Driving in the USA for the first time

[troppo]

Originally Posted by EgoFG

I thought "easy turn" and "Hard Turn" instead right and left.
(In Au left is easy, in USA right is easy)

After a while your brain switches over.

Interestingly when I remember the US driving now I was on the right hand side of the car !
Crazy brain !

I used to go out with a girl who got very confused between her left and right. One night after saying turn right here and ending up down a side street on the wrong side of the main road, we came up with a system of calling 'my way' or 'your way' for turns. 'My way' (with me being on the passenger side) meant a left turn and 'Your way' meaning a right turn. As the driver they swap, but it's natural to do when hearing directions.

Get used to that before you go, it will transfer over when you swap sides sitting in the car. As the driver 'my way' turns mean you are going across the oncoming lane and watch out for traffic, 'your way' turns mean hug the curb.

[alecrain]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

With right hand driving I found all was Ok except that roundabouts were hard to get used to....It was easy to go around the wrong way.

in US and A there are NO roundabouts.

Roads are straight with the exception of Hwy exits which will make you sick.

[alecrain]

I remember hearing why England (and some other countries like, Aus, that had english influences) drive on the left.

It all started in Middle Ages when during Jousting tournaments the riders would ride towards each other (separated by a long rail) holding "pikes".
They would ride on the right hand of the rail holding the pike in the right hand- aiming at the opponent who was to their left.

But one time there was this (very influential) prince or other royalty in england who was left handed, he made his opponents use their left hands to hold the pike and they had to ride on the left side of the rail......

after some time it became a norm that people started to use when passing other riders/ carriages on narrow passages.

[vanman_75]

Originally Posted by XA-Coupe

its not wierd, some people get no pay bar the tips, some people even pay to work in high class establishments due to the size of the tips. They have a huge amount of people to employ and this is one way to deal with it.

i know that and agree but a bit hard to work out what your gunna take home that is all, at least if your good at your job you get rewarded i guess

[Ben B]

We were in the US in 1992 but I never drove on that trip......and yes I regularly went to the wrong side of the car to get in.......

I remember when we had a transfer from New Orleans Airport to our hotel....the driver said to me "you sit in the front sir".....I went straight to what I thought was the passenger's door....DOH!
The driver politely said "the other side sir".... :

Ben

[troppo]

Originally Posted by alecrain

I remember hearing why England (and some other countries like, Aus, that had english influences) drive on the left.

It all started in Middle Ages when during Jousting tournaments the riders would ride towards each other (separated by a long rail) holding "pikes".
They would ride on the right hand of the rail holding the pike in the right hand- aiming at the opponent who was to their left.

But one time there was this (very influential) prince or other royalty in england who was left handed, he made his opponents use their left hands to hold the pike and they had to ride on the left side of the rail......

after some time it became a norm that people started to use when passing other riders/ carriages on narrow passages.

Pedantic I know, but for the sake of accuracy, it was a lance, not a pike. The pike is a member of the polearm class of weapons designed to be used by footsoldiers against a mounted enemy. Jousting sticks are used instead of lances in modern recreations with the aim being dislodging the opponent from their mount as opposed to impaling them.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by alecrain

in US and A there are NO roundabouts.

Roads are straight with the exception of Hwy exits which will make you sick.

US and A??? There are roundabouts here, just not nearly as many. But they are around (sorry about the pun)

Originally Posted by Ben B

I'd appeciate any advice on surviving driving on the other side.

Try walking on the right side too. Always pass on the right side, no matter if you are in the supermarket aisle, walking along a footpath, walking in the airport etc, then when you drive it will become easier. Keep right unless overtaking. 4 way stops, just stop and the order that cars get to them, they leave in that order (cars going in all 4 directions have to stop). Remember driving on the right, you follow the painted line to your left.

Then when you go back to Oz, consciously walk on the left of oncoming people to avoid bumping in to them, and to get your brain thinking left again. And be sure to follow the painted line to the right of the car.

[scoupedy]

Don't forget to drive in the states you need a 38 in the glove box
And the boot is a trunk and the bonnet is a hood

[pauly85]

the only problem i had driving in the states was when i turned into a multi level car park, with no lines on the ground and no arrows like most do down here,

i paniced when a car started coming towards me, its very easy to get confused when turning into streets/carparks etc

[hypnodoc]

Some simple rules I use driving over there. Always keep the passenger side closest to the kerb, and always hire a navman with the rental car

[bwhinnen]

Yeah it is a bit different, just remember to keep your side (the drivers side) to that edge of the lane like you do here. If you lose concentration you will find yourself drifting to the right. I give you a day and you'll be more comfortable on the road. We drove over there for 4 weeks and had no issues at all, just remember to tell yourself you are on the other side of the road, and do the same when you get back

Also pedestrians have right of way over there at crossings and intersections (unless signed otherwise).

4 way stop signs are a ! A cross road where everyone has a stop sign, first in first served is the way it works. (edit: Oops just re-read Chevypowers post above and he said the same thing )

Roundabouts work the same as here, just opposite direction.

Unless signed you can legally turn right at a red light after coming to a complete stop.

The same goes for a U turn at a set of traffic lights, they will tell you when you can't.

Do not queue across intersections, they hate this and the Police will book you.

In California you can exceed the speed limit on a freeway if you are going with the flow of traffic. On the drive to Vegas from LA we sat on 85mph with a group of cars and passed a couple of highway patrol cars without issue (speed limit was 70mph). We even followed a highway patrol back to San Diego from Vegas who was sitting above the speed limit.

As hypnodoc said, get a GPS unit with the car, they are invaluable!

You can use your CC at most bowsers, some are fussy but most worked for us, they ask for your postcode, I just put a 0 in front. Otherwise you need to go inside to leave your CC and then fill up.

Plan on taking at least an hour to drive from one end of the strip to the other in Las Vegas, more if after 4pm. It is far easier to use the monorail or the double decker busses to get around.

Do visit the Hoover Dam!

Keep plenty of $1 and $5 notes when in Vegas, this town is driven by tips. Expect to pay $1 per bag that the bellboy carries for you, $1 per day per person to the housemaids, $2 - $5 to a valet parking when dropping off and picking up your car. $20 to the concierge can get you all sorts of specials and tips. We ended up just tipping 20% on all eat in meals, it was much easier that way and easy to calculate.

And they seem to be a little nicer when it comes to letting people on and off the freeway than here. But don't be surprised when you get slow pokes in the left hand lane (fast lane).

You'll love it over there, it is an absolute ball, and Vegas is really an eye opener

[Ben B]

Some great advice there from all of you especially bwhinnen.

Not long now........we leave Friday week.

I think everything will work out.........am a little apprehensive....but once behind the wheel...all should be good.....

Hoping to get a Chevy Impala as our hire car....

Ben

[pauly85]

we had a pontiac grand prix and a buick lacross when we were over there

the pontiac was a 6 cyl front wheel drive and the buick was a 4 cyl, both with leather, sunroofs and sat nav, and pretty impressive sound systems for standard cars

both times we hired cars we were driving for well over 5 hours each, and was very comfortable for those distances

[bwhinnen]

Originally Posted by Ben B

Some great advice there from all of you especially bwhinnen.

Not long now........we leave Friday week.

I think everything will work out.........am a little apprehensive....but once behind the wheel...all should be good.....

Hoping to get a Chevy Impala as our hire car....

Ben

No worries, we were just over there 4 weeks ago I had to work for the first two weeks and then we played for the next two.

Don't wish for an Impala, you'll be really disappointed we had one in San Diego.

Our favourite was the Dodge Magnum, we were supposed to get the Charger but got a free upgrade. We also had the Impala, a Dodge Avenger (smaller Charger) and a Hyundai Tuscon, which wasn't too bad all things considered.

[Boostfiend]

Get a Charger or a Magnum with the Hemi, they are pretty decent cars. You could also get a Mustang GT which some places rent out if you don't need a bigger car. I say in order to drive in the U.S. you just need to drive defensively and watch out for people doing some amazingly stupid things. The only place I have driven where it was worse than Southern California was when I was stationed in Japan. Expect flow of traffic on the freeway to be around 80mph or a dead stop during rush hour. Enjoy your time over here. Bwhinnen also makes some good points about customs/courtesies.

[chevypower]

Here's a few tips about typical driving attitudes (based on my observations). Expect people in the US not to madly flash their high beams at you just for overtaking them. People will change lanes in front of you maybe even without signalling, that doesnt seem to cause a heated rage here, as it does in oz (so don't get fired up when an Expedition or Tahoe moves in front of you without signalling) There just seems to be less sense of ownership to the road. So give and take with that forgiveness. People take off from the lights a lot quicker here, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are trying to drag race you (flat to the floor) so you don't have to prove your rental is faster. In Aus, people either creep slowly away from the lights (to show everyone that they are not racing?), or plant their right foot to beat the car next to them, if the car next to them sees them going fast, they will try to compete. In the US, just drive how you would if you were the only car on the road (except to avoid crashing in to them of course).
As a precaution, avoid road rage, keep the doors locked if you think you're in a bad area (though the car doors will probably lock automatically when you start driving). It is unlikely anything bad would happen.

Oh and if you get to LAX airport, don't ask anybody for directions, there are people who make their living targeting tourists for their money at LAX. They will do this by offering assistance, or seeking money for their "sickness". If you look like you don't know what you're doing, you are a prime target. So just pretend you know where you are going. Of course you can ask people who actually officially work at the airport.

The Dodge Avenger makes a nice rental... I am hoping to pick one up on Thurs for our drive to Vegas and Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Economical and nice to drive...engine cruises nicely low rpm on the interstate. The Impala is probably good too, but never driven one.

[dave289]

Driving in the us eh.I would first advise to lock all your doors but before this you should go to the local gun dealer,there should be one on every second corner just as there is a seven eleven here on every second .Ask to purchase a 357 magnum ,just like the one dirty harry uses and some ammo.this should keep you a bit safer on the streets of the usa.As for driving on the wrong side of the ride I suggest you take your irish cousin(PHIL MCKEVAS) and get him to do the driving.put a post up as soon as you get back so we know that your have made it back ok.

On a more serious note my brother and my ols man have both driven in the us and said its not that bad.thay said you get used to it after a while but be careful turning at first ,this is where you may come undone.my brother said the scariest was driving thruoght a narrow mountain pass lane when your are driving around a blind corner on the wrong side of the road.good luck with your trip ,if you cause any carnage be sure to take some pics and post them up when(if)you get back.lol

Let us know how you went upon your return.

[hypnodoc]

Originally Posted by bwhinnen

No worries, we were just over there 4 weeks ago I had to work for the first two weeks and then we played for the next two.

Don't wish for an Impala, you'll be really disappointed we had one in San Diego.

Our favourite was the Dodge Magnum, we were supposed to get the Charger but got a free upgrade. We also had the Impala, a Dodge Avenger (smaller Charger) and a Hyundai Tuscon, which wasn't too bad all things considered.

I rented an Impala from Avis for 2weeks in LA last Sept. It was a bit plasticy but a good car. The Cadillacs are best for open road driving, they don't get going till 80 MPH. :evil3:

[hypnodoc]

Originally Posted by dave289

Driving in the us eh.I would first advise to lock all your doors but before this you should go to the local gun dealer,there should be one on every second corner just as there is a seven eleven here on every second .Ask to purchase a 357 magnum ,just like the one dirty harry uses and some ammo.this should keep you a bit safer on the streets of the usa.As for driving on the wrong side of the ride I suggest you take your irish cousin(PHIL MCKEVAS) and get him to do the driving.put a post up as soon as you get back so we know that your have made it back ok.

On a more serious note my brother and my ols man have both driven in the us and said its not that bad.thay said you get used to it after a while but be careful turning at first ,this is where you may come undone.my brother said the scariest was driving thruoght a narrow mountain pass lane when your are driving around a blind corner on the wrong side of the road.good luck with your trip ,if you cause any carnage be sure to take some pics and post them up when(if)you get back.lol

Let us know how you went upon your return.

Hard to get a gun in California now, and impossible in New York. Texas you can wear twin magnums a sidearms and not get a second look. In LA just stay out of South Central and Compton areas, day or night, Hollywood has cleaned up significantly in the last 2 years, street corner drug dealers, muggers etc are gone. Driving on the LA freeways keep your eyes straight ahead and stay with the traffic flow

[flappist]

Originally Posted by dave289

Driving in the us eh.I would first advise to lock all your doors but before this you should go to the local gun dealer,there should be one on every second corner just as there is a seven eleven here on every second .Ask to purchase a 357 magnum ,just like the one dirty harry uses and some ammo.this should keep you a bit safer on the streets of the usa.
Let us know how you went upon your return.

If you are not a US citizen or hold a green card etc you can't have a gun there. They take this VERY seriously as you a FOREIGNER.

P.S. Dirty Harry carried a Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver which is a 44mag mot a 357mag..

[George1861]

Use of the mirrors will be strange, both manuvering in traffic & backing up! Really different view of the world out the back.

[Hunter]

Re getting out of cars... I wouldn't do that here EITHER. Ever noticed how the coppers almost always approach your vehicle with one hand on the holster?

I got pulled over recently and there was no way in hell I was getting out of the vehicle, even if the cop was being polite and friendly...

[Ben B]

I'm back from Las Vegas........what a city....never stops......that goes for the traffic especially....

I ended up renting a Crysler Pacifica SUV for a week.....got a GPS unit too...
Car was comfortable and roomy.....plenty of luggage space for all our large suitcases. Was very good on fuel and had enough power when needed...

Petrol was $3.44 a gallon.......It's nearer to $4.00 a gallon now... lot cheaper than here....but boy do the locals whinge about the price!!! You have to pay for the petrol before you fill up the tank......I reckon that will be happening here before to long....

To say it felt weird driving on the other side, would be an understatement....
I was a fish out of water on the first day....My wife kept telling me that I was drifting to the right side of my lane....

The GPS was our saviour.......except for the time when it said "slight left turn ahead".......I saw a break in the medium strip and thought that was the slight left turn....I ended up on the wrong side of the road....luckily nothing was coming my way. Made a very quick 3 point turn......phew!....our hearts were going a million miles an hour.....

Turns out "a slight left turn" means the road veers left....so all I should have done was to follow the road.....sheesh!

Once we worked out the lingo of the GPS the driving went well.....but I never really felt comfortable driving, like here.

The main Vegas Strip is mainly 4 lanes wide each side.......often 2 or 3 lanes turn left at major intersections........

We drove to the Grand Canyon. Took 7 hours to get there....did some site seeing on the way......Hoover Dam....Kingman....Stayed there 2 nights.

It was the secong time I'd seen the Grand Canyon..this time we did a helicopter flight over it.....just awesome.....words can't do the grand canyon justice...you need to see it.......

Took 5 hours coming back to Vegas........

If anyone is going to Vegas make sure you go to the outlet centre located about 4 miles south of the main Vegas strip.......great prices on all sorts of stuff........

The Best Buffet we had was at the Bellagio Casino.......good food, good value

Ben

[Jason[98.EL]]

great to see you had a good time

as i posted earlier i cant wait to get back over there just need the kids to grow up a bit

jason

[GMACK24]

Hey Ben Glad you had a good time.
Sorry no Roundabouts in Vegas.

but if you come to Boston there are a ton....

Again Glad you had fun in the states.

Greg
Boston, MA USA