How far ahead should you be looking when driving in a city?

When driving in a city, it is essential to maintain an awareness of your surroundings and anticipate potential hazards. Looking 1 block ahead is the correct distance to ensure you have adequate time to react to changing traffic conditions, pedestrians, and other obstacles common in urban environments. This distance allows drivers to assess traffic signals, upcoming stops, and any unpredictable actions from pedestrians or cyclists, which are frequent in city driving.

In urban areas, where speeds are lower but decision-making needs to be quick, scanning 1 block ahead strikes a balance between situational awareness and the ability to react efficiently without becoming overwhelmed by distant events. While looking further ahead can be beneficial in other driving contexts, such as on highways where speeds are higher and the environment is less congested, city driving specifically requires a closer focus on immediate surroundings.