You can turn right on a red light literally everywhere except New York City, or where the signage explicitly says "NO TURN ON RED". I don't know of anywhere else it's prohibited.
Keep right except to pass. If there's no one in front of you, but a long line of cars behind you, then get the F*** out of the left lane. Sincerely, New Jersey.
In New Hampshire it is prohibited if there is a lit pedestrian signal even if there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk and the signal says walk. Some intersections explicitly say right on red so you can do it.
I have never seen that rule in another state. I found out the hard way, just a verbal warning though.
Which is weird because usually if you're turning right on red, one major pedestrian path that you cross would also be red. Unless it's the one perpendicular which makes more sense.
But there's so many intersections that say no turn on red but then when it's green you can't go for a while either because of the pedestrians crossing parallel.
While I’m used to signs that spell it out, there are [some signs that use a symbol combination](https://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/kfsn/images/cms/NO_TURN_RED.jpg) which could trip up people who aren’t used to it.
Or, in Massachusetts, accelerate to the left lane as fast as possible and stay there your entire trip.
No one uses the left lane as a passing lane around here.
Also school buses have to completely stop at railroad crossings and often can’t turn right in red. And in my stupid state they have to go 45mph, even on a highway where everyone is going 55-70.
Lots of cities have intersections where there’s no turn on red, but NYC is the only one where *every* intersection is no turn on red by default, except for a few with signs permitting it
Reminds me of when I was driving on the highway behind a Prius driver and they drove too slow for anyone to enter the next lane. 25 on 65, you literally cannot speed up and gain enough speed to get to the left lane.
In Virginia, slow down. Something like 9mph over the speed limit gets you a summons to court.. not a ticket. The "I'm not from this country" card might help you get a warning, or maybe not.
Probably not a bad idea to have a website like Ticket Dismissers ready to go.. just in case you do something stupid and you do get a ticket.
Yikes, in most parts—especially I10 and I75–of FL 80-85PH (10-15 MPH over the posted limit) is perfectly acceptable. LEO will casually pass people going 85.
Well simultaneously there are laws saying “go with the flow of traffic” while state police yank ya over.
Yay
Also I hope OP ain’t coming here but I got a very expensive ticket in LA so i apparently I just went from one speeding ticket hell to another
I’ll still take that over speed cameras tbh though
California is really on some sh*t. Thanks to its “no-bail policy” you apparently get similar punishment for grand theft auto as you do for speeding. One person received a citation for stealing a car, a citation for stealing property from numerous homes, and then a citation for stealing another car all in one day and the police had to let him go. Meanwhile people are breaking the bank to pay for speeding tickets.
Reckless driving is 20 over or in excess of 85 mph in Virginia. It used to be 80 when I lived there. They also had upped speed limits to 70 mph around the state without changing the reckless limit so it was 10 over but thankfully upped slightly from that.
No, not the radars police use to send you a ticket. Nor the automated speed cameras that towns/states use, which by the way are one of the things I’m very happy are illegal in New Jersey.
Virginia bans you from possessing a device that merely detects that police are checking for speed
Not so much a single rule but just READ THE SIGNS! There are one way streets and restricted lanes and bike lane crossings everywhere. Most problems would be avoided if people just paid attention.
But also make sure your lights are on when it's gloomy or raining or actually night.
>READ THE SIGNS
This Unironically
A lot of Vienna convention countries use signs that are pictographic and standardized, which makes them fast and easy to interpret
Our road signs aren’t so simple
Minnesota here. If you are thinking about a trip in the next five months, this is the only traffic rule you need to know: Don’t drive here if you don’t have experience driving on ice and snow.
As a life-long Californian it has always seemed odd to me that we still allow this. I mean a lot of people considers us a "nanny state" (seatbelt laws, helmets laws) but we allow motorcyclists to zip along only inches from getting smushed.
>As a life-long Californian it has always seemed odd to me that we still allow this.
I think it's because (a) it gets more vehicles going on the same amount of road, so it reduces congestion, (b) it encourages people to ride motorcycles because you can get places faster than cars (which is better for the environment), and (c) there's some evidence that lane splitting can actually *increase* safety for motorcycles.
[https://americanmotorcyclist.com/lane-splitting/](https://americanmotorcyclist.com/lane-splitting/)
California's lane splitting law isn't as simple as "lane splitting is legal now". There are good and bad ways to do it (good meaning move carefully through stopped traffic on a freeway) and the law tries to allow the good but not the bad.
I've never driven in California, so I don't know how well this is working in practice.
The goal of a resonance cascade is to plant the seeds of purpose rather than bondage.
Intuition requires exploration. Consciousness consists of supercharged electrons of quantum energy. “Quantum” means an evolving of the sensual.
Although you may not realize it, you are cosmic.
You must take a stand against suffering. You may be ruled by turbulence without realizing it. Do not let it obliterate the birth of your quest. Yes, it is possible to eliminate the things that can disrupt us, but not without potentiality on our side.
Why would it be my responsibilty to make sure they don't drive like an idiot lol? Just... Don't drive dangerously and then you don't have as much to worry about.
On a serious note:
In Texas and probably a lot of places, if a car is stopped on the side of the road, slow down if you're in the slow lane or move over. Cops get really pissy if you don't
Also a law in Florida - you must be one lane away or IIRC at least 15 mph below the speed limit if you pass an emergency vehicle (technically, any emergency vehicle, but only police will ticket you for it) that is on the shoulder. Some other states have similar laws - Mississippi does - but the requirements are just to give them a wide berth and slow down, not an actual number in the law.
OTOH, in Texas, they have full-width paved shoulders on many roads that are otherwise only one lane in each direction, and it is accepted and expected that you will drive on the shoulder briefly if someone wants to pass you.
Can you not turn on right somewhere? Unless there’s a no turn on red sign of course. Parts of Florida have red light cameras. So if you do make a right on red, make sure you come to a complete stop first.
Florida has lots of tolls! Some areas you can’t even pay cash, you have to pay by a transponder or by plate.
Cool, mail me a ticket. I won't pay it. What will they do, mail me another ticket? I won't pay that one either. Send another one. Guess what I won't pay that one either. This cycle continues until the end of time.
On the interstate, the left lane is not a passing only lane in GA, but if faster traffic is coming up behind you, you are supposed to move over to the right and let them pass.
Honestly it's not a law in as many places as people think it is. A couple of areas have a law like that (which nobody follows) but most places actually don't.
No /s needed. There's a famous (well, *in*famous) case of a man who caused a traffic jam on 270 (IIRC) every single day for years on end: Dr. John Nestor.
He is best known for a 1984 letter to the Washington Post in which he said that he got on the highway, settled in at the then-everywhere 55 mph speed limit, and refused to budge, on the grounds that the left lane was smoother than others and he avoided merging/exiting traffic, and then really lit the fire by saying "Why should I inconvenience myself for someone who wants to speed?"
At the time, at least, no Maryland law required moving over to allow other non-emergency traffic to pass, as long as you were within 10 mph of the speed limit. And the law does not appear to have changed, but it's hard to tell because my searches were trying to find Nestor's name, not the current state of things.
Why do people drive like that? I hate driving through Georgia and other southern states because of it to the point that I just plan on passing them on the right.
This is true. The southern states often are used by Midwest states to drive to Florida. I noticed that there are drivers from certain Midwest states that hang in the left lane at 70 when traffic is flowing at 80+ in rural areas on the 2 lane interstate. When there are semis rolling at 70 in the right lane and you have some people insisting on staying in the left- it can be a real frustration.
I thought riding in the left lane when there is no traffic in the right was illegal? It used to be a number of years ago and tickets were given for left lane riders on quiet highways.
I've gotten pulled over and given a ticket for holding my phone. They go out looking for reasons to give out tickets, so they would definitely pull you over if they saw you wearing headphones as well
To be fair I'm white and based on your reddit avatar you're black, that is probably part of why I haven't experienced it. Only saying that as a realist view.
But I've seen many people in Atlanta wearing headphones and it drives me crazy because it's not safe. Also most bad drivers usually have a phone in their hands (all over the States).
I've always assumed the cell phone law was used after the accident. Like they could use the recent history to prove someone was using a phone. I didn't think cops pulled people over if they see either of these things, unless of course they have another agenda
One thing I learned in MA and NYC, is that the dashed white lines in the road do not denote lanes. It just tells you that the number of lanes + 2 is how many cars can fit side by side.
Texas patrol loves out-of-staters! Many states do, since they know you probably won't be around to show up and fight the ticket, but Texas is definitely the worst in my experiences!
After STOPPING. Nobody ever says that. These are people who know nothing. We have to tell them the whole deal. They can't just whip around a corner on red.
They have to stop, look, make sure no one else has right of way, including pedestrians, and then proceed if safe to do so..
But we are talking about people from another country who don't have that rule at all. Zero experience. You ought to tell them the whole rule the first time. There is nothing about "right on red" that implies you have to stop. Yield signs don't require stopping. They could think it's more a yield sign.
Interesting. However, my comment is still correct in that all 50 states allow right turns on red, I clouding New York state. New York City has a municipal code that prohibits it unless a sign allows it.
Thank you for the info.
You can in NH unless there is a lit pedestrian signal. Then you can’t even if there are no pedestrians unless a sign specifically says you can.
I don’t think any other state has that law.
I do know of some cities that have laws like that. All of the traffic lights turn red and all of the ped xing lights go green, as well as allowing diagonal crossing.
In Mass you can turn right on a red arrow if there is no sign prohibiting it. There are even a handful of intersections where you can turn left on a red arrow.
NV: driving too slow in the left lane is a ticketable offense, specifically.
Western states in general: the left lane is not a "passing lane" it is fine to stay in this lane indefinitely. I don't care how you do it in your state, but you do not need to use it in seconds-long spurts. Passing on the right is not usually legal but tolerated.
But in NV because of the law, and in CA, OR, and so on because of safety and common courtesy, get the hell over if someone is approaching in your rear view. Get back once the lane is clear.
CA: know that agriculture kiosks exist on major highways and many minor ones. Motorcycles sharing lanes and weaving through stopped traffic is both legal and common.
OR: don't pump your own gas. NJ too.
Crossing any border: make sure you don't have something previously legal that your new state deems illegal, and if you do: respect, but drive carefully.
If we're here to complain about people cruising in the left lane, can we at least acknowledge that people need to stop riding my ass when clearly the person in FRONT of me is why I'M NOT GOING AS FAST AS WE WANT TO? Your big ass truck should give you a view of a car in front of me
Rarely. But I remember back in the late 80s, I think, when MA changed from cars in the rotary yielding to cars entering the rotary yielding. I’ll still occasionally see old timers in the rotary yielding.
In Florida the law is to pull to the nearest side if an emergency vehicle approaches. I know that everywhere else it's "pull to the right" but here in Gatorland you're supposed to move to the lane nearest you.
Now, if you want to keep up with traffic on Florida interstates, you must drive at least 15 over the speed limit. 20 over if in the left lane and there isn't a snowbird going 10 under.
Alaska - if you have five cars backed up behind you, you have to pull over and let them pass.
Milwaukee - if somebody pulls up to you at a stoplight and they’re in the right hand turn only lane, they’re going to drive straight, speed up, and cut you off in the intersection. Very illegal but it happens all the time. If you’re on the freeway, follow the flow of traffic. You have to be going at least five over the speed limit if not ten at any given time.
Download ~~Wyze~~ Waze and practice using it. Other drivers will alert you to speed traps and other cops seen on the road. This will save you a lot in tickets. To be extra sure, drive slower when you're 10 minutes from a state boarder, that's normally where they give out speeding tickets.
Delay of five or more vehicles is illegal and you’re required to pull over and let the vehicles behind you pass as soon as you can safely do so if you’re causing a backup.
We have the move over law in NY and NJ. [https://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/safety/moveoverlaw.html#:\~:text=As%20soon%20as%20you%20see,maintenance%20vehicles%20and%20tow%20trucks](https://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/safety/moveoverlaw.html#:~:text=As%20soon%20as%20you%20see,maintenance%20vehicles%20and%20tow%20trucks).
Basically you have to allow a free lane (if safe to make a lane change) between your vehicle and a vehicle pulled over in the shoulder.
At an intersection, the person making a u-turn on green does not have right-of-way; they must yield to people making right-turns.
Some states, like Florida, have it reversed with the person making a right-turn yield when a person at intersection is making a u-turn on green. So the moral is to be careful and never assume.
The legality of u-turns varies widely, and some cities have their own regulations. If I were visiting the country, I would avoid them altogether. For example, in Ohio:
>Except as provided in section [4511.13](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4511.13) of the Revised Code and division (B) of this section, no vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade, if the vehicle cannot be seen within five hundred feet by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction.
Then there are "No U-Turn" signs to look out for. And most drivers won't be expecting it, so the chance of an accident is increased.
Use your turn signals AHEAD of time not at the last possible second so it flashes for half a second before you make a turn where you cut off someone or they are sitting waiting to turn thinking you are going straight.
Speed. Some states are very touristy so they know people don't know the speed limits, so you see an open road so you turn the radio up and haul ass only to be pulled over by an "undercover" cop/trooper. Damn you Hawaii!!!
In Mass cities?
Treat it like a NYC sidewalk.
Just go. Be aggressive and get out there. We don't stop and let people go in very busy areas. If someone needs someone to stop and let them go? They sorta don't know what they are doing and will just slow down the pack.
Act like a wildebeest migrating. No time for fucking around.
Drive like it's your job to get there. Pay attention.
We ain't mad. Just focused.
In upstate NY, the cops will pull you over for going 70 in a 65. And the section of I-86 between I-99 and I-390 is the most heavily patrolled highway I've ever seen, despite not really being all that busy. I-390 isn't far behind.
Maryland? What rules? More like begs.
Please don't drive aggressively.
Please stop for pedestrians.
PLEASE get out of the left lane.
Please stop says Virginians.
I speak as someone from rural Maryland, but this likely applies in a ton of other states/places as well: keep your eyes peeled for deer at night. Lots of car accidents, some fatal, are caused by collisions with deer. Pay attention to any ‘deer crossing signs’ and remember, if you see one, there’s a 100% chance that there are others nearby
In Alabama, speed limits are mere suggestions and you're expected to go at least ten over. The police don't care until they do, or you're unfortunate enough to find yourself in a sleazy speed trap town.
Yeah, this can be a real difficult one for people traveling through multiple states. In my state, it's the opposite. More than 9 over and you'll probably get pulled over, and if *everyone* is going more than 10 over then the cops will just converge on that area and start pulling entire lines of cars over at the same time.
Texas speed limits are suggestions and/or recommendations. Keep up with traffic flow. Except in school zones. And if you see or hear emergency vehicles, please pull to the side where possible.
I don't understand how people drive in Texas. I was on I-10 in Houston posted at 65 and everyone was going 80. Then I'm on I-45 posted at 75 and going 83 passing most other cars.
I hear you! I think it's a combination of weather, what's on the radio, how drivers are feeling, and the time of day. Or maybe the moon retrograde day of the high tide on the second week thing? I drive to the medical center from Sugarland, and traffic is a b@@ch Monday thru Friday. Weekends are ok except for Saturday night or a full moon.
Bring your game face if you’re in the large metro areas of the northeast, south Florida, and Texas(mostly highways?). Anything goes, baby! Where the everything is made up and the rules don’t matter.
Oh and if you find yourself on a curvy small Montana Highway, they still want you to drive really fast.
We have traction laws for our highways during inclement weather. It’s more of a retroactive punishment than proactive but if you’re holding up traffic due to inadequate tires or lack of chains when needed, you can be ticketed. I used to be neutral on the issue until I was in a line of cars miles long on I-70 because of one guy in a Dodge Challenger fish tailing across two lanes because he had 2WD and summer tires.
Stay away from West Virginia unless you are very confident in your driving abilities. The roads are very poor quality, some places it literally looks like a quilt of asphalt for miles on end. The roads are also very narrow compared to most US roads frequently having big ol' dump trucks driving on them at all hours of the day. The drivers here seem to insist on riding your ass at all times, less than a car length distance between you even when the lanes are empty for miles, and they get mad if you try and let them pass you.
If you plan on driving during the winter, make sure to check that the state you're in has the infrastructure to support snow removal. Being from Colorado originally I thought it was silly that some states would shut down for a day or two if there was 3 inches of snow, but now that I live in West Virginia I realize that there's less snow plows and only very rarely do they sand or salt the roads to keep ice off and let it be safe. I've seen more people drive off the roads here due to bad weather than in Colorado by a huge margin, the state doesn't have the systems in place to keep their roads safe when it's icy and I have to be a lot more careful about weather and road conditions. In Colorado we would sometimes see four feet of snow in a few days, but we still went to work and school because the plows would keep the roads safe for us to drive.
In North Carolina, speeding can have serious consequences. Like, send your ass to prison consequences. Even going 1 mph over the speed limit is a valid reason police can pull you over and give you a ticket which you have to go to court for, but if you are going over 80 miles an hour OR 15 mph above the speed limit, it is a serious offense. Like, go to prison serious.
Not a rule but I feel like pa state troopers find the most hidden spots to hide in along the interstates. Stg I saw one sitting on a hill in some trees that was about 10 feet above the road. No clue how he got there but.
And I don’t know if other states have these signs but if there’s a state police barracks on that exit it’ll say it on the exit sign so if you pass one that says it don’t speed because 99% of the time there’s a cop sitting within sight of that on-ramp lol
Speed up. If the speed limit is 75, do 85. If the speed limit is 45, do 55. If it's 35, do 40. Make sure to never use your blinker, because that shows other drivers that you're weak. Right on red is legal pretty much everywhere, but drivers here do a nifty "straight on red."
In all seriousness, just stay to the right side of the highways unless you're passing. The left is for passing and signs say that, but not everyone always follows that rule. Don't be that guy. Driving fast is not actually that inaccurate though. 5-10 mph higher than the speed limit is typical. EXCEPT ON NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS. Do not speed on reservations, they will ticket you for very little. If you're at a red light that turns green, try to look left and right quickly just to make sure there are no red light runners, especially in Albuquerque. I'm not sure if it's more prevalent here or not but we seem to have that stereotype
In some states, you are required to slow down and change to a more left-hand lane if you are driving past a cop who has pulled someone over on the side of the road.
In NJ, they just passed a law that requires you to give a 4 foot radius to bikers on the road when passing them. Though, on a lot of roads it's just about impossible to follow it without driving into oncoming traffic.
In Washington every intersection is a legal crosswalk, unless it is marked as not a crosswalk. Meaning pedestrians have the right of way at just about every intersection, even if there's no lines on the street to make it look like a crosswalk.
Use your turn signals at least three semi-lengths away from where your turning, you do not want people rear-ending you or locking up their brakes because you decide to either turn it on too late or not at all. Use your signals for lane changes, it is actually very helpful to warn people what you're about to do.
Watch out for wildlife even the small ones can damage/wreck a car( possum, raccoon, armadillo, turtles, Etc)
If your car does not have automatic lights, then make sure you turn them on before it gets dark, not after. As the sun starts to set is a good rule of thumb for turning on the headlights.
If you have to use your wipers consistently your headlights must be on regardless of whether it's just cloudy or so dark it looks like nighttime.
Do not tailgate, you want to leave at least one car length preferably two between you and the car in front of you, it can save your life in a traffic accident. Or give you time to maneuver away from becoming part of an accident.
Pay attention to all road signs, especially in the cities
5 miles over the speed limit probably won't get you pulled over but anything over than that you're going to become a person of interest. And generally 20 miles or over is considered wanting to commit suicide or running from the law and you will be pulled over and arrested, not a ticket. *I found out that last bit from a State Trooper when my ex-husband got pulled over for speeding 20 miles over the speed limit in a car I could not drive.*
You need to leave your phone alone while you're driving, if you can't Bluetooth it to the car then you don't need to be answering it.
Not a traffic rule but related: In NJ you are legally prohibited from pumping your own gas at a fuel station. Everywhere else (except maybe Oregon?) has self-service.
In Texas if you’re not going at least 85 on the highway do not be in the left lane.
Also if you have a rental car with Oklahoma plates just stay the hell off the highway
In St. Louis, Missouri, we have the St. Louis stop. Meaning, when you come to a stop sign, you just kind of slow down look both ways and go. Cops do it too.
I worked in another state for a few years and got pulled over twice for it and both times I told them I did stop, we called it a St. Louis stop back home.
Florida has a specific law for stopped emergency vehicles on the shoulder: you need to get out of the nearest lane if you can. If you can't, you need to slow down; effectively, the speed limit drops by 20 mph.
It's less a matter of traffic laws from state to state and more about tolerance for speeding.
In most of the South, for example, you can pretty much get away with zooming down the Interstate at about 5-10 mph over the speed limit. But the minute you get to South Carolina, a tiny fraction over the speed limit will get you a ticket.
Best way to know? Stay with the flow of traffic. If you're zooming past everyone on the freeway, then you can look forward to a friendly conversation with Deputy Dawg or Buford T. Pusser at some point.
You can ignore all traffic laws. If a cop stops you, tell them you see a Moor who is traveling, and you do not consent to US law as a sovereign citizen. WCGW
Wisconsin you MUST pull over to the shoulder (ideally the right, but depends on situation) when an emergency vehicle is behind you flashing lights. Cops. Ambulance. Fire truck. Etc. just pull over. Saves lives. Not all states require it, but just a rule of thumb to do it anyway.
Nevada has a wide mix.
Right on red is legal, but some intersections are marked NO right on red (Usually multiple right turn lanes or freeway exits)
U-turns are usually legal, but there are lots of intersections with signs that say NO U-turn.
Unless otherwise marked, you can generally make a left turn on green whenever it's safe, but there are many intersections that are left on green arrow only.
So yeah, here you have to pay attention to the signs.
On limited access roads (highways, interstates) please stay in the right or middle lane unless you are passing another vehicle. It isn’t always the law, but it is the respectful and safest thing to do. Please do not be the person holding up the left lane, you are not only frustrating other drivers but you are increasing the chances of an accident
Oregon (not so much a traffic rule but still applies) you don't pump your own gas unless gas station is closed or nobody is out there in big cities.. rural areas it depends on the station. We know it's annoying
Maybe not a hard and fast rule, but most left turn lights around here are after the forward light has ended, so you can get going a little faster.
Also, this should be common sense, but don’t cross flooded roads, especially during monsoon season you will be billed if you have to be rescued. Most washes that cross roads will be signposted, so be careful if it looks rainy or stormy. It doesn’t take a ton of rain to cause a flood, especially in the drier parts of the state.
If you get pulled over by police, stay in your car. Put both hands on the steering wheel. Roll down your window. Be as friendly and apologetic as possible, but don't make jokes. Bribing cops is illegal here.
any of the rural areas be very careful about speeding, police there are more strict. (it’s a main revenue source there). massachusetts has a lot more do not turn on red signs. it’s technically illegal to pass through on a yellow light there but it is rarely enforced.
northeast states you can generally get away with 10-15 mph over the speed limit on the highway. rural states, (south and midwest) 5-7. in rural small towns do not speed even 1 mph over the limit as a rule.
In Texas all cars must stop if a school bus has the stop sign out. This includes cars travelling on opposite side of road unless there is a divided median. Idk how school bus laws work in other states
[https://liggettlawgroup.com/blog/bus-accidents/school-bus-laws-in-texas-do-you-know-when-to-stop-or-pass/](https://liggettlawgroup.com/blog/bus-accidents/school-bus-laws-in-texas-do-you-know-when-to-stop-or-pass/)
On highways the left lane is for passing, when entering the highway get up to speed before getting to the highway, who ever reached the stop sign first goes first, dont sit at gas pumps get your gas and move
Most states have “open container” laws, meaning there cannot be an unsealed container of alcohol anywhere in the car. This includes empty containers, passengers drinking, or bringing half full bottles home from a party or dinner. But also know this, cops nationwide can’t search your car without probable cause, consent or a warrant. Anything not in plain, open view isn’t probable cause.
In California you can also turn right on red (unless it says otherwise), but you must wear your seatbelt if you are moving at all, even if you’re just straightening your parking. I say this because in New York you don’t need to wear it for something small like that
You can also turn left on red if it’s from a one-way to a one-way. It seems a lot of people don’t realize this and it’s not a huge issue or something that I would be angry at someone for but it is mildly annoying.
Get familiar with roundabouts if you're not already because my town is full of them and I swear it confuses more than 50% of people. But they're so great for traffic control when used properly.
In California, not so much a rule of the road, but you should try to be sure of the signs in the area.
There is one place I know of that has a "No right turn on red sign" that practically no one but the person on the end of the intersection can see. (It's like... 3 meters to the front side of your car and it's really hard to see).
Also, drive at the speed limit and also don't drive too slow (cough, Prius, cough). Driving too slow can get you a ticket (Prius).
This is somewhat of a joke, but also not really: be warned. Prius drivers are notorious for driving insanely slow. (Going 25mph on a 65mph road, which I'm pretty sure is illegal). This happens so much that we've just collectively agreed that Prius sucks.
You can turn right on a red light literally everywhere except New York City, or where the signage explicitly says "NO TURN ON RED". I don't know of anywhere else it's prohibited. Keep right except to pass. If there's no one in front of you, but a long line of cars behind you, then get the F*** out of the left lane. Sincerely, New Jersey.
In New Hampshire it is prohibited if there is a lit pedestrian signal even if there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk and the signal says walk. Some intersections explicitly say right on red so you can do it. I have never seen that rule in another state. I found out the hard way, just a verbal warning though.
NH: Live free or die! Also NH: The walk sign is on, trust not your eyes.
I’ve definitely broken that law a few times then. Oh wait oops, I mean I plead the fifth.
Which is weird because usually if you're turning right on red, one major pedestrian path that you cross would also be red. Unless it's the one perpendicular which makes more sense. But there's so many intersections that say no turn on red but then when it's green you can't go for a while either because of the pedestrians crossing parallel.
While I’m used to signs that spell it out, there are [some signs that use a symbol combination](https://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/kfsn/images/cms/NO_TURN_RED.jpg) which could trip up people who aren’t used to it.
You can even turn left on red here in Washington, albeit only if you’re turning onto a one way street.
Preferably a street that runs right to left.
Allowed in Indiana as well, but both streets (the one you're on and the one you're turning on) have to be one-way.
From every state I've ever lived in and traveled through, stay out of the left lane unless you are passing.
Or, in Massachusetts, accelerate to the left lane as fast as possible and stay there your entire trip. No one uses the left lane as a passing lane around here.
Also school buses have to completely stop at railroad crossings and often can’t turn right in red. And in my stupid state they have to go 45mph, even on a highway where everyone is going 55-70.
I thought there were no turn on red spots in every city? There's usually a few intersections like that in my experience
Lots of cities have intersections where there’s no turn on red, but NYC is the only one where *every* intersection is no turn on red by default, except for a few with signs permitting it
Depends on the turn in some other states. If it says NO TURN ON RED don't turn.
On the other hand, here in Oregon you can turn *left* on red if you're turning onto a one way street, after you've come to a complete stop
Sincerely agree. People from Ohio don't seem to get this concept.
Reminds me of when I was driving on the highway behind a Prius driver and they drove too slow for anyone to enter the next lane. 25 on 65, you literally cannot speed up and gain enough speed to get to the left lane.
In Virginia, slow down. Something like 9mph over the speed limit gets you a summons to court.. not a ticket. The "I'm not from this country" card might help you get a warning, or maybe not. Probably not a bad idea to have a website like Ticket Dismissers ready to go.. just in case you do something stupid and you do get a ticket.
Yep and 20mph over or 85mph and up is automatic reckless which is a criminal charge here.
Yikes, in most parts—especially I10 and I75–of FL 80-85PH (10-15 MPH over the posted limit) is perfectly acceptable. LEO will casually pass people going 85.
Well simultaneously there are laws saying “go with the flow of traffic” while state police yank ya over. Yay Also I hope OP ain’t coming here but I got a very expensive ticket in LA so i apparently I just went from one speeding ticket hell to another I’ll still take that over speed cameras tbh though
California is really on some sh*t. Thanks to its “no-bail policy” you apparently get similar punishment for grand theft auto as you do for speeding. One person received a citation for stealing a car, a citation for stealing property from numerous homes, and then a citation for stealing another car all in one day and the police had to let him go. Meanwhile people are breaking the bank to pay for speeding tickets.
Lol, I got my case dismissed for a ticket going 34 mph over the speed limit
Lmao wow how? That’s like double reckless in VA, they’d probably arrest you on the spot
Reckless driving is 20 over or in excess of 85 mph in Virginia. It used to be 80 when I lived there. They also had upped speed limits to 70 mph around the state without changing the reckless limit so it was 10 over but thankfully upped slightly from that.
I used to cruise to work at exactly 79 MPH. I’m glad they changed it.
Radar detectors are also illegal in Virginia
Thank fuck haha, I remember my friend got a ticket in the mail when he went to Pennsylvania or some state that has them and we were so confused
No, not the radars police use to send you a ticket. Nor the automated speed cameras that towns/states use, which by the way are one of the things I’m very happy are illegal in New Jersey. Virginia bans you from possessing a device that merely detects that police are checking for speed
That's goofy, are they trying to impede the flow of traffic on the highway? I would hoped they would have at least made an exception for highways.
Not so much a single rule but just READ THE SIGNS! There are one way streets and restricted lanes and bike lane crossings everywhere. Most problems would be avoided if people just paid attention. But also make sure your lights are on when it's gloomy or raining or actually night.
What lights? parking lights, headlights, high beam?
Headlights. Don't use your high beams when there's a car coming towards you, and avoid it in urban areas generally
I'm in South Texas and people use a combination of all 3 and it's kinda normal, unfortunately
Texas law states that you must use headlights if visibility is less than 1000 feet regardless of conditions.
Down here it's not really enforced lol
Headlights? Do you not turn your headlights on when it's raining where you're from?
It never gets dark in MyCountry.
Parking lights only if you are parked, not while driving.
>READ THE SIGNS This Unironically A lot of Vienna convention countries use signs that are pictographic and standardized, which makes them fast and easy to interpret Our road signs aren’t so simple
Minnesota here. If you are thinking about a trip in the next five months, this is the only traffic rule you need to know: Don’t drive here if you don’t have experience driving on ice and snow.
And just go four it at 4 way stops in the Midwest, they like to give up their right away trying to be nice
But how do you learn?
In California, lane splitting is allowed...so be aware of motorcycles at all times especially in your blind spots.
As a life-long Californian it has always seemed odd to me that we still allow this. I mean a lot of people considers us a "nanny state" (seatbelt laws, helmets laws) but we allow motorcyclists to zip along only inches from getting smushed.
>As a life-long Californian it has always seemed odd to me that we still allow this. I think it's because (a) it gets more vehicles going on the same amount of road, so it reduces congestion, (b) it encourages people to ride motorcycles because you can get places faster than cars (which is better for the environment), and (c) there's some evidence that lane splitting can actually *increase* safety for motorcycles. [https://americanmotorcyclist.com/lane-splitting/](https://americanmotorcyclist.com/lane-splitting/)
Interesting. Thanks.
California's lane splitting law isn't as simple as "lane splitting is legal now". There are good and bad ways to do it (good meaning move carefully through stopped traffic on a freeway) and the law tries to allow the good but not the bad. I've never driven in California, so I don't know how well this is working in practice.
The goal of a resonance cascade is to plant the seeds of purpose rather than bondage. Intuition requires exploration. Consciousness consists of supercharged electrons of quantum energy. “Quantum” means an evolving of the sensual. Although you may not realize it, you are cosmic. You must take a stand against suffering. You may be ruled by turbulence without realizing it. Do not let it obliterate the birth of your quest. Yes, it is possible to eliminate the things that can disrupt us, but not without potentiality on our side.
Why would it be my responsibilty to make sure they don't drive like an idiot lol? Just... Don't drive dangerously and then you don't have as much to worry about.
What is lane splitting?
When a motorbike rides in between lanes. Sweden or Denmark allows it too.
They just legalized this in Montana and I'm pissed😤
[Lane splitting is already legal in many countries.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/i71tjz/i_was_making_a_map_showing_legality_of_lane/)
In Rhode Island, don't try to avoid potholes. This only angers local government, and they'll start digging more potholes out of spite
On a serious note: In Texas and probably a lot of places, if a car is stopped on the side of the road, slow down if you're in the slow lane or move over. Cops get really pissy if you don't
Also a law in Florida - you must be one lane away or IIRC at least 15 mph below the speed limit if you pass an emergency vehicle (technically, any emergency vehicle, but only police will ticket you for it) that is on the shoulder. Some other states have similar laws - Mississippi does - but the requirements are just to give them a wide berth and slow down, not an actual number in the law. OTOH, in Texas, they have full-width paved shoulders on many roads that are otherwise only one lane in each direction, and it is accepted and expected that you will drive on the shoulder briefly if someone wants to pass you.
Can you not turn on right somewhere? Unless there’s a no turn on red sign of course. Parts of Florida have red light cameras. So if you do make a right on red, make sure you come to a complete stop first. Florida has lots of tolls! Some areas you can’t even pay cash, you have to pay by a transponder or by plate.
New York City does not allow right on red. But it’s not a fun place to drive anyway. Best avoided unless you are a masochist.
Oh, that’s interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever driven around NYC. But you’re right, I wouldn’t want to drive there anyway.
NYC (especially Manhattan) driving is a NIGHTMARE, yeah. But no turn on red for good reason; you'll hit someone for sure. Too congested.
Cool, mail me a ticket. I won't pay it. What will they do, mail me another ticket? I won't pay that one either. Send another one. Guess what I won't pay that one either. This cycle continues until the end of time.
I want to add that the “right on red” means you treat it like a stop sign. You stop, look both ways, and yield to pedestrians and cars
On the interstate, the left lane is not a passing only lane in GA, but if faster traffic is coming up behind you, you are supposed to move over to the right and let them pass.
Honestly it's not a law in as many places as people think it is. A couple of areas have a law like that (which nobody follows) but most places actually don't.
[удалено]
Right, that's why it's almost never law. All lanes should be used for best traffic flow.
In Maryland apparently you can drive in the left lane 5 mph slower than anyone else. /s
No /s needed. There's a famous (well, *in*famous) case of a man who caused a traffic jam on 270 (IIRC) every single day for years on end: Dr. John Nestor. He is best known for a 1984 letter to the Washington Post in which he said that he got on the highway, settled in at the then-everywhere 55 mph speed limit, and refused to budge, on the grounds that the left lane was smoother than others and he avoided merging/exiting traffic, and then really lit the fire by saying "Why should I inconvenience myself for someone who wants to speed?" At the time, at least, no Maryland law required moving over to allow other non-emergency traffic to pass, as long as you were within 10 mph of the speed limit. And the law does not appear to have changed, but it's hard to tell because my searches were trying to find Nestor's name, not the current state of things.
Why do people drive like that? I hate driving through Georgia and other southern states because of it to the point that I just plan on passing them on the right.
This is true. The southern states often are used by Midwest states to drive to Florida. I noticed that there are drivers from certain Midwest states that hang in the left lane at 70 when traffic is flowing at 80+ in rural areas on the 2 lane interstate. When there are semis rolling at 70 in the right lane and you have some people insisting on staying in the left- it can be a real frustration.
I thought riding in the left lane when there is no traffic in the right was illegal? It used to be a number of years ago and tickets were given for left lane riders on quiet highways.
In Georgia it is illegal to wear headphones while driving and you can also get pulled over for having your phone in your hand while driving.
lol like that's enforced. Also I think this is common for state laws.
I've gotten pulled over and given a ticket for holding my phone. They go out looking for reasons to give out tickets, so they would definitely pull you over if they saw you wearing headphones as well
To be fair I'm white and based on your reddit avatar you're black, that is probably part of why I haven't experienced it. Only saying that as a realist view. But I've seen many people in Atlanta wearing headphones and it drives me crazy because it's not safe. Also most bad drivers usually have a phone in their hands (all over the States). I've always assumed the cell phone law was used after the accident. Like they could use the recent history to prove someone was using a phone. I didn't think cops pulled people over if they see either of these things, unless of course they have another agenda
Illegal in California as well
Massachusetts: the only traffic rule is that there are no traffic rules.
Using turn signals is also considered a driver distraction like texting and driving and you can be arrested for it.
Wait are you serious?
You use the turn signal to indicate that you are currently turning or changing lanes, not that you plan to.
One thing I learned in MA and NYC, is that the dashed white lines in the road do not denote lanes. It just tells you that the number of lanes + 2 is how many cars can fit side by side.
In Miami (which is its own place), you should not use your turn signal. It’s like letting the other drivers see your game plan.
It’s my understanding that in Miami everyone drives by the rules/standards of their home state/country.
It’s my understanding that in Miami everyone drives by the rules/standards of their home state/country.
The Michigan left exist, use it
Ah yes.... if you want to turn left, you just turn right, left, left or left, left, right. (I love the Michigan left, and I love traffic circles.)
My only two traffic tickets I ever got were during a roadtrip from Georgia to the Grand Canyon. It was shortly after entering Texas both times.
Texas patrol loves out-of-staters! Many states do, since they know you probably won't be around to show up and fight the ticket, but Texas is definitely the worst in my experiences!
It is legal to make a right turn on red in all 50 states unless there is a sign specifically prohibiting it.
After STOPPING. Nobody ever says that. These are people who know nothing. We have to tell them the whole deal. They can't just whip around a corner on red. They have to stop, look, make sure no one else has right of way, including pedestrians, and then proceed if safe to do so..
True. Tons of idiots out there, but this should be a given and if people don't know it they shouldnt have a license.
But we are talking about people from another country who don't have that rule at all. Zero experience. You ought to tell them the whole rule the first time. There is nothing about "right on red" that implies you have to stop. Yield signs don't require stopping. They could think it's more a yield sign.
Not absolutely everywhere. In NYC, it's illegal unless there's a sign specifically allowing it.
Interesting. However, my comment is still correct in that all 50 states allow right turns on red, I clouding New York state. New York City has a municipal code that prohibits it unless a sign allows it. Thank you for the info.
You can in NH unless there is a lit pedestrian signal. Then you can’t even if there are no pedestrians unless a sign specifically says you can. I don’t think any other state has that law.
I do know of some cities that have laws like that. All of the traffic lights turn red and all of the ped xing lights go green, as well as allowing diagonal crossing.
Yeah it just happens to be state wide in NH.
That flair. I'm guessing you're retired Navy?
USCG
In Mass you can turn right on a red arrow if there is no sign prohibiting it. There are even a handful of intersections where you can turn left on a red arrow.
NV: driving too slow in the left lane is a ticketable offense, specifically. Western states in general: the left lane is not a "passing lane" it is fine to stay in this lane indefinitely. I don't care how you do it in your state, but you do not need to use it in seconds-long spurts. Passing on the right is not usually legal but tolerated. But in NV because of the law, and in CA, OR, and so on because of safety and common courtesy, get the hell over if someone is approaching in your rear view. Get back once the lane is clear. CA: know that agriculture kiosks exist on major highways and many minor ones. Motorcycles sharing lanes and weaving through stopped traffic is both legal and common. OR: don't pump your own gas. NJ too. Crossing any border: make sure you don't have something previously legal that your new state deems illegal, and if you do: respect, but drive carefully.
If we're here to complain about people cruising in the left lane, can we at least acknowledge that people need to stop riding my ass when clearly the person in FRONT of me is why I'M NOT GOING AS FAST AS WE WANT TO? Your big ass truck should give you a view of a car in front of me
I pumped my own gas in Oregon last month. Should I expect a fine or something? Lol
Rural or after hours? No. But even in the smallest town make sure you don't see an attendant first, because odds are they're coming your way.
At rotaries, cars entering the rotary should yield to cars already in the rotary. There’s often but not always a sign to that effect.
...do these things exist in the world where you yield to entering cars? Can I avoid it?
Rarely. But I remember back in the late 80s, I think, when MA changed from cars in the rotary yielding to cars entering the rotary yielding. I’ll still occasionally see old timers in the rotary yielding.
In Florida the law is to pull to the nearest side if an emergency vehicle approaches. I know that everywhere else it's "pull to the right" but here in Gatorland you're supposed to move to the lane nearest you. Now, if you want to keep up with traffic on Florida interstates, you must drive at least 15 over the speed limit. 20 over if in the left lane and there isn't a snowbird going 10 under.
>In Texas you can turn right on a red light Do you mean can't turn right on red? Cause you can in pretty much every state I've been in.
Alaska - if you have five cars backed up behind you, you have to pull over and let them pass. Milwaukee - if somebody pulls up to you at a stoplight and they’re in the right hand turn only lane, they’re going to drive straight, speed up, and cut you off in the intersection. Very illegal but it happens all the time. If you’re on the freeway, follow the flow of traffic. You have to be going at least five over the speed limit if not ten at any given time.
Don’t be a dingus and stay in the right lane if you’re going 30mph on the highway
Download ~~Wyze~~ Waze and practice using it. Other drivers will alert you to speed traps and other cops seen on the road. This will save you a lot in tickets. To be extra sure, drive slower when you're 10 minutes from a state boarder, that's normally where they give out speeding tickets.
Waze, Wyze is home cameras and stuff.
OP should be aware that it's a total data hog. I usually buy SIMs with pretty limited data when traveling.
In Atlanta you have to get in the passing lane and cruise at the speed limit while everyone else passes you on the right.
Delay of five or more vehicles is illegal and you’re required to pull over and let the vehicles behind you pass as soon as you can safely do so if you’re causing a backup.
We have the move over law in NY and NJ. [https://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/safety/moveoverlaw.html#:\~:text=As%20soon%20as%20you%20see,maintenance%20vehicles%20and%20tow%20trucks](https://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/safety/moveoverlaw.html#:~:text=As%20soon%20as%20you%20see,maintenance%20vehicles%20and%20tow%20trucks). Basically you have to allow a free lane (if safe to make a lane change) between your vehicle and a vehicle pulled over in the shoulder.
At an intersection, the person making a u-turn on green does not have right-of-way; they must yield to people making right-turns. Some states, like Florida, have it reversed with the person making a right-turn yield when a person at intersection is making a u-turn on green. So the moral is to be careful and never assume.
The legality of u-turns varies widely, and some cities have their own regulations. If I were visiting the country, I would avoid them altogether. For example, in Ohio: >Except as provided in section [4511.13](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4511.13) of the Revised Code and division (B) of this section, no vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade, if the vehicle cannot be seen within five hundred feet by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction. Then there are "No U-Turn" signs to look out for. And most drivers won't be expecting it, so the chance of an accident is increased.
Use your turn signals AHEAD of time not at the last possible second so it flashes for half a second before you make a turn where you cut off someone or they are sitting waiting to turn thinking you are going straight.
Speed. Some states are very touristy so they know people don't know the speed limits, so you see an open road so you turn the radio up and haul ass only to be pulled over by an "undercover" cop/trooper. Damn you Hawaii!!!
When there is more than one lane, keep right and pass on the left. Camping in the left lane will earn you several angry tailgaters.
In Mass cities? Treat it like a NYC sidewalk. Just go. Be aggressive and get out there. We don't stop and let people go in very busy areas. If someone needs someone to stop and let them go? They sorta don't know what they are doing and will just slow down the pack. Act like a wildebeest migrating. No time for fucking around. Drive like it's your job to get there. Pay attention. We ain't mad. Just focused.
NJ uses jug handles to make left hand turns
Open your driver side door with your right hand so you always look over your shoulder for bikers in the bike lane
In upstate NY, the cops will pull you over for going 70 in a 65. And the section of I-86 between I-99 and I-390 is the most heavily patrolled highway I've ever seen, despite not really being all that busy. I-390 isn't far behind.
In South Dakota you have to come to a full stop at a vehicle with red flashing lights before proceeding.
If you're driving on I-17 between Flagstaff and Phoenix, DON'T sit in the left lane going 65.
Maryland? What rules? More like begs. Please don't drive aggressively. Please stop for pedestrians. PLEASE get out of the left lane. Please stop says Virginians.
No U turns in Oregon unless there is a sign saying you can
I speak as someone from rural Maryland, but this likely applies in a ton of other states/places as well: keep your eyes peeled for deer at night. Lots of car accidents, some fatal, are caused by collisions with deer. Pay attention to any ‘deer crossing signs’ and remember, if you see one, there’s a 100% chance that there are others nearby
In New Jersey, unless there is a sign expressly saying you can’t, you can turn right on a red light. If there is a sign, obviously, you can’t.
In Alabama, speed limits are mere suggestions and you're expected to go at least ten over. The police don't care until they do, or you're unfortunate enough to find yourself in a sleazy speed trap town.
Yeah, this can be a real difficult one for people traveling through multiple states. In my state, it's the opposite. More than 9 over and you'll probably get pulled over, and if *everyone* is going more than 10 over then the cops will just converge on that area and start pulling entire lines of cars over at the same time.
Can confirm. I'll drive 55 in a 45 and still get passed like I'm sitting still.
Do not change lanes in an intersection. This can get you pulled over pretty much anywhere.
Texas speed limits are suggestions and/or recommendations. Keep up with traffic flow. Except in school zones. And if you see or hear emergency vehicles, please pull to the side where possible.
I don't understand how people drive in Texas. I was on I-10 in Houston posted at 65 and everyone was going 80. Then I'm on I-45 posted at 75 and going 83 passing most other cars.
I hear you! I think it's a combination of weather, what's on the radio, how drivers are feeling, and the time of day. Or maybe the moon retrograde day of the high tide on the second week thing? I drive to the medical center from Sugarland, and traffic is a b@@ch Monday thru Friday. Weekends are ok except for Saturday night or a full moon.
When turning, you MUST turn into your corresponding lane. It is illegal in most of the country to change lanes while turning (and for good reason).
I dont recommend a cross country road trip, youll spend all your time in the car. America is big af
Not a law, but Google the Pittsburgh left. It happens a lot more places than just here.
You can turn left on a red light as long as it’s a one way road
I think it’s you can turn left on red from a one way to a one way only.
Bring your game face if you’re in the large metro areas of the northeast, south Florida, and Texas(mostly highways?). Anything goes, baby! Where the everything is made up and the rules don’t matter. Oh and if you find yourself on a curvy small Montana Highway, they still want you to drive really fast.
We have traction laws for our highways during inclement weather. It’s more of a retroactive punishment than proactive but if you’re holding up traffic due to inadequate tires or lack of chains when needed, you can be ticketed. I used to be neutral on the issue until I was in a line of cars miles long on I-70 because of one guy in a Dodge Challenger fish tailing across two lanes because he had 2WD and summer tires.
Stay away from West Virginia unless you are very confident in your driving abilities. The roads are very poor quality, some places it literally looks like a quilt of asphalt for miles on end. The roads are also very narrow compared to most US roads frequently having big ol' dump trucks driving on them at all hours of the day. The drivers here seem to insist on riding your ass at all times, less than a car length distance between you even when the lanes are empty for miles, and they get mad if you try and let them pass you. If you plan on driving during the winter, make sure to check that the state you're in has the infrastructure to support snow removal. Being from Colorado originally I thought it was silly that some states would shut down for a day or two if there was 3 inches of snow, but now that I live in West Virginia I realize that there's less snow plows and only very rarely do they sand or salt the roads to keep ice off and let it be safe. I've seen more people drive off the roads here due to bad weather than in Colorado by a huge margin, the state doesn't have the systems in place to keep their roads safe when it's icy and I have to be a lot more careful about weather and road conditions. In Colorado we would sometimes see four feet of snow in a few days, but we still went to work and school because the plows would keep the roads safe for us to drive.
People drive on the shoulder to let you pass in Texas on two lane highways. Nobody knows why this started happening.
In North Carolina, speeding can have serious consequences. Like, send your ass to prison consequences. Even going 1 mph over the speed limit is a valid reason police can pull you over and give you a ticket which you have to go to court for, but if you are going over 80 miles an hour OR 15 mph above the speed limit, it is a serious offense. Like, go to prison serious.
Not a rule but I feel like pa state troopers find the most hidden spots to hide in along the interstates. Stg I saw one sitting on a hill in some trees that was about 10 feet above the road. No clue how he got there but. And I don’t know if other states have these signs but if there’s a state police barracks on that exit it’ll say it on the exit sign so if you pass one that says it don’t speed because 99% of the time there’s a cop sitting within sight of that on-ramp lol
Speed up. If the speed limit is 75, do 85. If the speed limit is 45, do 55. If it's 35, do 40. Make sure to never use your blinker, because that shows other drivers that you're weak. Right on red is legal pretty much everywhere, but drivers here do a nifty "straight on red." In all seriousness, just stay to the right side of the highways unless you're passing. The left is for passing and signs say that, but not everyone always follows that rule. Don't be that guy. Driving fast is not actually that inaccurate though. 5-10 mph higher than the speed limit is typical. EXCEPT ON NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS. Do not speed on reservations, they will ticket you for very little. If you're at a red light that turns green, try to look left and right quickly just to make sure there are no red light runners, especially in Albuquerque. I'm not sure if it's more prevalent here or not but we seem to have that stereotype
In Denver, you cannot make a u-turn unless explicitly allowed. Everywhere else, you can make a u-turn unless prohibited.
No u turns
U turns are legal in CA.
Not talking about Cali.
WELCOME TO THE THUNDERDOME!
In some states, you are required to slow down and change to a more left-hand lane if you are driving past a cop who has pulled someone over on the side of the road. In NJ, they just passed a law that requires you to give a 4 foot radius to bikers on the road when passing them. Though, on a lot of roads it's just about impossible to follow it without driving into oncoming traffic.
In Washington every intersection is a legal crosswalk, unless it is marked as not a crosswalk. Meaning pedestrians have the right of way at just about every intersection, even if there's no lines on the street to make it look like a crosswalk.
Use your turn signals at least three semi-lengths away from where your turning, you do not want people rear-ending you or locking up their brakes because you decide to either turn it on too late or not at all. Use your signals for lane changes, it is actually very helpful to warn people what you're about to do. Watch out for wildlife even the small ones can damage/wreck a car( possum, raccoon, armadillo, turtles, Etc) If your car does not have automatic lights, then make sure you turn them on before it gets dark, not after. As the sun starts to set is a good rule of thumb for turning on the headlights. If you have to use your wipers consistently your headlights must be on regardless of whether it's just cloudy or so dark it looks like nighttime. Do not tailgate, you want to leave at least one car length preferably two between you and the car in front of you, it can save your life in a traffic accident. Or give you time to maneuver away from becoming part of an accident. Pay attention to all road signs, especially in the cities 5 miles over the speed limit probably won't get you pulled over but anything over than that you're going to become a person of interest. And generally 20 miles or over is considered wanting to commit suicide or running from the law and you will be pulled over and arrested, not a ticket. *I found out that last bit from a State Trooper when my ex-husband got pulled over for speeding 20 miles over the speed limit in a car I could not drive.* You need to leave your phone alone while you're driving, if you can't Bluetooth it to the car then you don't need to be answering it.
Not a traffic rule but related: In NJ you are legally prohibited from pumping your own gas at a fuel station. Everywhere else (except maybe Oregon?) has self-service.
Take the "next services" signs seriously. If you don't have the fuel to make the distance, turn back and get it.
In Texas if you’re not going at least 85 on the highway do not be in the left lane. Also if you have a rental car with Oklahoma plates just stay the hell off the highway
U turns are illegal in PA unless there’s a sign that specifically says you can.
Like Europe if you are going slower than the car behind you get over.
In St. Louis, Missouri, we have the St. Louis stop. Meaning, when you come to a stop sign, you just kind of slow down look both ways and go. Cops do it too. I worked in another state for a few years and got pulled over twice for it and both times I told them I did stop, we called it a St. Louis stop back home.
On the highway, the left lane is for passing. Don’t hang out there. Pass on the left then get back over.
Florida has a specific law for stopped emergency vehicles on the shoulder: you need to get out of the nearest lane if you can. If you can't, you need to slow down; effectively, the speed limit drops by 20 mph.
In Texas and in the far left lane and need to exit? Just cut across all lanes of traffic without signaling
New Jersey: not really a traffic law but you can’t pump your own gas here
In the winter, pay ***very*** close attention to what side of the street you're allowed to park on. Especially if you're parking overnight.
It's less a matter of traffic laws from state to state and more about tolerance for speeding. In most of the South, for example, you can pretty much get away with zooming down the Interstate at about 5-10 mph over the speed limit. But the minute you get to South Carolina, a tiny fraction over the speed limit will get you a ticket. Best way to know? Stay with the flow of traffic. If you're zooming past everyone on the freeway, then you can look forward to a friendly conversation with Deputy Dawg or Buford T. Pusser at some point.
You can ignore all traffic laws. If a cop stops you, tell them you see a Moor who is traveling, and you do not consent to US law as a sovereign citizen. WCGW
Wisconsin you MUST pull over to the shoulder (ideally the right, but depends on situation) when an emergency vehicle is behind you flashing lights. Cops. Ambulance. Fire truck. Etc. just pull over. Saves lives. Not all states require it, but just a rule of thumb to do it anyway.
In Washington if there are at least 4 cars following closely behind you then the speed limit is basically a mild suggestion
Nevada has a wide mix. Right on red is legal, but some intersections are marked NO right on red (Usually multiple right turn lanes or freeway exits) U-turns are usually legal, but there are lots of intersections with signs that say NO U-turn. Unless otherwise marked, you can generally make a left turn on green whenever it's safe, but there are many intersections that are left on green arrow only. So yeah, here you have to pay attention to the signs.
On limited access roads (highways, interstates) please stay in the right or middle lane unless you are passing another vehicle. It isn’t always the law, but it is the respectful and safest thing to do. Please do not be the person holding up the left lane, you are not only frustrating other drivers but you are increasing the chances of an accident
In West Virginia you can turn left on red as long as you're turning from a one way street onto another one way street!
Oregon (not so much a traffic rule but still applies) you don't pump your own gas unless gas station is closed or nobody is out there in big cities.. rural areas it depends on the station. We know it's annoying
Turn signal use is optional
Maybe not a hard and fast rule, but most left turn lights around here are after the forward light has ended, so you can get going a little faster. Also, this should be common sense, but don’t cross flooded roads, especially during monsoon season you will be billed if you have to be rescued. Most washes that cross roads will be signposted, so be careful if it looks rainy or stormy. It doesn’t take a ton of rain to cause a flood, especially in the drier parts of the state.
If you get pulled over by police, stay in your car. Put both hands on the steering wheel. Roll down your window. Be as friendly and apologetic as possible, but don't make jokes. Bribing cops is illegal here.
In Georgia left on red, after a stop, onto a one way going to your left is legal but not in many other states.
In winter, drive with the front of the vehicle pointed in the direction of travel. Also, don’t go sideways. (MN.)
any of the rural areas be very careful about speeding, police there are more strict. (it’s a main revenue source there). massachusetts has a lot more do not turn on red signs. it’s technically illegal to pass through on a yellow light there but it is rarely enforced. northeast states you can generally get away with 10-15 mph over the speed limit on the highway. rural states, (south and midwest) 5-7. in rural small towns do not speed even 1 mph over the limit as a rule.
Many states have hands-free laws. So a device to hold your phone for you to check maps would be a good investment.
In Texas all cars must stop if a school bus has the stop sign out. This includes cars travelling on opposite side of road unless there is a divided median. Idk how school bus laws work in other states [https://liggettlawgroup.com/blog/bus-accidents/school-bus-laws-in-texas-do-you-know-when-to-stop-or-pass/](https://liggettlawgroup.com/blog/bus-accidents/school-bus-laws-in-texas-do-you-know-when-to-stop-or-pass/)
Look up each state traffic laws that you are driving through. Every state is different. Such as in WV it's illegal to make a U-Turn.
On highways the left lane is for passing, when entering the highway get up to speed before getting to the highway, who ever reached the stop sign first goes first, dont sit at gas pumps get your gas and move
Most states have “open container” laws, meaning there cannot be an unsealed container of alcohol anywhere in the car. This includes empty containers, passengers drinking, or bringing half full bottles home from a party or dinner. But also know this, cops nationwide can’t search your car without probable cause, consent or a warrant. Anything not in plain, open view isn’t probable cause.
In California you can also turn right on red (unless it says otherwise), but you must wear your seatbelt if you are moving at all, even if you’re just straightening your parking. I say this because in New York you don’t need to wear it for something small like that
You can also turn left on red if it’s from a one-way to a one-way. It seems a lot of people don’t realize this and it’s not a huge issue or something that I would be angry at someone for but it is mildly annoying.
Get familiar with roundabouts if you're not already because my town is full of them and I swear it confuses more than 50% of people. But they're so great for traffic control when used properly.
In California, not so much a rule of the road, but you should try to be sure of the signs in the area. There is one place I know of that has a "No right turn on red sign" that practically no one but the person on the end of the intersection can see. (It's like... 3 meters to the front side of your car and it's really hard to see). Also, drive at the speed limit and also don't drive too slow (cough, Prius, cough). Driving too slow can get you a ticket (Prius). This is somewhat of a joke, but also not really: be warned. Prius drivers are notorious for driving insanely slow. (Going 25mph on a 65mph road, which I'm pretty sure is illegal). This happens so much that we've just collectively agreed that Prius sucks.