I'm off to Phoenix in a little over two weeks for six months and while I'm out there I'll have the use of a car (though I need to sort out my driving license first - I filled out the forms and stuck the photo on, then missed the white box with my signature... oops).
Anyway, I've never driven on the "wrong" side of the road before. I'm hoping that sitting on the left will make it pretty easy and all that's really needed is extra care when making turns from sideroads, but is there any advice more experienced drivers can offer which I can take on board?
Anything general about driving over there / dealing with the police / parking / freeways / speed limits / etc will all be welcome.
Cheers,
David.
|
you'll be surprised how quickly you get used to it just concentrate hard for the first couple of weeks and it should become second nature.
one bonus is they dont do roundabouts in the states (so ive heard) which is easier when driving on the right
as for the dealing with the police just remeber if your stopped stay in the vehicle dont get out unless instructed to do so.....they have guns!!!!
Edited by welshlad on 05/05/2008 at 08:49
|
|
You'll probably be driving an automatic. Don,t exceed speed limits, i nearly got caught out after re-fuelling and nearly startied driving on the left! On reaching junctions STOP, don't just slow down,always carry ID.
|
Watch out for overtaking both sides, its ok over there.
You can turn R on a red traffic light at many junctions.
Keep some cash in the car for tolls,
If you have your wipers on you must have your lights on,
Watch those speed limits,
You can wait ages for lights to turn so be patient.
Theres not much to worry about really but check the State traffic laws to be on the safe side.
|
|
If you do a Forum search you'll find plenty of stuff over the years on here.
|
|
|
|
'Maltrap' covers the bases well. I reckon I've probably driven about 15K miles in the US over the past 25 years. Only once came close to having a bump, when I pulled up at a set of lights, and the guy behind me chatting on his 'cell-phone' (not 'mobile' over there!), almost didn't!
Driving on the right comes very quickly, and is usually helped by the fact that everyone else is doing the same. Must echo the two key points that Maltrap makes. Stop signs are stop signs, not 'Give way'. If a police officer sees you failing to come to a complete standstill, he will ticket you. Also note the protocol at '4-way stops'. Everyone must stop, and right to procede is based on who stopped first.
Also re. speedlimits, they will drop to 45 > 35 > 25 as you enter a town. You will often see a patrol car sitting in off the road just beyond the sign where the speed limit drops. You know why they are there! You need to have reduced your speed before reaching the sign, not after you pass it, or again, you will get a ticket.
I have only ever once been pulled over in the US, and it was for missing a drop from 35 to 25, and I was actually doing 30. At that time, I held a US driver's licence (now expired - they need to be renewed every 4 years). However, without thinking, I actually produced my UK licence, and was told that "although British speed limits may be 30mph, their's was 25". I think I escaped a ticket, because of the additional work involved in filling out the paperwork for a non-US licence.
Anyway, keep your wits about you, and enjoy your time in Arizona.
Edited by drivewell on 05/05/2008 at 10:29
|
|
|
|
|
1) Absolutely the most dangerous time for a leftie driving on the right anywhere, is when you pull out of a car park on to the carriageway, especially at night. Instinct will direct you to the left, especially if the road is empty - this is very important to remember, it can obviously be fatal.
2) They do have 'traffic circles' in the States, but are no problem.
3) When or if you are stopped by the law, keep your hands in view, no sudden moves and be polite, and that applies generally.
4) Avoid eye contact with doubtful strangers, and you will meet a few, and avoid discussions. A lot of Americans have guns in the glove box remember.
Your other points are common sense, have a good trip, but please remember point 1).
Cheers
Bill
|
Good advice above.
I'd just add go out and practice your driving over there in ever increasing circles so you start with where you're familiar and gradually expand, learning all the time.
Pay attention to their signs. They're different to ours (obviously) but may be telling you about, eg, different styles of junctions.
Drive as they do. Traffic tends to move slowly from junction to junction in urban areas.
Don't stop to ask directions anywhere you think you'd feel uncomfortable on foot.
Enjoy.
|
Driving on the right is not a problem.
American drivers are much like others: two-thirds half-witted mimsers, the rest more or less all right, small proportion of Dukes of Hazzard but you can see and hear them coming. Mimsing is generally approved by national and state governments and most middle-class Americans, so tends to be enforced by law, although no more efficiently than here. But it pays to be cautious in an unfamiliar environment.
The cars are getting more European but generally speaking are thirstier, slower and worse handling in US spec. You will have a hard time finding anything nice to drive unless you have spare money.
There's a lot of space in America and it is geared to suit motorists. Long distance car travel is very trouble-free and quite cheap too. Truck stops (especially in the South West where you will be) are agreeable and have good, sometimes very good - I still remember the real chopped beef in the chili con carne in Amarillo, Texas, after 25 years - junk food.
|
Lud, what exactly is a mimser?
OP you will be fine driving in the USA. I loved it when I went, the desert scenery is fantastic huge cactii, like in the cowboy films!
|
what exactly is a mimser?
A person who drives slowly, badly and unpredictably enough to threaten the free flow of car and lorry traffic.
I can only agree about the scenery in the far West, indeed all over the US. The 'big sky' needs to be seen. It's different from the African one too.
Edited by Lud on 05/05/2008 at 15:33
|
Not driving but on cultural differences.
I relish the moment in The Great Escape when the Yanks invite everyone to drink some illicit hooch they've made out of potato peelings or somesuch.
The Senior British Officer is standing next to the Steve McQueen character, drinking. He's stuck for something to say.
After much thought he turns to McQueen and asks: How are you getting on over there without us, now?
|
|
Ah, the Hollywood version of reality. No Americans actually escaped from Colditz, but then Hollywood never lets a few trivialities get in the way of a remake:)
|
|
|
Is there a US equivalent of our Highway code booklet, that we can swot up on signs and tips; and the like before we go?
If so, can it be bought over here?
|
Is there a US equivalent of our Highway code booklet ..
The name is "driver handbook". Eg. for California, it is California Driver Handbook
Go here and select the state you are interested in visiting:
www.usa.gov/Topics/Motor_Vehicles.shtml
The link for California from there leads to
www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm
You can try google for these terms, plus name of state: usa driver handbook
|
|
|
Is there a US equivalent of our Highway code booklet that we can swot up on signs and tips; and the like before we go? If so can it be bought over here?
Each state has its own. For instance google Illinois Rules of the Road I believe it's called.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anything general about driving over there / dealing with the police / parking / freeways / speed limits / etc will all be welcome.
All I can add to the excellent advice on this thread so far is if you see a sign on a motorway exit which says "Max Speed 15 MPH" or similar, *They're Not Kidding*
You'll likely find yourself in a hairpin bend or something. Especially on older motorways where they've shoehorned the exit in.
As for the police, if you do get stopped, especially at night, turn on the interior light, you and your passengers sit still, and keep your hands where he can see them, until he's had a chance to assess you.
Other than that, have fun.... driving here is excellent and most things are organised around the convenience of the motorist.
|
Americans are usually hospitable to strangers and often amusing and informative about local conditions. However the deadpan graveyard humour of Arizona, New Mexico and Texan locals talking among themselves, perhaps especially in front of strangers, can take a bit of getting used to, if you are lucky enough to experience it that is.
Do keep us posted on your two-lane blacktop (or in those parts quite often dirt roads if you wander far and wide) adventures DH.
|
Do try to avoid any generic/franchise/national chain type eateries when travelling - I made the mistake of looking for a 'familiar' name when the munchies struck in S.W Arizona. For hearty travelling fayre a good tip is to look for the most trucks stopped - usually owner-run & offer good value. I had breakfast next to a honcho packing 2 revolvers (wild west type) in a belt holster - turned out to be a charming fellow though!
|
I can recommend reading America Unchained by Dave Gorman. Not much of guide, but might tell you what NOT to do.
www.davegorman.com/
|
If you have a hire car, it should have the local states version of their highway code - have a read, it will have local rules for things like being able to turn right at red lights or not.
Do not overtake a school bus (yellow) when it's hazards are flashing.
Do not joke with cops.
My biggest driving problem was after driving over there for 6 months and coming home, relaxing and then driving on the wrong side of the road at home. It took a few days to get over that.
|
Until you settle in:
1. Take your time.
2. Double think every manouvre.
3. Get a decent map.
4. If you miss your junction on their motorways they dont have roundabouts where you can come off at the next exit and go back . So plan with the map.
5. Loose change for tolls.
|
Generally people drive more sedately. The only exception I've found is on crowded urban expressways eg Route 101 around San Francisco and the routes down through the bronx and brooklyn towards Manhattan when they tailgate really badly and weave from lane to lane.
In rural areas keep your petrol above a half. Distances can be long and US fuel economy can be quite poor eg on a large auto minivan and rural petrol stations can close up by 6pm, particularly on non interstate roads. turning off interstates can be a good way of seeing back country america. Often such roads are on a grid and therefore you can go the "along one, down one, along a few, down a few" to get towards a destination that is more of a diagonal.
Do only park on a street on the right side. Crossing the road to park facing the "wrong" way can get you a ticket.
Give way to pedestrians stepping across minor junctions.
There are alot more traffic cops than here and they're visible. I don't think they actually exist in the UK in the same way. if they do pull you over as others have said do not be tempted in any way to get out of the car or flap about.
Be careful around school emptying time eg in afternoons. lots of yellow buses on the road and when it stops so does both directions of traffic on single carriageway roads. Transgressing this is an instant fine and perhaps worse.
Do check carefully when parking in the evening that whereever you park is a legitimate place - lots of places with big parking lots near restaurant/eating areas will have attendants who will tow you away for parking in their lot - so no parking in the equivalent of B&Q thinking nobody will notice you pop over the road to a restaurant.
|
|
I got stopped for speeding in New York State in 1995. Mrs P's cut glass accent and her Gwyneth Partlow looks got us off a very hefty fine I feel. :-)
|
You'll love it and have a great time!
In general Brits are welcomed, they'll be curious [they'll only have heard of London and Blair/Thatcher].
Non stop sun there so have your D&G's ready; have water to drink in the car so you can cover the distances.
Second the points about re-starting out after filling up/car parks etc. - that's when you forget to stay "right". They don't do roundabouts, so no issues on them!
|
>>They don't do roundabouts, so no issues on them!
As previously stated they DO DO roundabouts but possibly not where OP is going.
Just try a Google search of images for US roundabouts
e.g try lovell.com.au/trip/03.htm and scroll down past lots of images to "Someone told us America doesn't have roundabouts"
As previously stated look up previous postings. There is more info to read.
|
|
I got stopped for speeding in New York State in 1995. Mrs P's cut glass accent and her Gwyneth Partlow looks got us off a very hefty fine I feel. :-)
wondered where my ex went....:-)
|
|
What I was wondering was whether 'Partlow' was a slightly improper joke or just PU's sausage-like digits coming down on the keys in the wrong order as usual... I mean no disrespect, he cringed in a Woody Allen accent...
|
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I found the Arizona driver's handbook and it's actually surprisingly helpful - even including tips on how to negotiate roundabouts... ;-)
I'm heading out with a group of 24 other people, and we have access to a pool of cars. I think there are a few Ford Explorers, and the rest are Kia something-or-others. I'm fairly lucky to be able to drive them, there have been so many accidents by students out there (the next generation of airline pilots, which is a bit worrying...) that they're having a nightmare getting fleet insurance and no-one under 21 is covered.
|
|
|
|
"Watch out for overtaking both sides, its ok over there"
Actually it is not allowed - but you could be forgiven for thinking it is allowed as it is widespread.
In fact IMO that is the worse thing about driving in the USA.
If you are in the outside lane in a queue of vehicles overtaking a truck, and are more than a couple of car lengths from the car in front, you will be 'undertaken' and that space filled.
To prevent this tailgating(at speed) is endemic.
Some States now ban hand held cell phone use whilst driving - most don't.
|
Watch out for vehicle checks at State borders. We had to drive slowly though a darkened car park entering Nevada while torches were shone in. Big queues also built up while returning to California. Inspecting for illegal agricultural produce I deduced.
Carry plenty of water- you will need it.
Do not stick to the inside lanes of greater LA freeways if you want to go straight on.
They rapidly change to slip roads.
|
|
|
|
