When on a long journey, or your regular commute, it’s almost inevitable that you will find yourself in heavy traffic. It’s not a fun experience to be sat bumper-to-bumper for sometimes hours at a time but there are things you can do to make it more bearable.
Whether it’s driving habits, safety or comfort during heavy traffic, here are our tips to improve your driving should you find yourself caught in congestion.
How to Drive your Car in Heavy Traffic
Whether driving a manual or automatic car, traffic jams are a pain to be in whatever type of vehicle you’re in. However, the advice is slightly different for an automatic than for a manual car, so read on for tips specific to your vehicle.
Tips for driving a manual in heavy traffic
Using the Handbrake:
When driving in traffic, employing the handbrake whenever possible is a valuable technique. This practice not only minimises the strain on your foot but also serves as a preventive measure against rolling back on inclines.
Mastering clutch control:
A crucial aspect of navigating stop-and-go traffic is understanding clutch control. Efficiently releasing the clutch and applying smooth acceleration prevents jerky movements, enhancing the comfort of the drive for both the driver and passengers.
Choosing the right gear:
Efficient traffic driving hinges on knowing which gear to be in at any given moment. Remaining in a lower gear enhances responsiveness, facilitating smoother acceleration or deceleration. However, it’s important to avoid unnecessary gear changes, as this can lead to increased fuel consumption.
An automatic
Optimising gear selection enhances vehicle performance and fuel efficiency. When moving, D should be selected, but you should shift to N when stationary to prevent unnecessary strain on the transmission.
Selecting the proper gear/mode:
How to Reduce Fuel Consumption in a Traffic Jam
One of the primary concerns when driving in heavy traffic is fuel consumption. Low speed and low gears both contribute significantly to poor MPG. There are, however, some things you can do to improve MPG even in congestion.
Get into second gear
If traffic allows, attempt to get into second gear to bring your revs down. This should only be done if there is room for acceleration, don’t risk safety for the sake of a small increase in MPG.
Turn off the engine if you’re in stand-still traffic
If you’re in stand-still traffic, it’s almost pointless keeping your engine running. Although this situation only occurs during the worst traffic jams, it’s a valuable tip to bare in mind.
Limit electronic equipment
The use of electronics such as air conditioning, heated seats or charging phones will increase MPG in or out of traffic, but when your miles per gallon is already low, you don’t want to worsen it. If turning them off entirely isn’t an option, you may opt for intermittent use of electronics.
Ensuring the car is in good condition before a trip
A poorly maintained car will usually have poor fuel economy. By making sure that things such as spark plugs, tyres, brakes, oils and fluids are in good condition, you can improve your MPG even in heavy traffic.
Gently set off when moving
When setting off in traffic, there is absolutely no need for harsh acceleration. Not only will it increase fuel consumption, but it may also lead to dangerous situations on the road due to harsh braking, worsening an already bad situation.
For more tips on how to save money on your fuel, check out our guide.
How to Stay Safe on the Road Whilst in a Traffic Jam
As with any drive, safety is always the most important aspect to consider. Despite travelling at a lower speed, slow-moving traffic offers a host of other safety issues that may present themselves. Here are a few things you should consider when driving on congested roads.
No distractions
This should go without saying, but no matter how slow the traffic is moving, you should always ensure that your attention is on the road. Braking is common during traffic jams, so you should be prepared to stop at any moment to prevent accidents.
Drive defensively
Defensive driving is a proactive approach that prioritises safety on the road. In heavy traffic, it involves anticipating potential hazards, maintaining a safe following distance, and staying aware of surroundings. This approach minimises the risk of accidents, reduces stress, and ensures a smoother flow of traffic by fostering a cooperative and cautious driving environment.
Consider safe ways to get around the traffic
If it’s possible, you should consider an alternative route to avoid the traffic you’re stuck in. This will hopefully reduce the traffic jam, but it may also ease your anxiety and speed up your journey.
That concludes our guide on how to drive in heavy traffic. By following our tips you will minimise issues faced when driving in congestion, with safety, comfort and fuel economy in mind.
For more driving tips, head over to our blog page which is full of valuable insights into car maintenance, efficiency and guides.
