Features rental, driving and traffic regulations in the United States of America. Fines, communication with the police, parking, road signs, navigation, attitude to alcohol in the United States.
The traffic rules in different states have their own characteristics, but for a comfortable journey it is enough to know the general provisions and the presentation. Distances are measured by miles, speed, respectively, in miles per hour.
Road signs. They are text. For example, turning right is denoted as a sign with the text No Turn Right and so on. Some sound specific – a dead end, for example designated as Dead End, and a crosswalk as Ped Xing (stylized short for pedestrian crossing).
Roads. They are of excellent quality with many interchanges, alternatives and conventions. Counter-directions outside the cities are divorced.
Navigator is needed, otherwise it is very easy to drive a few hundred miles, given the distance. Even-numbered roads numbered east-west (west-east), odd-numbered north-south (south-north).
Congresses from highways are numbered and marked on the map, the principle of numbering is usually tied to the distance (blink). Next to the number of the convention, the nearest large city to which this road leads is often written.
Compliance with traffic rules and fines. Speeding, fines and minor violations. Speed limits are regulated by signs indicating the speed in miles, for example, Speed Limit 55 means that the limit is 55 miles per hour. Excess is generally allowed at 10 miles per hour, this is due to the accuracy of the measuring device of the police. Can stop and 5 miles per hour above the limit, especially in residential areas.
The exception to this rule is motion in a stream. If there is a limit of 55 miles, and the stream travels at a speed of 90 miles, no police will stop and you even have to drive at the same speed without interfering on the highway.
The general rule – focus on the flow of cars. If you do not know how to behave on a particular stretch of road, also do like other drivers.
In California, motorcyclists are allowed to ride between the lanes, which they use during traffic jams, so you need to be careful while rebuilding in traffic jams so as not to knock down motorcyclists who are cutting zigzags between slow-moving cars. In other states it is forbidden!
Special bands. There is a strip, which is designated Carpool, on it can go cars in which two or more people and electric vehicles. Carpool or HOV (High Occupancy Lane) is in many states. Such dedicated lanes are usually marked with a diamond on the road or the inscription HOV. In addition, at the entrance to this lane is a sign indicating the minimum number of people in the car, which gives the right to enter it. In most cases, this is 2 people, but there are 3, so you need to be careful. The penalty for violation starts at $ 371.
The yellow marking is always to the left of the driver in the direction of travel. If it is on the right, then you are driving on an opposite.
Stops on the highways. It is impossible to stop on the highways, except for short stops, the emergency signal can be turned on, you can not turn it on. We always stopped for a photo, no problems, the police can stop and ask if there are any problems.
It is not necessary to turn on the low beam, but it is easier to turn on – this way you are more noticeable on the road. In the vast majority of cars, it turns on automatically.
Seat belts – the front passengers must be fastened, the passenger himself, not the driver, will pay fines for the seat belt.
Wherever we went, in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, huge fines for throwing garbage. As when driving and at stops – up to 10,000 US dollars. Do not do this. However, this is a general rule in their own country as well. Fines for speeding start at $ 200, for example in California.
It is strictly impossible to cross two double center lines – the so-called barrier, under any circumstances. One double axial cross in some cases is possible. Again, focus on other road users.
Allowed to turn on the red signal of the traffic light, as well as here, except for those places where there is a sign No Turn On Red.
In New York, turning right at the red light is prohibited, except for the places that are indicated by a permit sign.
Police. If they want to stop you, they will join you in the back and be announced over the loudspeaker, often just turn on the flasher. If the violation is serious – include all flashers and all audio signals. Overtake will not.
You do not need to leave when you stop. Quietly wait for the cops and open the front window. For minor violations, they simply warn you.
For tourists, the police is a bit softer, but not worth it. Alcohol. Alcohol is tough. The permissible level of 0.08% – a bottle of beer 0.33. Many ignore this rule and drink much more, from the clubs and bars, everyone is leaving in cars, while he is heavily drunk. The police just will not stop and most Americans use it.
It is forbidden to keep alcohol in the car, only in the trunk and only closed. Passengers are forbidden to drink alcohol in the car, even beer. Fines are big.
“… the police often patrol unmarked and take pictures of the perpetrators.
California Resident Comment:
“… a sobriety test – there are mobile checkpoints in popular entertainment districts, stop everyone, without exception, who is moving toward the checkpoint, assess the state visually through an open window, ask a couple of questions, and only if there are signs of serious intoxication ask to go out of the car and pass the test. Such checkpoints are visible from afar and, as a rule, there are no problems driving them round (if you are not so drunk to be overlooked). If they are recognized to be sober, then the total amount of fines, compulsory education in the program to combat by drinking and driving school, raising insurance premiums and paying lawyers’ services can easily exceed $ 10,000. For a tourist it’s better not to drink! ”
Photo registration of violations – there are quite a few cameras everywhere, but they are not used as intensively as in Europe. In California, there are no cameras that automatically register speeding and send photos and fines by mail. In other states, the situation is different – in 13 states they are prohibited by law, in 12 they are allowed and used, in the rest they are not used, but there are no laws prohibiting their use and they may appear in the future. Most cameras are used to check in the red light – they are in 24 states. Parking. In big cities, especially in the center – a motorist’s nightmare, especially a beginner – carefully watch and read the signs. Everything is written there, although in some cases there may be up to 10 plates on the sign at a time. Different conditions of parking on weekdays and weekends, during working hours and in the evening.
Lots of free parking places, but not in popular places or downtown. Near the attractions there is always parking, almost always paid, but there are exceptions. Parking price – from 1 dollar per hour. Underground and multi-level covered parking are much more expensive. Even locals can search for a parking space for about an hour or more. But it is rather an exception to the rule. Expensive parking can be found almost always.
In some cities it is better to do without a car, for example, in San Francisco, and in such as Los Angeles without a car anywhere. Toll roads. They are, but they are very few and you can not use them.
Picture Credit: sdnet01