others to "shut up" frequently in these situations.

Ex gets pissed because I absolutely will NOT answer the cell phone when driving. I'm lucky I can chew gum and walk some days, I really don't know what he expects.

  I already expect I will not be able to talk to anyone in heavy traffic.  Except to say 

[Queen Victoria]

If you close your eyes the other traffic goes away.

[bodie]

Is the focus an 'automatic'?  It may be easier for you if it is.  One less foot to worry about!

If you have a sat nav,  don't change the voice on it to Ozzy Ozborne 

Just remember ...(it's the one in the middle)  erm...the brake that is

You can't spazz out any more than i did?  I drove to Scotland a week after i passed my test! went down motorway slip rd wrong way,  then reversed on a motorway

Drove to Amsterdam a month later...crazy bastards drive on the other side... i went round a roundabout wrong way,  almost went in canal and got several parking tickets

Whatever trouble you have just don't give up.  I was determined and pig headed, impetuous, obstinate and a complete spaz but hey i'm cool now

Always obey the speed limit,  especially in residential areas or around a school.  There ain't nothing clever about squashing a kid,  and if you did have some kid run out in front of you
just remember a pedestrian who is hit by a car travelling at between 30 mph and 40 mph is  5 times more likely to be killed than if hit by a car travelling at below 30 mph.

Other types of roads require less attention and are probably more enjoyable and you will be able to put your foot down.  You will then discover 'driving music'  enjoy enjoy enjoy

Oh, and cbc,   sober up a bit first

["couldbecousin"]

If you close your eyes the other traffic goes away.

     I actually watched a segment on TV many years ago about some
 religious nut who claimed he could drive with his eyes closed and "Saint Michael" would
 protect him.  He prayed  "St. Michael above, St. Michael below, St. Michael, St. Michael
 wherever I go."  Wonder if he lives in my city and drives the same route I'll be using.

[Icequeen]