Video Safety Tip: Urban Driving
Here's advice, provided by State Farm and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, on how to drive safely in central business districts in major cities.

Photo: AAA
Some drivers become more apprehensive when they’re driving in a major city’s central business district. There are more vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, blaring horns, responding emergency vehicles, one-way streets, bus stops — all of which can combine to make driving more challenging.
Click on the photo or link above to watch a video that offers city driving tips from Vision Zero San Francisco and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
Additionally, State Farm offers this advice:
Avoid aggressive driving and weaving from lane to lane.
Keep a safe distance of at least three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead of you. This will help avoid frequent braking and rear-end collisions.
Watch the traffic ahead closely. When cars in front brake, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down gradually before you brake. Be cautious not to brake abruptly.
Stay focused. Keep your mind on driving by avoiding distractions such as eating or using your cell phone.
Use your blinkers when changing lanes or merging. Most state laws require activating blinkers at least 100 feet before merging or turning, but some states require at least 200 feet.
Use your mirrors to monitor the areas around your car. Perform head checks to check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging.
Use the length of the acceleration lane to merge safely into traffic.
Be responsible with technology, and plan ahead. Before you start your trip, check traffic apps on your phone or listen to radio reports to avoid extra-congested areas. If you're worried about encountering heavy traffic during your commute, take time before you leave to map out an alternate route on your GPS.
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
More Safety

A 20-Minute Safety Check for Small Fleets Before Operation Safe Driver Week
No safety department? No problem. Here's a practical checklist small fleet managers can use before Operation Safe Driver Week begins.
Read More →
Why Small Fleets Keep Getting Tripped Up by ELD Compliance
Roadcheck revealed a hard truth: most ELD violations aren't intentional. They're caused by small mistakes that can cost fleets time, money, and trust.
Read More →
Before the Fireworks Start Small Fleets Should Review Their Cargo Security Plans
Long holiday weekends create prime conditions for cargo theft. Here's what small fleet operators should review before the Fourth of July.
Read More →
5 Safe Driving Tips for 4th of July
To ensure that this year’s fireworks remain in the sky and not on the roadway, follow these five easy steps to remain safe on the road this year – shared directly from a truck driver.
Read More →
Farmers Insurance Expands Red Cross Support With Disaster Relief Investment
Farmers Insurance joined the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program with a $250,000 contribution supporting disaster recovery efforts nationwide.
Read More →
Netradyne Delivers 66% Reduction in At-Fault Crashes Across Domino's Franchise Network
Five Domino's franchises and more than 1,000 vehicles are now running on Netradyne's AI-powered fleet safety and performance platform. Designed for fleets that use personal or non-owned vehicles, FlexMount allows drivers to quickly install and remove Driver-i.
Read More →
Your Suppliers Are Part of Your Disaster Plan
Your suppliers can make or break disaster response. Here’s how fleets can reduce vendor risk and keep critical parts flowing when storms hit.
Read More →
How Federal Disaster Declarations Work and Why Fleet Leaders Need to Know
How federal disaster declarations work and why fleet leaders should care about funding, reimbursements, infrastructure repairs, and recovery timelines.
Read More →
Safety Is Usually the First Priority… Until the Day Gets Busy
Small fleets can improve safety without big budgets by building simple routines, spotting blind spots early, and creating habits that stick.
Read More →
What Wheels Are Actually Doing at 60 MPH | Fleet Vehicle Science Explained
Tire Science for Fleets: Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down why the tire contact patch hits 0 mph and what that means for traction and wear.
Read More →