Important Safety Tips for Driving in America

• By: Editor
• On: 09/Apr/2009
• In: USA Travel Tips

Road Safety Tips…

Left and Right Overtaking
Remember that on most roads that have multi lanes you can overtake on both the left and right. Remember that when you want to change your lane, indicate your intention immediately.

Expressway Exit Lanes
Remember that lanes on either side on freeways and expressways may be Exit Lanes. If you are going straight through on a freeway make sure you stay in the middle lane, as you will come across a sign to exit otherwise.

Taking a Left Turn at a Junction
Give way to ALL oncoming traffic before you turn left at a junction. Only if you see a "Green Arrow" at a junction do you have the right of way in this case. Presence of a "Green Light" doesn’t!

Road Traffic that joins Expressways
One of the road behaviour habits in the USA is that drivers that join onto expressways assume they will be left into gaps in the road traffic without coming to a stop. Please be aware of this on the roads!

Exit Markings on Expressways
On some motorways, particularly in the UK and Europe you will be used to warning signs counting down to when you are approaching an exit. These do not generally occur on US roads, so be careful!

School Buses
You are not permitted to overtake a school bus (yellow in colour) from any direction on a two way street when it is in a stationary position and the red lights are flashing.

Event of an Accident
In the unfortunate event of you being involved in an accident, remember that you MUST remain at the accident scene and call the Police, or wait until they arrive if someone else has contacted them.

Driving Safety Tips…

Seat Belts
Make sure you have your seat belt on at all times. This applies to front and rear passengers, and the provision of child safety seats/restraints is required. In some USA states, this is compulsory by law.

Car Headlights
Make sure for safe driving to have your dimmed headlamps on at dusk, in fog, and in rainy conditions. Take care on rainy roads – lack of proper awareness could cause loss of control.

Drink Driving
Many States have very strict drink-driving laws – so the message is, if you are going to take a drink, do not drive.

Route Planning
It is important to plan your route in the US before you set out, make note of what roads you will be taking. Invest in a good roadmap, and check the Internet for any more details you may require.

Lock the Doors of your Vehicle
Keep your doors and windows locked if you feel you should – at your own discretion. Lock any valuables in the boot of the car (known as the "trunk" in the USA!) If you are based in the same hotel or self catering apartment throughout the duration of your vacation, only take absolute essentials with you when you are travelling in your vehicle.

Find out more about Driving in America.

These are some some very important safety pointers to bear in mind before you hit the road in America.  In such a huge country like the USA the best way to fully explore it is to hire a car to get around. Check out our Car Hire USA page.

Have you any tips for us regarding driving in the USA? Have you any information on the USA’s highway and road network or some of the things road travellers should know? Please let us know – we appreciate your comments!