When driving in city traffic, how far ahead should you try to look?

When driving in city traffic, looking at least one block ahead is crucial for safety and effective driving. This practice allows drivers to anticipate potential hazards, such as stopped vehicles, pedestrians crossing the street, or sudden traffic changes. By maintaining this distance in your line of sight, you can better prepare for any necessary maneuvers, such as slowing down or changing lanes, which contributes to smoother traffic flow and reduces the likelihood of accidents.

Looking too close, such as only immediately ahead, limits your ability to react to situations that may arise suddenly, while trying to see more than two blocks ahead could result in distraction from immediate conditions that require your attention. Therefore, aiming to look at least one block ahead provides the right balance between being aware of distant traffic and responding to immediate driving conditions.