Like many cities around the world, the Corporate Area is a bustling hive of activity with peak hour gridlock traffic and vendors everywhere. Of course, there are other hazards like crazy drivers, stop light beggars, and careless pedestrians that you have to contend with. Use these helpful tips to drive safely in the city.

1. Don’t speed. The Corporate Area is the last place you want to be speeding. It increases the risk of an accident and decreases your ability to stop quickly in the event of a hazard, aka taxi, which are plentiful in the city.
    
2. Don’t compete with taxi drivers – If you want you and your vehicle to get home in the same condition you left, it’s best to just give way to the taxis on the road. They will cut ahead of you, cut in on you, and stop abruptly in front of you, and they really don’t care about your million dollar care as much as you do.
    
3. Get to know the short cuts – When you come upon traffic, which is inevitable, it’s good to know the shortcuts in the town. Mind you, you may drive through some areas that give you the shivers but if you know the shortcuts and are willing to take the risk then you’ll save a lot of time avoiding traffic. In the same breath don’t go into areas where you’re unfamiliar and could get lost. Besides, some areas have one entrance that doubles as an exit, and news can spread fast that a strange vehicle has entered the community. Sure, not everyone is waiting to rob you but why take the risk?
    
4. Listen to the radio for areas to avoid – It’s the city. That means spontaneous roadblock or spontaneous flooding. Either can happen at any time. Keep a reliable station on to listen for advisories on where to avoid when something happens.
    
5. Keep the windows up at traffic lights – These are likely the areas where you’ll be most vulnerable. Almost every stoplight either has a beggar, windshield wiper, vendor, or all three. Not everyone has good intentions, and since you can’t move until the light changes or the vehicle ahead of you does, then it’s best to play it safe.

About the Author
Denise Clarke is a freelance journalist based in Kingston, Jamaica. She has written for print and online newspapers in Jamaica, Barbados, and the British Virgin Islands. Email her with feedback at [email protected].