Comments on: 10 Things for Brits to Know Before Hitting the U.S. Roadways

By: Josie

Josie — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 02:27:00 +0000

Hazards are blinkers, flashers get arrested.

By: Bill Thompson

Bill Thompson — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Although it would seem that Mr Bartlett thinks there are but two cities in the U.S., there are actually several others between L.A. and New York. Visiting Brits might need to know that.

By: So You Want to Marry an American… | Mind The Gap | BBC America

So You Want to Marry an American… | Mind The Gap | BBC America — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:31:09 +0000

[...] swim, ski, surf, dive or mountain climb, so why go anywhere else? I’ve never gotten over the way Americans are happy to drive for hours – even days – at the drop of a hat, and you can imagine how long train journeys can be. One of [...]

By: Jacqueline O Moleski

Jacqueline O Moleski — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:18:00 +0000

Hire in Britain means “rent”. Hire in the US refers to a person (a mgr hires new employees). In the US you RENT a car(or any object/noun – apt, a movie, a carpet cleaner, etc). BUT it’s correct, you have to be over 25 or over 21 to rent a car. I remember, because I couldn’t rent one when I was in college.

By: Jacqueline O Moleski

Jacqueline O Moleski — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:12:00 +0000

4 — once a semi truck safely can pass you on an expressway (highway) blink your headlights. This let’s them know they can head over into your lane. Most nice, experienced truck drivers will then blink there lights to say “thanks” once they are over. This isn’t required of course, but it’s nice.

By: Jacqueline O Moleski

Jacqueline O Moleski — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:10:00 +0000

Nope — the outside lane is called the passing lane for a REASON. Technically, passing on the right is illegal – but it does happen all the time.

By: Jacqueline O Moleski

Jacqueline O Moleski — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:06:00 +0000

Likewise, when driving cross-country (state-to-state or between major cities like Detroit & Chicago) on the Interstate expressway system ALWAYS know three things: 1. the highway number, 2. which direction you are going on the highway (N/S/E/W) 3. Major cities between where you are and where you are going. This may sound like a no brainer but expressway driving means “miles and miles of miles and miles” and it all looks the same. When you pull off to an easy off/on exit to get gas and/or food – you need to know all three to make sure you get back on the expressway going the way you want to go. The signs might just say “Detroit” and “Chicago” with no directions for example. Or, conversely, “94 East”/”94 West”. While driving cross-country the best place to stop to use the restroom (or loo) is a fast food restaurant – they are EVERYWHERE, the rest rooms are clean, and along major inter-states it’s expected; much safer and cleaner than gas stations.

By: Jacqueline O Moleski

Jacqueline O Moleski — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:56:00 +0000

Very good point. Some cities have outlawed talking on cell phones (mobiles) while driving such as Chicago. The best thing to do is contact the state tourism bureau of whatever state you will be visiting or living in. Get a state map (they are free, but you might have to pay postage if you need it mailed) the state map will point out all the local driving laws that very from general US driving laws. Remember in the US, technically there are no “national” laws on driving, everything to do with driving a car (driver’s license, car license, insurance, etc) is handled by the individual state. Yes, once you have a driver’s license from any state you can drive in any state, but watch for local changes. Oh, and in some states car insurance is MANDATORY – if you are caught without proof of insurance in the car – you’ll get a ticket and a fine.

By: Jacqueline O Moleski

Jacqueline O Moleski — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:47:00 +0000

Please note — most of this article refers to CALIFORNIA – other states have other rules. Michigan for example simply doesn’t *have* a DMV (Licenses come from the Secretary of State’s office). Note also – though speed limits might seem low (55mph on divided highways, 70mph on expressways, 25-30 on city streets) “speeding” is common – keeping with traffic flow is the safest bet. Do NOT ever be the fastest or slowest car on the road – that way lies tickets (infractions) and even accidents. NEVER speed in a school zone – that way also lies tickets and it’s dangerous. ALWAYS stop for (red) traffic lights, stop signs, and flashing lights at train tracks. Be careful in deer season, an 80 lb animal hitting your car *can and does* cause a lot of damage. Deer are common throughout the Northern US.

By: expatmum

expatmum — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:49:00 +0000

I would add (about driving on freeways) that they rarely put the name of the suburb or town you’re trying to get to, so as MH says, you really need to know the exit number and the name of the street. (At least in Chicago – you can drive straight past the burbs without ever realizing it.)
You can also be happily driving along and come to a complete fork with no clear indication of where you should be driving. It might give the name of a city hundreds of miles away (like Memphis as you’re driving south out of Chicago). You need to know which freeways you’ll be taking for the whole of your journey, and if in doubt, stray straight.