The Tricks and Tips of Manoeuvring Traffic

Nothing ruins an otherwise perfect day like getting stuck in Lagos traffic and running late for daily appointments.

With the rainy season upon us, which is usually between April and September, traffic is expected to get worse as flooding and poor drainage might worsen the already bad situation.

Road constructions and repairs in traffic-prone areas around the state have also contributed to bottlenecks commuters have to manoeuvre, extending hours spent on the road.

Knowing the tricks and tips of manoeuvring traffic can help commuters reach their destinations without raising their blood pressure.

Make sure your car is road ready

“Always wear your seat belt; set rear view and side mirrors appropriately to eliminate blind spots around your vehicle; raise your seat high enough so you have a clear view of the road, sit on a small pillow if necessary; keep valuable items in the boot.”

Avoid rush hours

Rush hours are the worst times in traffic because they are when most people (workers, students, business owners or worshippers) are on the road commuting to and from work/school after the day’s job.

Use traffic apps

Traffic apps such as Google Maps and navigation tools built into most smartphones have the ability to detect traffic congestion and redirect road users to less congested routes.Some cars also have GPS systems that help carry out the same function.These apps also give an estimated time to commuters’ destinations in real-time.

Slow down

“When there are more cars than usual on the road, it will naturally slow you down. While you might be tempted to try to drive faster to avoid delays, that can cause a crash. Always remember to proceed with caution – obstacles can come out of nowhere. Keeping your eyes peeled and maintaining your focus at all times will keep you safe,”

Avoid distractions

“It seems obvious, but it still needs to be stated – no one should ever text and drive. Stay focused on the road at all times. This is even more important when driving in heavy traffic. Just because you’re moving slower doesn’t make driving less dangerous.

Maintain safe distance

“It is a good idea to maintain a distance of at least three seconds between your car and other vehicles to avoid frequent braking and to keep your vehicle safe,”

Avoid changing lanes

“Rapidly switching lanes to try to get ahead of the traffic is very dangerous. Other drivers can’t predict what you’re going to do, so they may change lanes as you’re approaching. Likewise, you don’t know what other drivers are doing, so the safest move is to stay in one lane unless it’s necessary to move.”