8 Types of Drivers on New York City’s Streets (and How Not to Lose Your Cool)
New York City is a paved jungle of honking horns, sudden stops, and unexpected lane changes. If you drive in NYC, you’ll encounter all kinds of drivers, each with their own quirks and—for residents of the city—survival strategies.
Some drivers will test your patience, while others may make you question why you chose to drive in The Big Apple.
Here are some of the most common types of drivers in NYC and how to deal with them.
The Horn Addict
Some drivers in NYC honk at everything—traffic lights that haven’t turned green yet, pedestrians crossing legally, even cars that are already moving as fast as possible.
These horn addicts believe that excessive noise will somehow make traffic disappear. It won’t, but that won’t stop them from trying.
The best way to handle horn addicts is to ignore them. If you’re doing nothing wrong, just keep driving safely and let them honk their hearts out. Reacting with frustration only adds to the chaos.
If you’re in heavy traffic and someone is leaning on their horn behind you, don’t let it pressure you into making unsafe moves.
NYC’s noise laws actually prohibit excessive honking, but good luck getting anyone to enforce that.
Rideshare Roulette
Uber and Lyft drivers make up a huge portion of NYC’s traffic, and their driving style is unpredictable. Some are professionals who know the streets well, others are new and rely entirely on GPS, and, in our opinion, some don’t drive with sufficient caution.
Rideshare drivers may stop abruptly to pick up passengers, make odd turns, and drive aggressively to complete as many trips as possible.
If you’re driving near a marked rideshare vehicle, assume it might stop suddenly. Watch for turn signals, but don’t rely on them—sometimes rideshare drivers change lanes without warning.
If you’re a passenger, be considerate when getting in and out of a rideshare vehicle; don’t open your door without checking for cyclists or other vehicles first.
Tourists Lost in Traffic
New York is full of visitors, and some of them rent cars or drive in from out of town. You can spot tourists hesitating at intersections, braking unexpectedly, or staring at their phones for directions.
Many of them have no idea how to handle NYC traffic, and they slow everything down while they try to figure it out.
If you see a car with out-of-state plates driving erratically, assume the driver is lost. Be patient and give them space.
Trust us—honking at them won’t help, and they might panic and make an even worse decision. If they stop in the middle of the road, don’t tailgate—just go around when it’s safe. Everyone was a newbie driver in NYC once.
The Speed Demon
Speed demons treat the streets of New York like their own personal racetrack. They weave in and out of traffic, accelerate at every green light, and sometimes even run red lights if they think they can get away with it.
You’ll often spot them in sports cars or souped-up sedans, engines roaring as they dart past slower vehicles. These drivers are unpredictable, and they often make the roads even more dangerous.
To handle speed demons, stay alert and maintain a safe distance. Let them pass instead of trying to match their pace. If you see one coming up behind you, switch lanes if possible and let them go. They’re not worth the risk.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, excessive speed is a leading cause of traffic fatalities in the city.
So, let speed demons rush off to wherever they’re going—you’ll probably catch up to them at the next red light anyway.
Taxi Tornado
Yellow cabs are the lifeblood of New York City, but their drivers can be a nightmare to deal with. They may stop suddenly to pick up passengers, cut across multiple lanes without signaling, and sometimes squeeze through spaces that seem too narrow for a car to fit.
If there’s a chance to shave a few seconds off their trip, taxi drivers will often take it, even if it means bending a few traffic rules.
If you find yourself near a taxi, expect the unexpected. Keep an eye on their brake lights and be ready to stop at a moment’s notice.
Don’t assume they’ll signal before changing lanes—many won’t. If you’re driving behind one, give yourself extra space so you don’t get caught off guard.
And if you’re trying to hail a cab yourself, make sure you’re not standing in the middle of traffic!
The Bike-Lane Invader
Some drivers in NYC treat bike lanes like an extension of the road—or worse, a parking spot. These invaders drift into lanes meant for cyclists, forcing them to swerve into traffic.
Delivery trucks, taxis, and even private cars are often guilty of this, ignoring the fact that bike lanes exist to keep cyclists safe.
If you’re driving, be aware of bike lanes and respect them. Don’t block them, and always check your mirrors before turning or opening your door.
If you’re a cyclist, assume that some drivers won’t notice you and ride defensively.
The NYC Department of Transportation reports that bike lanes have significantly reduced cyclist injuries where they’re installed, so it’s crucial to keep them clear and safe for everyone.
Delivery Van Daredevil
Food and package delivery drivers are under immense pressure to complete their routes quickly. This means you’ll often see them double-parking, blocking crosswalks, or making last-second turns.
They have tight deadlines, and in a city that never stops ordering takeout, their job is nonstop.
To stay safe around delivery drivers, expect them to make sudden moves. If a delivery truck is parked in the middle of the street with its hazard lights on, don’t assume it will stay put—watch for the driver.
If you’re walking, be extra cautious when crossing in front of a parked van. Their view might be blocked, and they may not see you.
The Pedestrian in the Road
Okay, pedestrians aren’t drivers, but they still play a major role in NYC traffic. Many of them jaywalk, cross against the light, or step into the street without looking.
Some are glued to their phones, oblivious to their surroundings. Others seem to believe that cars will always stop for them—sometimes, they’re right, but sometimes, they’re not.
As a driver, always be on high alert for pedestrians. Slow down near crosswalks, and be ready to stop even if you have the right of way.
If you’re a pedestrian, stay aware and don’t assume drivers will stop for you. New York has some of the busiest crosswalks in the world, and distractions can be deadly.
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