Guides
on driving abroad some
of this information supplied from insurance4carhire.com
May 2009 it is presented on this site without responsibilty of jml Property Services
/ insurance4carrental.com and should not be relied on for accuracy
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Driving
in the USA | Driving
in Canada | Driving
in New Zealand
|Driving
in Australia
|Driving
in Europe (with
detailed country guides)| Driving
in South Africa
Driving
in the USA 
If
you’ve got time up your sleeve, hitting the open road is a wonderful way to take
in some of the USA’s most spectacular and diverse landscapes. Drivers here tend
to respect the road rules and their fellow drivers, which should make your trip
even more enjoyable.
Key
rules, regulations and things to know
Drive
on the right. And make sure you park to the right, so that you’re not facing traffic.
Stick
to the speed limit. Not only is it safer to do so, but it’s not unusual for Highway
Patrol to hide in bushes to catch speeding motorists unawares.
Plan
your route using road numbers and compass directions. In many cases, this is all
you’ll see on signs, rather than street or town names.
Watch
out for High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. They’re restricted to vehicles carrying
a minimum number of passengers. Penalties for using them illegally can be high.
You
can turn right at red traffic lights in most (not all!) states, unless signs tell
you otherwise. But you’ll need to come to a complete stop and ensure the road
is clear before you do so.
The
driver who gets to a junction first has right of way, unless traffic lights or
signs indicate otherwise. If two or more drivers arrive a junction at the same
time, give way to the right.
Pedestrians
at marked crossings have right of way. Driving over a pedestrian crossing if people
are already on it or waiting to cross is illegal.
Speeds
and distances on road signs appear in miles. Not kilometres.
Speed
limit minimums and maximums vary across the 50 states. Highway speeds can range
from 55 miles per hour to 75, while city driving and neighborhood traffic can
dip to 25 miles per hour or lower. Signs are posted in most populated areas, but
you can always ask your car rental agency or motor club about specific questions.
Don’t
park in the following places: disabled spaces (unless you’re authorised to do
so), in front of red or yellow kerbs, on a white line at a bus stop or within
10 feet either side of a fire hydrant.
Parking
regulations are varied across the states. Parking lots can be metered, carry a
flat fee, or come free to everyone. Streetside parking is common, but hard to
come by in the more populated cities. Parallel parking is also common, but not
nearly as common as you might be used to in other countries. Check the posted
signage for limitations, which can include zoning restrictions, scheduled street-sweeping,
snow emergency routes, and reservations for nearby places of business.
Seat
belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers at all times. And if you’re
travelling with a baby or young child, make sure they’re travelling in an approved
car or booster seat.
Don’t
drink and drive. Penalties for driving over the limit are harsh, so it’s best
to avoid alcohol completely if you’re driving. Limit is
80 mgs More
information Here
You
can overtake to the left or right on most multi-lane routes. This means your car
can be overtaken from the left or right, too.
Look
out for stationery school buses with flashing lights. It’s illegal to overtake
them.
Give
way to traffic joining expressways. It’s common practice in many states for drivers
to join expressways without stopping.
Know
when your exits are coming up on expressways. Unlike many other countries, there
are often no signs to warn you when you’re approaching an exit.
Exit
lanes on freeways and expressways can be on the left or right. If you want to
travel straight through, you’ll need to stay in the middle lane(s).
The
USA is famous for its interstate highways so be prepared for long, straight drives
across open country, interrupted by areas of dense urban traffic. Six- and eight-lane
highways can be nerveracking for drivers not accustomed to so much traffic, so
again, take it slow and stick to the slower lanes on the right. Interstate highways
that run north-south have odd numbers, while east-west highways carry even numbers
It
is a good idea to ask ahead about toll roads, these are often called "turnpikes."
Most issue tickets at your point of entry and assess the toll at your point of
exit, with the amount determined by your length of travel. Credit and debit cards
are accepted at some toll booths, but not all.
Road rules can change by state. So make sure you check the laws in your destination(s)
before you start your journey.
Further
Information:
USA.gov:
Tour the US . Official Government website.
Features tips for foreign drivers, links to individual state transport websites
and general information about travelling in the USA
Finally,
Don’t forget your car hire excess insurance and buy it before you set off
Drink Drive Laws - Examples of what can be drunk at present
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