Safe Speed Forums

I'm off to visit a friend in the States at the end of the month. I drove briefly there a few years ago, but this'll be my first journey of serious length where I'm actually navigating, and not just going straight up an interstate. Aside from the obvious 'Drive on the right' has anyone got any tips for staying safe out there?

Cheers,

Tc.

Bear in mind that the average driving standard is a lot lower there. At least, that's what I've gathered from what people I know from the US have told me about their driving... Fortunately the traffic density is a lot lower, so you shouldn't have too many problems. And it's easier to park in cities.

Oh, and be prepared to drive an automatic, as the concept of a 'standard' is something they don't seem to approve of...!

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-mike[F]
Caught in the rush of the crowd, lost in a wall of sound..

I've driven a lot in the USA and Canada.
Their drivers are more courteous, except in the New York area and on some of the California freeways.
Their cruising speeds are now more realistic and speed limits have been increased in many areas on the freeways.
The big things to remember are that on freeways they overtake on either side, which can be a bit confusing on 4- or 5-lane highways until you get used to it, and that you can turn right at a red traffic light unless there is a sign saying 'No right turn on red'. Why we can't turn left on red here I'll never understand.
The off-ramps on freeways sometimes have very sharp turns as you exit.
You normally have to pay for your gas before pumping it in, to prevent 'drive-offs'.
In some areas, like south of 2-mile street in Detroit, and other 'bad' areas, never stop close to the car in front at night, even if it was going very slowly (especially if this is the case). You can get boxed in and robbed. This applies in places like Miami, Atlanta, Orlando, Chicago, but not really in the country.
Instead of give ways at crossroads, they have 4-way stops. You stop and the vehicle arriving at the Stop sign first goes first. It's all very courteous.
Apart from that, drive forward into parking lots and spaces, not reversing in like sometimes happens here.
Also, watch out for elderly female drivers in big cars.
It's very relaxed driving there I always find, much more relaxed than in Germany, for example.
And they all love the Brits!

Trucks are not speed limited. I had a scary moment joining an interstate with a truck in the distance - assumed that it would be going UK speed and had to brake hard at the bottom of the "on ramp" to avoid being smashed into little pieces. Later spoke to a few truck drivers, and they said that when the roads are clear they will average 80mph. They don't give way or change lanes to let you in if they can help it either. Many Trucks are double length too with a second trailer.

Trains are long - if you have to stop for a train at a crossing think about getting out, having a smoke or something; it will take about 5 minutes before the train will have gone past.

Parking spaces are generous enough that you can actually fit a car into them and open the doors.

Navigation is fairly easy because virtually every city is based on a grid system so the hotel I stayed at on "3rd and G" in Washington DC was 3 blocks away from the mall and 7 along from the origin (which is Capital Hill). It takes very little effort and only the most basic maps to be able to work out where you are.

Long distance driving is very common, but long distance really means long - Washington DC to Macon (100mls outside of Atlanta) required an overnight stop, but just pick any motel and you will find good facilities and friendly people. Beware of "its just down the road" type directions to things like restaurants - most Americans think nothing of driving 2 hours for a good meal.

Gas varies in quality substantially. If you are driving a rental, then put the cheapest in, but most owners of decent cars will always use a premium brand.

Despite large engines most cars are totally gutless, have mattress springs and no dampers in the suspension. Don't expect to be able to accelerate, brake or turn with anything like the ability of a UK car.

As in the "confusion of pedals in automatic" thread, watch out for the handbrake being a small pedal left of where the clutch should be. And of course the gear selector is where most UK cars have the wiper controls.

Indicators are flashing brake lights not separate orange lights, this can be confusing and might disguise how quickly someone is braking.

Many laws are local to the particular state, so I was quite surprised to find that taking a beer outside of a building (when I went for a cigarette) was illegal.

I drive/ride about 10K a year in the US. I find it easy to get around on my own so if you are navigating it should be a doddle.

It depends where you go and what time of year.

If you are in the mid-west watch driving at night. The wildlife can be a menace.

As far as navigation is concerned it can get confusing when you get a "business" route running parallel to the highway. Try and stay on the main highways if possible.

Watch out for cloverleaf exits (usually marked A & B) if you join on a cloverleaf you only get a few yards to get over to the left otherwise you end up coming back off again.

You can do a U turn at most traffic lights but watch out for traffic turning in front of you (right on red).

The police are usually UK if you are polite NEVER get out of your car if you get pulled over. Make sure the driver keeps his hands on the wheel till the cop comes to the window.

Speed wise they are very hot when going through towns so stick to the posted limits. On the interstate 75-80 is normally OK or just keep pace with the traffic.

If you have a rental it is worth getting both names on the agreement just in case you need to drive.

A good tip if you are getting a rental.....pre-book the cheapest thing you can find then upgrade at the counter. When I was in LA earlier this year I ordered a Focus and got a Mustang soft top with satellite radio for an extra $5 a day. A huge saving. Sometimes they throw in the upgrade for free.

Depending where you are you may have to pre-buy the fuel. Otherwise you can usually swipe your card at the pumps (a great system once you have got used to it).

If you are in Chicago collect LOADS of change for the tolls. Some of the booths are un-manned and you have to have coins handy. If you have to go through a toll without paying get an envelope from the next one to drop off your fee.

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Speed camera policy Kills

It's been a while since I drove there, but some points I remember, so think will probably still hold. It does vary a lot from state to state though:
Every - YES EVERY - Police patrol vehicle has a speed device on the dashboard - and if you are going above the speed limit - you WILL get stopped and fined on the spot. The fines vary from state to state, but are often based on the speed above the speed limit. For example, 1 mph above speed limit = $3, 2 mph = $4, 3 mph = $5, 10 mph = $20, 20 mph = $100. Other states are just a flat rate. And yes, they can, and do stop you for 1 mph over the speed limit to collect their $3. Many people there simply see it as a driving tax, and, because there's no points system, no-one's really that bothered, and don't usually argue, although you do have the right to go to court to contest it. Very many people have road angels or equivalents, even though I think they are banned in some states.

Most roads are reasonably well signposted with speed limits (None of this street lamp nonsense), but a 55 mph limit is usually the maximum on single carriageway out of town (Where town = 1 house in the middle of nowhere and out of means at least 5 miles away ).

Another strange thing I found. Here, the green man means you can walk across at lights relatively safely ("Ped Xings" in USA). There the illuminated "Walk" means that traffic going straight on is stopped, but traffic turning left and right can still go over the crossing - they just have to give way to pedestrians. So, if you are turning (Right on red, or left or right on green), beware of Pedestrians crossing. If you are walking, and the sign to cross the road says "Walk", take care of cars, because they don't always give way as they should. Some, incredibly, even drive round you (in front or behind) at high speed while you are still crossing. Very scary.

Finally, school buses. One law that almost all drivers obey. I think the punishment is incredibly severe - possibly even leading to a loss of driving licence (which to an American is almost equivalent to imprisonment). NEVER, EVER overtake a stopped one. If it's a yellow school bus and it's dropping children off or picking them up, you just have to wait. If it's not dropping children off or picking them up - you still have to wait! Only if it's parked, empty, and has no driver can you proceed with caution. This is rare. Best advice - wait. Then overtake recklessly on a blind bend at 110 mph so you don't get caught behind it again. At least that's what many seem to do.

The lanes there are very wide, and there are often several of them so that's quite nice, and out of the major cities the traffic density is much lower, but....

The driving standard is generally much lower
The law allows overtaking on either side
Drivers change lane at will with no rhyme or reason
Drivers drive much longer distances and often drive very tired
Drunk driver punishments are similar, but apparently are not as well enforced, so there are (relatively a lot of drunk (and drugged) driver's on the roads, especially at night.

i have done quite a lot of driving state side,
do not drive in a lane which is high occupancy found in rushhour florida the various agencies will fine heavilly
if you see your exit on interstate or freeway for eg i mile it will be, and there are no 200 150 100 its just there....
.some cars have flashing red idicators but its got better...usual yellow.
i have always had an auto with a stick shift as opposed to selector on wheel.last one was a 3litre neon very sluggish ....
the warning bells in the car for seat belts,doors, keys, lights&anything else they think of will drive you mad it did me
all in all i did long distances with out being intimidated.enjoyed it immensly and will do it again
i hope you enjoy it as much as i did

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Audere Est Facere.....To Dare Is To Do