Driving in the USA
Things you should know
The first thing to say about driving in the USA is that generally it is
more relaxed than in Europe. Driving speeds are lower. Drivers are more
polite and aware of their fellow road users and everywhere they show
respect for the laws. They make great "Car Chase" movies in the USA. The
reason is quite simple - it is to compensate for the fact that everyday
driving and road usage isn't normally exciting - just straightforward
and pleasurable. There are a few differences between their driving and
ours. The similarities outweigh the differences though! Cars now seem
the same the world over but please take the time to read the "How
to Drive Your American Car" section and to familiarise
yourself with the controls BEFORE you drive off. And please read the "Frequently
Asked Questions" and "Important
Safety Tips" - statistics show that turning left at
junctions is the most common manoeuvre involved in accidents. Until they
had their revolution the Americans drove on the left like all sensible
folk. They switched to driving on the right to copy their new friends,
the French! We are stuck with it now so remember - drive on the right!
Road signs
Are very similar to European signs and in increasing cases are exactly
the same. See some
example signs. A very common sign indicates "Right of
Way". It is a red and white triangle but very sensibly it says "YIELD".
You MUST give priority to the traffic on the road you are joining when
you see this sign. SPEED LIMIT SIGNS are usually black on white and are
very clear. Each City, Town, Village or Hamlet can decide on its own
speed limit so watch out for these because it is not unusual for the
speed limit to be a low as 15 mph! On major through routes (Freeways
etc) you will see TWO signs. One for the SPEED LIMIT and one for the
MINIMUM speed you may travel at. The top Speed Limit in most states is
65 mph on Freeways however in some States (Like Massachusetts) they have
held the limit at 55 mph. SPEED LIMITS can be very strictly enforced.
Both in built up areas and on the Freeways. On the Freeways the Highway
Patrol can HIDE IN THE BUSHES to catch unsuspecting speedsters! YOU HAVE
BEEN WARNED! Very Very important signs are the DIRECTIONAL SIGNS on all
major routes and road junctions. These are usually green in colour and
give details of routes usually by ROUTE NUMBER. It is best not to rely
on these signs giving clear direction by names of towns or cities. The
compass points are invariably used for signs and directions e.g. "417
South to I-4". Plan you journey by the Route Numbers and the direction
and you will be OK. HAVE A GOOD MAP AT ALL TIMES!
The Road Network
You will probably do a lot of driving on the through route networks.
They come under different names. "Freeways", "Turnpikes", "Expressways"
and "Parkways" to name just four. All of them can be "Interstates". The
Interstate Network crosses the entire Nation and very conveniently they
number the East-West Routes with even numbers and the North-South Routes
with odd numbers. They are not all "Free"! Tolls can turn up
anywhere so always have a supply of coins and small notes. Some of the
Booths are "automatic" - just throw the right money in the Basket but
there will always be attended Booths as well where you can get change.
The attendants at Toll Booths can give great directions! When in doubt
ask 'em!
Car Pool Lanes
Freeways in many states operate Car Pool Lanes during certain times of
the day when cars must have two or more people travelling to use them.
Driving In Town
Apart from the Parking rules mentioned above driving in American Towns
and Cities is just common sense. All over the USA you will find that
you can turn right on a red light provided that the road is clear.
This is banned in New York and may be banned by a sign in other areas.
This sign like the traffic lights themselves is up in the air suspended
on cables (Americans are not very good about burying their power
cables). Do remember that those traffic lights are up there! And watch
out for pedestrians!
Parking
In the majority of cases Parking is "off street" and car parks are well
indicated. No parking signs are best obeyed. (In New York City
there are signs which say "No Parking, No Stopping, No Standing, No
Kidding"!). If you can park in the street remember:
·
Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant on either side.
·
You must park on the right (your car must never face the traffic).
·
Never park in a space reserved for the disabled.
·
Never park in front of red or yellow painted curbs- these are reserved
for emergency vehicles.
·
Never park on a white line at a bus stop.
·
Remember where you left your car! In Disney, Universal Studios and all
the other Theme Parks the Car Parks |