New York City is the most populated city in America with over 8 million residents. This bustling metropolis is full of excitement, and the streets are always full of honking yellow taxi cabs and aggravated drivers. If you are taking a trip or moving to Manhattan or the surrounding areas, then you need to be informed of the city driving etiquette. Urban drivers are normally quite aggressive, and minor collisions are quite common. If you want to prevent a fender bender or a door ding, then you will want to adhere to the following unspoken rules. These New York City traffic tips are also applicable in other large, congested cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.

One of the most practical ways to avoid an accident on busy city streets is to avoid driving drunk. Cities like New York are full of bars and clubs where alcohol is plentiful. If you plan to party the night away, make sure to choose a designated driver, or leave the car at home and use a cab instead. Alcohol affects your spatial awareness, which can become a huge issue on the jammed city streets. In New York, your car can be seized by the police if you do not adhere to the state DUI regulations. The NYPD are always searching for drivers who are under the influence, and will issue a DUI that has many consequences attached.

Another practical New York City driving tip: observe the "no right on red" rule. This rule is specific to New York. In every other state, you are allowed to legally make a right turn at a red light after you have come to a full and complete stop and made sure that the way is clear. Not so in New York. This is because of the massive amounts of pedestrians that are waiting at the crosswalks, and the rarity of a break in oncoming traffic. In Manhattan it is best to just obey the traffic lights, and when it come stop a right-hand turn, just wait for the green to go. While this rule is only legally enforced in New York, it is wise to keep it in mind in other big cities. Sometimes the streets are packed with people and other cars, and it's best to sit back until you are given the go.

A third tip is to avoid "locking the block." This happens when a driver enters an intersection and then realizes that he or she cannot fit on the other side. Now, the vehicle is stuck in the middle of the intersection, creating a traffic jam and inconveniencing others. Be aware of how much room is on the other side of the intersection before crossing. In New York City, grid-locking is actually illegal and drivers are issued fines.

Fourth, when driving in New York, avoid joining the "horn chorus." Many drivers in New York wail on their horns as a means to get others attentions, but the cacophony does little good. Also, certain areas of Manhattan are now "dead zones" where honking a horn incurs a hefty fine. If you are in a location with a lot of resident housing, then honking is probably illegal. Only use the horn when it is absolutely necessary to do so, and even then, tap it instead of slamming. In the end, it is best to use taxis, subway systems, or your legs when travelling through big cities. Walking is the best way to see the city, and subways and taxis can help you to get a feel of the urban culture. Taxi drivers are experienced with maneuvering in city traffic, and are also familiar with the layout of the municipality. This way, they are able to get you where you need to do without getting lost, and you won't have to search for the normally non-existent parking.