Tips for Driving In USA

Road Rules

Traffic
• Drive on the right. This will feel unnatural to many drivers from European countries, so take it slow.

• 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.

• Ask ahead about toll roads, 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.

• America is famous for its interstate highways. Prepare 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.

Signs
Most of the traffic signs used in America will either look familiar to you, or seem intuitive. Visit DiscoverAbroad.com for a quick look at some of the more common signs you'll encounter.

Parking

Parking regulations are varied and nuanced across the 50 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 London or Paris. Check the posted signage for limitations, which can include zoning restrictions, scheduled street-sweeping, snow emergency routes, and reservations for nearby places of business.

Tickets

Many American cities are incorporating traffic cameras into their oversight programs. Speeding and parking are common sources of ticketing, and driving while intoxicated (DWI) is illegal across the country. Different states carry different thresholds, so be smart and either stay sober or take a cab home.
Unpaid tickets can follow you home, typically.

Emergencies

In the event of a breakdown, an accident, or a medical emergency, have your important contact numbers at hand. You never know when you might need to call your insurance providers, your consulate or embassy, or the local authorites. Across America, 911 is the universal emergency phone number. If you need an ambulance, a fire engine, or the police, this is the number to call.