Driving Abroad - Driving in the USA
Thousands of UK citizens this year will book a holiday somewhere in the United States of America. The USA has long been one of the most popular worldwide holiday destinations. Anyone who has ever travelled to the USA will know that the distance involved in travelling between cites dictates the need for a rental car, especially in you have children. Who wants to sit on a greyhound bus for six hours with three kids? When a hire car would be both quicker and probably more cost efficient after spending the money on five separate bus fares. With this in mind this article will outline a few tips when driving in the USA.
Speed Limits - Speed limits in the USA can vary dramatically so make sure that you know the speed limit of the road that you are travelling on. Limits can drop as low as 15mph in some built up areas and can change frequently along one stretch of road. Police radar traps are very common in the States and fines can be high so stay vidulent.
Stop Signs - Stop signs are commonly used all over the United states at junctions in the place of traffic signals. At a busy stop sign junction it can be very daunting for a foreign driver who has a limited experience of stop signs on UK roads. The basic rules to follow are that you must come to a complete standstill at a stop sign even if the way is clear. When using a four way stop sign junction the first driver to arrive at the junction has priority followed by the other drivers in turn. Once you have encountered a few of these junctions it is easy to navigate future junctions.
Traffic Signals - When using junctions fitted with traffic signals in the USA be aware that you are permitted to turn right when faced with a red light if the way is clear.
Car Crime - Be aware that car crime in the States is significantly higher than in the UK. Some cars are fitted with anti car jacking devices which range from automatic locking doors when the engine is started and keys that lock into the ignition. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with these devices before moving off. Be aware of your surroundings and stay away from problem areas especially at night, use local knowledge to avoid these spots.
Alcohol - The USA has very strict laws about drink driving. The maximum blood alcohol level is very low so be careful not to exceed this when driving as penalties are very severe. To be safe steer clear of alcohol when driving, even with a meal.
Road Types - Be sure to familiarise yourself with the types of road you will be travelling on before setting foot in a vehicle. The roads in the states are significantly larger than those in the UK, with some freeways boasting 12 lanes it can be very intimidating.
Car Insurance - With the American legal system being prayed upon by individuals issuing law suits for motoring accidents be sure that you have sufficient car insurance. Read the insurance notes carefully when picking up the car and take out any additional car insurance you need to protect yourself. The car hire companies usually supply many different motor insurance policies to cater for all needs and budgets. Also be aware that car insurance for persons under the age of 25 can be hard if not impossible to get from car rental companies and often comes at an inflated price.
Time - Make sure that you plan your routes before travelling and leave plenty of time to find road exits on busy free ways. Pay attention to the green information signs, which tell you about lane positioning for different exits. Also be aware not to sit in the inside lane as they are often marked yellow for exit lanes, exiting the freeway at the wrong place can lead to getting lost.
By following the few simple guidelines in this article hiring a car in the USA can be a very enjoyable experience and can save you money compared to paying for the whole family to use public transport.
