Moscow driving
Hey there! Need some advice about Moscow driving? Well, I can surely understand, because that ain't no easy task to handle! The weather is harsh, the rules are "flexible" - and the roads are not exactly what you're used to. In short - driving in Moscow can be very unsettling!
To help you out, I've decided to write this page, where I'll be sharing my secrets of dealing with Moscow roads. After all, I'm a driver myself, so why not help out my comrade, especially a foreign one? Trust me, I know your problems very well thanks to my numerous foreign friends! 
Okay, the first thing you should become clear about is that Moscow driving can get quite extreme. Moscow drivers aren't very disciplined (although I am!), and frankly - I can't blame them.
When you have to drive many miles a day, getting constantly stuck in a traffic jams - it takes nerves of still not to break the rules. So, first of all - when in a traffic jam, be ready that people will try to bypass you from every possible direction. Don't get nervous - it's nothing personal, they're just trying to make it as fast as they can.
As I said, you can't really blame them. Sure, there are those who just don't care, but many people have a good reason to be in hurry. Some are late for work, others have an important meeting - and there are also lots of courier services in Moscow these days, and for those guys time is of utmost importance.
I wouldn't advise to "fight" them using your vehicle as some drivers do. You may see that some Moscow drivers begin blocking those who're trying to bypass them in a jam. Not a very good idea, because first of all - you're risking a traffic accident and second - you can't fight them all, right? No matter how hard you try to stop them, there will always be someone who succeeds, so just take it easy.
Russian Duma speaker, Boris Gryzlov, once pronounced a wonderful phrase - "the Parliament is no place for discussions." Whether he's right or not - I leave it up to you, but one thing's for certain - a road is no place for fights. Forget who's right and who is not, this is not important. What really matters is who makes it in one piece - and who doesn't. Your goal is not to outrun everyone but to travel safely from point A to point B.
Another peace of advice - don't mess with the hotheads. There's that golden Moscow driving rule that goes "make way for a fool", meaning you have to let those who misbehave just pass you by. Playing with them on the road can be dangerous for two reasons:
1) You're risking your car, yourself and those who're going together with you, and you aren't really proving anything to anyone.
2) You never know who's sitting in that vehicle. If that's an expensive Lexus or Porsche - better leave them alone, because those guys can be more dangerous than the accident itself!
Always try to plan your trip in advance if you don't want to waste your time in traffic. Although it doesn't always apply, it's better to wake up half an hour earlier and have a good chance to make it on time rather than to have to cancel an important meeting.
Driving in Moscow can get tough sometimes
(by SergeyRod)
Use the services like Yandex.Probki ("Yandex Jams") to have a good outlook on current Moscow traffic. They became really accurate lately, so don't think it's just a nice picture that doesn't really show you anything!
If despite everything you're being late - speeding is the worst thing you can come up with. First of all, it's dangerous, plain and simple, and coupled with the fact there are many others who're trying to make their way against the rules - your chances of accident increase many times. Don't risk it, you're probably not *that* well-prepared for driving in Moscow!
Second, you can run into Moscow GIBDD, and then you'll either have to spend couple of hours paying fines in "Sberbank" - or buy your way out, like in "Monopoly".
Either of these ways isn't really good, and mind that if you've been really misbehaving - you can get your license suspended for a long, long time. The rules have been really tightened lately - and Moscow road police is always on its watch, so don't mess with them!
Always mind the weather. In winter, try to avoid driving if it's cold and snowy, because traffic is going to be terrible - and driving conditions aren't going to improve either. If everything goes really out of hand, there can be bare ice on the roads, and I wouldn't advise you to check your Moscow driving skills in that situation. Better use the good old Moscow metro!
Speaking of which - I would say that Moscow metro is probably the best option to travel around. If you've come for a short trip - there's no need to rent a car, because you're going to waste more time than gain.
Yes, our subway may not be the most comfortable around - but at least you'll make it on time without risking a traffic accident or getting mad at Moscow drivers who don't follow the rules. Consider this option before you're looking to rent a car!
Still not convinced? Well then, get yourself a set of wheels - and off you go! Just remember, always, always, ALWAYS play it safe! Driving in Moscow is not about proving anything to anyone, remember that! Just follow the rules, stay in the right lane - and obey the speed limit.
Let those who're looking to get hurt play their own games - you're smarter than that! As my grandfather once put it -"let them pass, they are in a hurry. In a hurry for their funeral." As cynical as it may sound - I couldn't have said id better myself!
...and you aren't in a hurry, right? 
Related posts:
- How to avoid Moscow traffic jams
- Moscow Roads Structure - The Secrets Of Roads In Moscow
- GIBDD - the Moscow Road Police Force
- Moscow traffic jams - how to deal with traffic in Moscow.
- Moscow transport
- Moscow traffic survival guide
