Driving in the west coast of America

jimbob1982

Hey guys I would just like to know can any of you give me a few good tips for driving on the West coast? I've driven in Finland.Thats my only experience of Right hand driving.Cheers folks

easygoing39

Keep to the right of the white line!!

Alanstrainor

The roads are big and wide, the cars are easy to drive and drivers are pretty chill. Driving in the states really is easy, just keep on your toes for the first day or so and you'll be grand. Was in San Fran earlier this year and did a decent bit of driving, I didn't have any problems.

zilog_jones

• Four-way stops are very common in residential/suburban areas.
• Some roads and bridges have tolls, so check how you need to pay for these as some have toll booths, but others have open road tolling like the M50 (e.g. Golden Gate Bridge - pay online/by phone, etc.).
• Speed limits differ by state
• The concept of undertaking being bad/wrong doesn't seem to exist over there, so always be careful on multi-lane highways
• If you're not used to driving an automatic, use "L" or "B" on steep hills or mountain passes to force it to use lower gears
• Making U-turns are generally allowed (unless signposted), and usually easy to do because the roads are so wide.

I'd recommend the Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route 1).

Pedantic note: "right-hand driving" is what we do in Ireland, i.e. you're driving on the right-hand side of the car.
Driving on the right = "left-hand drive".

jmayo

Driving in San Fran I found I was losing Sat Nav signal between hills and skyscrapers.

Now that caused some major issues when on 4 or more lane road and I suddenly found sat nav telling me to turn left and I was over on the far right as I reached junction.

Also some of major roads can be 6 plus lanes and you just need to be decisive when you need to move across.
Like most European countries don't expect people to wait all day for you to move.

And if stopped by police in the US never ever ever start to get out of the vehicle unless they specifically tell you to.
And if they tell you to put your hands on the dash or wheel so they can see them then bloody well do so.

I have found they are very professional and to the point in their manner, but they also have a hand near their firearm when they approach.


Also what we would term cross roads where there are stop signs, STOP.
Don't dribble through like you might here as if spotted by cops it is traffic violation.

EDIT: zilog_jones has the correct term 4 way stops

I usually found it is first come, first through kind of thing.

If you are doing Route 1 Pacific Coast highway, Santa Barbara and Monterey are nice stop overs.

Anyway enjoy.

jimbob1982

Thanks a million.You guys are brill��

Del2005

jmayo wrote: »

And if stopped by police in the US never ever ever start to get out of the vehicle unless they specifically tell you to.
And if they tell you to put your hands on the dash or wheel so they can see them then bloody well do so.

I have found they are very professional and to the point in their manner, but they also have a hand near their firearm when they approach.

If stopped at night turn on all internal lights and keep your hands on the steering wheel and make sure that passengers do similar by putting hands on dash and back of the front seats. Don't go rummaging for documents until asked.

If a school bus puts on its red lights and stop signs traffic in both directions HAS to stop, unless on a road with a physical barrier then traffic on the opposite side can keep driving.

Be careful of speed around schools. The limit is lowered during school hours and at least in Oregon the cops regularly set up speed checks.

A slight annoyance in Oregon is that you can't pump your own gas. There's a person in every station that does it and you can be waiting a few minutes for them to remove the hose when done.

If you never drove automatic before stick your left leg up beside the seat for the first while so you don't accidentally left foot brake.

jmayo

jimbob1982 wrote: »

Thanks a million.You guys are brill��

Actually with a name like yours shouldn't you be heading for Virginia instead of California.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Waltons

Del2005 wrote: »

If stopped at night turn on all internal lights and keep your hands on the steering wheel and make sure that passengers do similar by putting hands on dash and back of the front seats. Don't go rummaging for documents until asked.

I didn't want to totally scare the cr** out of them.
Also forgot to mention to be very careful approaching anyones home late at night.

Del2005 wrote: »

If a school bus puts on its red lights and stop signs traffic in both directions HAS to stop, unless on a road with a physical barrier then traffic on the opposite side can keep driving.

Be careful of speed around schools. The limit is lowered during school hours and at least in Oregon the cops regularly set up speed checks.

Forgot about the not passing school buses.

Del2005 wrote: »

A slight annoyance in Oregon is that you can't pump your own gas. There's a person in every station that does it and you can be waiting a few minutes for them to remove the hose when done.

If you never drove automatic before stick your left leg up beside the seat for the first while so you don't accidentally left foot brake.

I did that on my first day in Canada years ago, leaving almighty skid mark.
It was then I knew I was no Walter Rohrl.
Also got told off by RCMP for going through amber, although he was fair enough seeing as it was my first day.

jimbob1982

Hahaha.Thats a good one jmayo.��

jimbob1982

Anyone recommend me a good rules of the road book on the net?? Cheers folks

zilog_jones

Besides what has been already mentioned here, it's pretty standard stuff. Rules will differ slightly between states. Here's the rules for California: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc

grogi

OSI wrote: »

Google the rules on turning right on a red light. The gist being, unless a signs prohibits you, you can turn right on a red light if it is clear to do so. But there are rules on where you must stop before the light depending on various markings etc. There's also a very specific rule allowing a left turn on red on a one way street, although that might be limited to California.

Washington has that too. Left turn on red is allowed from one way to one way.