Downtown Lexington is a great place to visit for some excellent shops or to go out to eat, but it can also be a dangerous place to drive. It is often congested, and the addition of regular ambulances, cyclists, pedestrians and others to the through traffic can mean the traffic patterns aren’t predictable.
It’s common that the city gets backed up, making it so traffic is stopping and going a little at a time. Unfortunately, stop-and-go traffic like this can lead to a crash and, potentially, serious injuries.
Staying safe in stop-and-go traffic
It’s possible for you to stay safe in stop-and-go traffic. Here are a few tips to help you avoid a crash, so you can get to your destination safely.
- Avoid tailgating
One of the first things to remember about stop-and-go traffic is that it can quickly cause you to creep up on other drivers. You need to focus on maintaining good space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
By making sure you keep a few cars’ lengths between your vehicle and the next in line, you’ll be more likely to be able to stop if they suddenly brake.
- Look for an alternative path
There are lots of one-way streets downtown, but there are also side streets and neighborhoods that you may be able to go through to avoid the traffic in central downtown. Consider rerouting to New Circle to get to the right side of the city before taking residential roads to get where you’re going.
- Plan your drive ahead of time
Finally, remember to always plan your drive ahead of time. It’s likely that you’re going to hit stop-and-go traffic patterns more in the morning and afternoon rush hours. You may also run into heavier traffic around lunchtime. Plan extra time for your drive, so you’re not rushing when you’re stuck in traffic.
These are a few things you can do to avoid a crash in stop-and-go traffic. If you do get into a crash, try to pull your vehicle to the side of the road, and wait for emergency help to arrive.