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[hello2006]

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[15-20_God]

they drive on the left side of the road and you have to go through a drive-thru every 15 miles.

[pupazzo]

You are allowed to reverse on the highway if you miss an exit

[GangStarr]

There are really no differences between driving here and in the US. Obviously speed is measured there in miles and distances will be expressed in miles and yards.

Some states (ny for example) have a "wipers on, head lights on rule" so if you use your wipers turn your full lighting system on.

Other then that understand that some of the smaller highways (US routes) may have very short, sharp or otherwise dangerous turn ramps actually requiring you to slow down substantially in a short distance.

Also having to merge on a 45 mile an hour road at a 90 degree angle is not uncommon in some states.

Make sure you have some change and small bills available in case of any toll roads / bridges.

[jcon]

Give everyone the one finger salute. It's considered a complement.

[win-star]

people, people, you are forgetting that you are allowed to do "fast and furious" stunts on their roads.

[jcon]

people, people, you are forgetting that you are allowed to do "fast and furious" stunts on their roads.

How's that any different from Canadian laws?

[hello2006]

There are really no differences between driving here and in the US. Obviously speed is measured there in miles and distances will be expressed in miles and yards.

Some states (ny for example) have a "wipers on, head lights on rule" so if you use your wipers turn your full lighting system on.

Other then that understand that some of the smaller highways (US routes) may have very short, sharp or otherwise dangerous turn ramps actually requiring you to slow down substantially in a short distance.

Also having to merge on a 45 mile an hour road at a 90 degree angle is not uncommon in some states.

Make sure you have some change and small bills available in case of any toll roads / bridges.

thanks

[dealguy2]

I'm not sure if this is really a "BC thing" vs everywhere else in the world thing but I find in the US that if you are merging on to the highway people let you in. You are also expected to let someone in if they are merging because they will merge no matter what you do. In BC this is not the case.

[M@rk]

In New York, you can't make a right turn on red.

[voodoomusic]

In New York, you can't make a right turn on red.

To be clear, this is only the case within the 5 boroughs of NYC. Elsewhere in New York state, right on red is allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign at the intersection.

More importantly, if you drive on interstates keep in mind that speeding tickets are a major revenue stream for the small communities near the larger highways. This means that there's a lot more, and much more stringent, enforcement of speeding overall. If you are going faster than about 78 in a 65 zone (even if the road is clear and empty and weather is beautiful) and there are cops patrolling (you won't see them before they see you unless you have a radar detector, which is illegal in most states), expect a ticket. It has nothing to do with safety, it's all about making money. I do not find this to be the case in Canada, you don't see lots of people getting pulled over on the 401 for doing 120.

New York shares ticket information with Ontario (meaning you'll end up with points for any tickets you pick up there); most other neighbouring states, in my experience, do not. This also means that if you get a ticket in NY and don't pay, your license will end up suspended; not sure about other states, but you would probably end up with a bench warrant that would result in arrest if you got pulled over in that state again.

I lived in the U.S. for 6 years and found the differing approaches on speeding to be the biggest difference.

[xstatik]

Two Main Rules in the USA!!
1. Slow on the Right, Fast on the Left
2. The Posted Speed Limit is actually the Speed Limit (unlike in Ontario, where 100kmh actually means 120kmh)

[CHINAdeals]

To be clear, this is only the case within the 5 boroughs of NYC. Elsewhere in New York state, right on red is allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign at the intersection.

More importantly, if you drive on interstates keep in mind that speeding tickets are a major revenue stream for the small communities near the larger highways. This means that there's a lot more, and much more stringent, enforcement of speeding overall. If you are going faster than about 78 in a 65 zone (even if the road is clear and empty and weather is beautiful) and there are cops patrolling (you won't see them before they see you unless you have a radar detector, which is illegal in most states), expect a ticket. It has nothing to do with safety, it's all about making money. I do not find this to be the case in Canada, you don't see lots of people getting pulled over on the 401 for doing 120.

New York shares ticket information with Ontario (meaning you'll end up with points for any tickets you pick up there); most other neighbouring states, in my experience, do not. This also means that if you get a ticket in NY and don't pay, your license will end up suspended; not sure about other states, but you would probably end up with a bench warrant that would result in arrest if you got pulled over in that state again.

I lived in the U.S. for 6 years and found the differing approaches on speeding to be the biggest difference.

Thanks for clarifying this. I don't think I make right turns on reds even in buffalo but good to know.

How about other states?

[joeyjoejoe]

Two Main Rules in the USA!!
1. Slow on the Right, Fast on the Left
2. The Posted Speed Limit is actually the Speed Limit (unlike in Ontario, where 100kmh actually means 120kmh)

Not quite. It's passing only on the left. Technically you are going faster in the left lane, but once you pass, you got to get out of the left lane.

Other things to note: Speed limits are not consistant between State to State. Also some States have weird rules (like not allowed to mount GPS on windshield).

[andrec2g]

In some county, you might have to pay the fine right away.
If you don't have money with you, they escort you back to the police station.

[mkerian]

In some county, you might have to pay the fine right away.
If you don't have money with you, they escort you back to the police station.

That's called a bribe.

[xstatik]

Not quite. It's passing only on the left. Technically you are going faster in the left lane, but once you pass, you got to get out of the left lane.
.

You are right, I meant that but you said it better.. :)

Unlike in Ontario, where you have some idiot, driving 80 in a 100 zone in the left lane! In the USA, that idiot would be shot!

[johnboy]

Don't speed in Florida, period. Maybe 5 over on the highway, but that's about it. If you drive through a small town and have those speed limit strictly enforced signs, don't even think about going 1 mile over.

[najibs]

what are the differences in driving in the u.s compared to here? never drove there and will be soon

If a cop turns on his lights when he's right behind you, it just means he wants to race you.

[ronin893]

Don't speed in Florida, period. Maybe 5 over on the highway, but that's about it. If you drive through a small town and have those speed limit strictly enforced signs, don't even think about going 1 mile over.Same goes for Georgia. "Tourists dollars" in Georgia are the Disney World tourists getting ticketed for speeding while passing through the state to get to Florida. Unless you need to stop for gas or a bathroom break, always stay on the interstate until you reach Orlando.

[chickenbones]

I would beware that many "merging" lanes are actually Yielding lanes not really merging lanes. I don't really see these in Toronto a lot (at least for merging on to main highways.

Watch for the Yield Sign (Red Triangle). Don't try to power through it like a merging lane, other cars expect you to stop & Yield till there's a big enuf gap. (I know duhh).

[voodoomusic]

Thanks for clarifying this. I don't think I make right turns on reds even in buffalo but good to know.

How about other states?

Legal everywhere in North America except NYC and the island of Montreal:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_on_red

Expect to get honked at if you don't make a right on red where it's allowed. Most of the Americans I know would lose it if they were sitting behind you at a red with your right blinker going and not turning for no explicable reason.

[pkguy]

the rules vary state by state just as they vary province by province here. Somebody mentioned merging.. In Alberta both motorists have equal rights and the motorist already on the highway MUST move over or make a gap for the entering motorist. Signage to that effect is occasionally posted at entranceways to remind folks.

[Topher]

Thanks for clarifying this. I don't think I make right turns on reds even in buffalo but good to know.

How about other states?

Most states allow right on red. I know Pennsylvania does, unless there is a sign prohibiting it.

Also, some states do not allow radar detectors, and some do. You'd have to Google to find out which ones do and don't, though, as I have no idea which states allow it.

[blainehamilton]

If you cut someone off or give them the finger, you had better have a gun to back you up...

[win-star]

If a cop turns on his lights when he's right behind you, it just means he wants to race you.


That will be funny if he was driving a Viper or similar and took your advice seriously ... the whole police force would be after him

[olympic]

Regarding radar detectors in the USA,

District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) - (2009) - RADAR-detectors are illegal.

Virginia - (2009) - Use is illegal.

IF YOU'RE A TRUCKER:

RADAR Detectors are illegal period in ALL states for all "commercial" vehicles over 10,000 pounds! (2009)

ON A MILITARY BASE:

Use and sale of a RADAR Detector on military bases is illegal per DoDI 6055.04 update (April 20, 2009)


Illinois - (2009) - Not regulated in passenger vehicles, but they are illegal used in commercial motor vehicles over 26,001 pounds (which is redundant legislation, since Federal law already makes that illegal in any U.S. state for vehicles over TEN-thousand pounds, anyway; BUT, some states like to have it in their lawbooks so that they can charge added fines and penalties that would go to the state).

Minnesota - (2009) - Radar detectors not specifically regulated, BUT - hanging things from windshields not permitted. If one were to put two and two together, then this would supposedly include radar-detectors if they were hung from the windshield. However, I suppose one could also infer that they would be okay if simply rested upon the top of the dashboard. The law does not specify that it is not. So...

New York - (2009) - For motor vehicles over 18,000lbs, and any other commercial vehicle over 10,000lbs, RADAR-detectors are illegal. [This is already covered by Federal law, as well.]

[CHINAdeals]

Legal everywhere in North America except NYC and the island of Montreal:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_on_red

Expect to get honked at if you don't make a right on red where it's allowed. Most of the Americans I know would lose it if they were sitting behind you at a red with your right blinker going and not turning for no explicable reason.

thanks for this! good to know!

[Emancipated]

I'm not sure if this is really a "BC thing" vs everywhere else in the world thing but I find in the US that if you are merging on to the highway people let you in. You are also expected to let someone in if they are merging because they will merge no matter what you do. In BC this is not the case.

Find it hard to believe somewhere in the book it says you're not required to let people merge. What kind of asinine rule is that? What's the wording on this particular rule because it's likely you're misinterpreting it.

[chickenbones]

I'm not sure if this is really a "BC thing" vs everywhere else in the world thing but I find in the US that if you are merging on to the highway people let you in. You are also expected to let someone in if they are merging because they will merge no matter what you do. In BC this is not the case.

Yea, I see most ppl will try to move to the middle lane when ppl are merging. They do this a lot more often than ppl here in TO. Even trucks on the highway, they move over when they see me entering the merging lane from the service centre.