Inside United States: Tips for driving in the US

If you are a first time visitor to the United States and are planning to rent a car during your visit, there are some driving rules you might not be aware of and the penalties for disobedience can be severe sometimes.

•  Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the controls on your hire car. If you are from Europe you may find that many of the controls are on or around the steering wheel and not on the dash. You don't want the radio on full volume instead of the wipers when its raining. Some states require lights when its raining so find that switch too. (Even when it's sunny.)
  
• Did you know that you are supposed to stop in BOTH directions for any school bus with flashing lights? This rule is strictly enforced in every state and the penalties can be severe, not to mention the risk of running a kid over if you don't stop! If you live in the U.S. this is one of the most basic driving rules, but if you are a foreign traveler you may not be aware of it and that could get you into trouble.
• It should be obvious, but don't drink alcoholic beverages (or do drugs) and drive.  Make sure there is one in your party who is the "designated driver," who will not drink.   The courts are levying more and more severe penalties for drunken drivers.  Please don't be one of them.  N.B.  Do not have (or keep) any open bottles of alcohol, even beer, in the car.  If you are pulled over by a police officer or state trooper, the open bottles you will get a ticket, and may even be asked to get out of the car and take a breathalyzer test. 
• Pass only on the left.
• At a stop sign, drivers proceed in the order in which they have arrived at the intersection.  If there is a tie, the vehicle on your right has right of way; or the driver traveling straight if someone is turning on a headon approach. Remember, to actually bring your vehicle to a brief-but-complete halt for a moment at every stop sign.
• An indicated lower speed limit is generally in effect in front of schools when there are warning lights flashing on a sign. This rule is strictly enforced in every state.  Watch for kids, because they are everywhere .  Go slowly (25 mph) in neighborhoods.
• Another speed limit problem is how fast to go on major highways. The legal speed limit is posted on a sign and typically ranges from 55-75 miles per hour.  However, you will probably find that most people are exceeding the speed limit by 5 to 10 miles per hour.  5 miles per hour is safe, and will not be ticketed in any state, whereas exceeding the speed limit by 10 miles per hour may result in a ticket in some areas.  Generally, on roadways in the USA the leftmost lanes are considered to be the "fast" lanes and the rightmost lanes are considered to be the "slow" lanes; therefore, if you desire to drive at the posted speed limit, drive in the rightmost lane.
• Watch for lanes on the freeway which have a diamond shape painted on the pavement.  Generally found in urban areas, these lanes are disignated for "car pools", and thusly should only be used by vehicles containing two or more people.
• In most areas, cars already in a rotary (or traffic circle as it is known in different parts of the country) have the right of way.
• You must stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk.  Crosswalks are implied at four-way intersections.
• Making right turns on red signals after stopping (and ensuring the path is clear of pedestrians and oncoming traffic) is generally allowed, unless there is a specific restriction posted at the intersection.  Some areas will allow you to make a left turn on red going from a one-way street onto another one-way street.  (Note:  There is no "Right on Red" in New York City.) 
• In urban areas, be careful not to block intersections (with or without traffic lights) when traffic backs up.  This is called "blocking the box" and if there is a police officer around, you will get a ticket.
• Exert great caution if you find yourself in a situation with an angry, "kooky" driver.  If someone is tailgaiting you, just let them pass.  DO NOT purposely slow up, then go fast, then slow up again, to annoy them.  This may incite an incident of "road rage" -- which isn't safe for you, anyone in your car, or anyone around.
• Make sure to always have your license and proof of auto insurance.
• Most gas stations require you to pay before filling up--even if no sign is displayed.
• Plan your journey.  Route numbers and final destination signs are different from the signs you see across Europe.
• If you get lost, park in a shopping area or rest stop.  You will usually see some signs to get you back on track.  People will usually be eager to help.
• Be aware of road signs that require you to put on the vehicles lights during daylight.

There are variations depending on the municipality you are visiting; you are strongly encouraged to review the traffic laws of each for your personal safety as well as that of other drivers.

Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Thunderstorms, etc.

Earthquakes

You can check out the latest earthquakes in the US in the past 7 days at this website: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/r...

If you're driving and notice there's an earthquake (it has to be quite big for a driver to notice), your car may feel like its tires have gone flat. Pull over, but away from anything that could fall on you.  Afterwards, drive much slower (so you can stop in time) and keep your eyes open on the road ahead of you--bridges may be out, bridge sections may be out, etc.  This is one of the biggest threats and endangers many people.  

As a general rule, there's always the juggle of speed and safety.  Try not to loiter around anything that could fall on you.  As we've all learned in driving school, always know your "way out."

Tornadoes

Every state is at some risk for tornado damage, but states in "Tornado Alley" (Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas) have the highest risk. Tornadoes can form any time of the year, but the typical season runs from March to August.

Folklore also used to advise that if you are driving and a tornado is suspected or sighted, you should turn and drive at right angles to the storm. This advice is not recommended because tornadoes do not necessarily travel in straight lines; you cannot always tell the direction the storm is coming from; the road you turn onto may curve and head into the storm, rather than away from it; and there may be more than one tornado associated with a strong storm system, but you may not see it because visibility is diminished by heavy rain and wind-blown debris. The safest thing to do is go to a nearby sturdy building and go inside to an area on the lowest level, without windows. If a sturdy building is not available, then get out of the vehicle and lay down in a low spot on the ground not subject to flooding, protecting the head and neck.

What to Do While Driving During a Thunderstorm and Heavy Rain

• Pull safely onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from any trees or other tall objects that could fall on the vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rains subside. Heavy rains produced by thunderstorms can greatly reduce visibility. Vehicles will provide better protection from lightning than being out in the open. Emergency flashers will alert other drivers with limited visibility that you have stopped. Keep car windows closed.

• Avoid contact with metal or conducting surfaces outside or inside the vehicle. Lightning that strikes nearby can travel through wet ground to your car. The steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal. Rubber tires provide no protection from lightning. Avoid contact with potential conductors to reduce your chance of being shocked. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.

• Avoid flooded roadways. Most flood fatalities are caused by people attempting to drive through water, or people playing in high water. The depth of water is not always obvious. The roadbed may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped. Rapidly rising water may stall the engine, engulf the vehicle and its occupants, and sweep them away. Look out for flooding at highway dips, bridges, and low areas. Two feet of water will carry away most automobiles.