Traffic rules in the USA
The United States is a motorized country around the world. Americans cannot imagine their lives without cars. There are cities in America where there is no public transportation, as almost every family has a couple of cars. The US government has created all the conditions for drivers of vehicles.
Many people think that American Roads is like an open book. Drivers of all nationalities can easily understand the rules of the road in the United States, as there are tips on all sections of the road. What does any immigrant who wants to drive a car in America need to know?
The most important differences from our rules in the United States
Let’s start from the beginning. The marking lines that divide the oncoming flow of machines are painted yellow. This color is often used to mark the edge of the roadway.
In the United States, yellow on the roads is superior to any other color. On the roadside is a white line. Instead of road markings, there may be reflectors of a similar color. In some states, there are backup road lines, which are indicated by dotted lines. They can not go in a straight line, but it is allowed to turn left and leave the yard.
At the “STOP” sign it is necessary to stop the vehicle completely, even in the absence of any approaching cars.
The car can overtake another car through a yellow dashed line, and this is also allowed for one solid line. However, additional safety precautions must be taken. Double solids in the countries of the former CIS and the United States have equal force.
American traffic rules allow you to cross solid and double solid when you need to get into the yard and alleys. It is definitely not possible to cross only four solid lines.
As for road signs, in America they are mostly text, less symbolic.
In the United States, it is allowed to turn right at a red traffic light when there is no prohibition sign. In this case, pedestrians will have an advantage over the driver. The only exception is New York, where turning right is allowed only at the appropriate traffic light.
The driver can turn left with a flashing green arrow if he misses oncoming traffic.
Parking spaces in the States have their own special colors that indicate the possibility of parking in a particular place. If the curb is painted blue, it is a parking space for the disabled. Only cars with a special sign can be parked there.
In America, it is forbidden to stop cars on the highway. Even if you run out of fuel, the police still have the right to fine the motorist and the tow truck that came after him will pay the violator.
The driver must stop the vehicle when he sees the police behind with the lights on. When stopping, the driver must not leave the car or get a license. Keep your hands on the wheel until a police officer arrives.
Information for drivers and vehicle owners in the United States
Drivers can be fined for various offenses, the amount of the fine depends on the states, the severity of the violation, and so on. Americans allocate the following fines:
– violating the speed limit, you will have to pay from 100 to 105 dollars multiplied by the number of miles exceeded;
– for improperly parked car, for example, in places for the disabled will be a fine of up to $ 250;
– if you drive at the wrong speed (very slow or fast, pass the “STOP” sign), the fine will be $ 350;
– if you go to a red light at an intersection, turn in the wrong place or commit such violations, you will have to pay up to $ 550;
– If the driver overtakes a school bus with the lights on, the fine will be from $ 700 and up.
It is also very important to distinguish the colors of the markings, because in the US there are as many as five. US traffic regulations state that the markings:
– white means permission for a short stop. For example, for disembarking passengers or loading and unloading luggage;
– green means permission to stop for a short time, this time is usually indicated on special plates;
– yellow means permission to stop for the period of loading and unloading. Local authorities set the time limit themselves; – blue means a parking permit for cars with special signs “disabled”;
– red forbids stopping near a certain place. For example, it can be found near the hydrant. It is strictly forbidden to leave the car in such a place, as you may block access to water that firefighters may need in the event of a fire.
The main provisions of traffic rules in the United States
Traffic rules in America in Russian can be found in many places, bookstores, driving schools, by mail and even online. As we will tell further, each state has the directory with provisions of traffic rules.
We will address this issue by looking at the Minnesota traffic rules. The collection of rules consists of 9 chapters.
The first section is called “Your Driver’s License”. It outlines basic definitions and terminology, classifies U.S. driver’s licenses, determines who should and should not have a driver’s license in the United States, and identifies identification, social security, and residence requirements. In addition, this section mentions the vision requirements required for passing the driving test, as well as the limitations and confirmations.
The second section “Your vehicle” deals with the standards of the car, its condition, the standard equipment of the vehicle and the requirements for the height of the bumper. Restrictions on the transportation of passengers or cargo, the ABC system and car licensing are also described.
The third section is entitled “Rules of the road and operation of the car.” It contains the basic rules that a driver needs to know when leaving the road by vehicle. It also tells how to drive a vehicle.
The fourth section, “Road Sharing,” says that there are a number of road users on the road: pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, school buses, trucks, and even golf cars. Each section describes the individual participant and its importance in road sharing.
The fifth section, entitled “Signs, signals and markings on the road”, provides a detailed description of retail traffic objects, the so-called “aids”: signals, signs, signs and signals at railway crossings, signs and signals on drawbridges and road markings.
The sixth chapter is called “Conditions for driving”. It emphasizes safe driving and everything that needs to be done to ensure safety for other road users. First of all, it is about seat belts, child protection, speed limits, cornering and parking.
Chapter 7 “Your Driver’s Privileges” discusses what can affect the revocation, suspension or revocation of a driver’s license, the factors that affect driving and accidents.
The eighth section of the Minnesota traffic rules was called “Driving in an inadequate condition.”
And the last more informative section “Handbook and alphabetical index”. Virtually all traffic rules in the United States have this chapter.
Tips for safe driving in the United States
1. All people in the car, including the driver, must wear seat belts. This rule should not be ignored, because according to American statistics of road accidents, passengers are more likely to survive with seat belts fastened. In addition, if you are stopped for this violation, you may be fined.
2. It is worth paying attention to parking on the slope. If the driver leaves the car on a slope, he must turn the front ears to the side. Failure to comply with this rule, which affects safety, may result in a driver’s fine.
3. Unregulated intersections are common in the States, mostly in small towns. Thus, in residential areas at the intersection not equipped with traffic lights, there are almost no signs of “Main Road” and “Give way”. The sign “STOP” is mainly used, which testifies to the right “whoever comes first, goes first”. So, when you approach the intersection, you need to make sure that all the cars that arrived before you have already left, only then will you be able to move on.
4. Do not forget that traffic lights for drivers are not in front of the intersection, but behind it. Many novice drivers and foreigners believe that you need to get to your traffic light and stop in front of it, but in this case there may be an accident. Also in the USA there are typical for us traffic lights which have 6 vertical light signals with various values.
Speed mode in the USA
Speed in the States is measured in miles per hour (1 mile equals about 1.6 km). In any settlement on a normal street, the speed is quite limited. For example, a speed limit of 25 mph has recently been introduced in New York. In other large cities and towns, the maximum speed is 35 miles per hour.
When it comes to highways, the situation there is completely different. In these locations, the maximum speed limit can increase to 85 mph or 136 km / h. However, in general, the maximum speed is 70-75 mph, which does not interfere with the comfortable movement of American roads.
Quite often due to the relief feature, the quality of roads or repairs, the speed limit can be limited to 35 mph. However, such a restriction is imposed in those areas where driving at high speeds can be dangerous.
Differences between states
The United States consists of 50 states, each considered a mini-state with its own laws, including traffic rules. The difference may be even in the middle of the state, for example, in New York the driver is allowed to turn right at a red traffic light, while in New York it is strictly prohibited.
We’ve talked about seat belts before. So, in different states the perpetrators are punished differently, in some states the driver of the vehicle is fined directly, in others they can fine unbuckled passengers if they are 21 years old.
Unusual traffic rules in the United States
In American traffic rules, there is the term Carpool, ie vehicles in which two or more passengers travel with the driver, and High Occupance Vehicle, ie passenger vehicles such as buses and others. For such cars on the highway there is a certain, mostly extreme left lane. It was named “CARPOOL LANE”.
Other vehicles cannot drive in this lane and are fined for violations. Thus, the state encourages the reduction of the number of cars on the roads through joint trips to work of spouses, colleagues and classmates, so that one car travels on the road instead of several. Such signs indicate the minimum number of people in one car to travel in these lanes.
For example, on California roads, drivers in hybrid or electric vehicles can travel in the CARPOOL lane, and any number of passengers is allowed. To avoid fines and misunderstandings, special stickers are attached to the signs.
Yes, the California government encourages citizens to switch to environmentally friendly vehicles. This lane can also be used by motorcyclists who have the right to move between lanes. CARPOOL stands out as a double solid yellow line with gaps for entry and exit.
Another unexpected rule in America is that police can fine drivers who violate speed limits if they believe the driver was traveling at a speed that did not meet the weather conditions, even though you may not have exceeded the proposed speed limit.
For example, if there is an official speed limit of 65 mph, then in rain, heavy fog and similar weather conditions, the officer may decide that the speed limit may not exceed 40 mph.
Tips and nuances in the United States
If you are just starting to ride on US roads, you should be careful and cautious about cyclists and motorcyclists. Cyclists generally need to pass or give way, and motorcyclists have the legal right to drive between cars on the road.
Pedestrians are another important road user. If you see a pedestrian near the crossings, you should always pass him. According to the unspoken rule, in an attractive manner you should slow down a bit in front of a zebra, even when there is no one near the road.
In America, the issue of children and schoolchildren is taken seriously when it comes to the road. There are special signs that warn of the possible presence of children on the roads in certain places. And school buses have the same priority rights as police and medical vehicles.
If you see a school bus in the United States with yellow flashing lights, you need to slow down because it will stop soon. After the final stop, the bus turns on the red lights, then you need to stand and wait until it continues to move and turn off the red headlights.
When you see a school bus in the opposite lane with a two-lane road stopped, you need to reduce your speed as students can cross the road. However, if the road is divided by lanes with specific barriers or there are two or more lanes in the same direction on the road, it is not necessary to stop next to the school bus on the opposite side.
If the driver sees an ambulance or a police car with flashing red and blue lights and a siren, then turn right onto the curb and stop. In case of such a situation at the intersection, you must pass it and then stop in the same order.
Conclusion
If you are going to the States as a tourist or for a long time, in any case you will need a driver’s license to be able to drive a car. It is best to learn the rules of the road in advance, especially the state where you plan to stay. The better you learn these rules, the less likely you are to meet the police and get safely from point A to point B.