driving in america?

Question

any special hazards to look out. for going soon and thought someone could give me a brief introduction to driving . cheers

Answer 1

Well if you already know HOW to drive, it's going to be okay. Someone told me to always remember, no matter what part of the world you are in, the driver is always closest to the yellow line. That being said, the best driver is a defensive driver, look out for those idiots who are not.

Also I include a link for defensive driving course on-line. It is only $25 and is a great refresher on the rules of the road. This website will also help you get familiar with the different sign shapes and colors, and their meanings. I'm sure the signs are different wherever you are from. When you know these rules, you can better predict how drivers are going to act AND you are a more predictable driver to others. When I took this course to have a speeding ticket dropped from my record, I had already been driving for 10 years. A lot of the information is common sense, but a lot of it made me a BETTER driver. Now when others don't follow the rules, I see it, and stay clear of them.

Anyway hope this link can help you out.
http://www.defensivedriving.com/ddo/

Answer 2

Well, in America we drive on the right side of the road. There are things called pot holes in the roads. They look a bit like a meteor hit and left HUGE ruts. You could very well lose your suspension in one. Dodge these at all costs!

There are things called red or pink license plates. These are given to drivers who have violations called DUIs. DUI = driving under the influence. Just because they have these plates does not stop the driver from continuing to drink and drive or do illegal drugs and drive. Watch out for these people. They are dangerous!

The speed limits are a set maximum that you are permitted to drive. Just because they set this speed does not mean people obey. Just stay to the farthest right lane while driving. The other lane is for those people that have no clue how to remove their foot from the gas pedal.

We also have lots of warning signs. Some say "soft shoulder", "watch for falling rocks", and there is one that even shows a deer. All of these signs are yellow and mean "beware, there is a possible danger." Deer are a terrible hazard in America and can really ruin a good road trip. Just be alert to anything when you see these types of signs.

As for the law enforcement, they like to set up speed traps. So, like I mentioned before, stay within the speed limit of no more then 5 miles over and you will do fine.

There is also a lot of construction on America's roadways. Seems our department of transportation (DOT) hasn't perfected the paving material enough to make it hold up for more than a year. If you have an idea of where you are going, you can search that area's DOT website. They will usually have a list of construction zones and the dates that these zones will be in effect.

Have a great time and enjoy the sights! Nothing like driving in America!!

Answer 3

People are nuts. Try to stay out of rush hour traffic. Lots of construction going on right now you may want to look up the department of transportation websites in the state you are going thru and see if you can avoid some major ones. Watch out for speed traps. Some towns the speed limit drops quickly - the cops are hoping to get money from speeding tickets.

Answer 4

Biggest hazard I was saw teenage girls gobbing off on their mobile phones whilst at the wheel of huge 4 wheel drive trucks.

At first you think it's cool because everybody drives really slow and the lanes are very wide. But you will find that most of them have little or no anticipation and they do not seem too aware of what's going on around them.

Answer 5

Just watch out for the dimwits that are out there and keep your cool. There are no special hazards in America for driving that don't occur in other countries also.

Answer 6

Well, depending on where you're from, remember we drive on the right. Virtually all rental cars have automatic transmissions & most foreigners are most amazed by the size of vehicles (Pickup trucks, SUV's & Minivans) that typical Americans drive, so that they always feel they're driving in a ditch.

Answer 7

Since you posted this under Orlando I assume you are going to Florida? In that case remember you can make a right turn on a red light - providing there is nobody else coming to their green light, ofcourse.

And the sígns Ped Xing are not for Klingons, they warn for a pedestrian crossing.

Answer 8

pretty straight forward. Strict drinking driving laws. 1-2AM is the most dangerous time to be on the road because the bars are letting out. We really for the most part have a great highway systems.

Have fun while you are here!

Answer 9

It says Orlando on the question, so if that's where you're driving you won't have much trouble. If you're from the UK it will be kind of hard getting used to driving on the right side, but Orlando doesn't have that bad of traffic.

Answer 10

Watch for Bigfoot if you're driving in Washington State. I saw him in Battleground just south of Mt. St. Helens. No joke. Nearly ran my car off the road in his damn SUV.