Advice on driving etiquette in the United States of America (hotel, law)

[Mark O]

Hi, in September I'll be having a vacation in your beautiful Country, I'm driving some fair distances, my first question is when driving on multi-lane highways and freeways should you keep to the right-side lane at all times except when overtaking (as here (on left) in Britain), or is it acceptable to remain in the lane you happen to be in, also is 'undertaking' permissible? as in passing a vehicle on a lane to it's right.........undertaking is heavily frowned on in Britain.

Also do drivers flash headlights if giving way to someone? (as in letting a car join a highway from a sliproad), or do you just give a gap for the vehicle to enter without flashing?

Any other tips or advice is most welcome, thank you!

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by Mark O

Hi, in September I'll be having a vacation in your beautiful Country, I'm driving some fair distances, my first question is when driving on multi-lane highways and freeways should you keep to the right-side lane at all times except when overtaking (as here (on left) in Britain), or is it acceptable to remain in the lane you happen to be in, also is 'undertaking' permissible? as in passing a vehicle on a lane to it's right.........undertaking is heavily frowned on in Britain.

Also do drivers flash headlights if giving way to someone? (as in letting a car join a highway from a sliproad), or do you just give a gap for the vehicle to enter without flashing?

Any other tips or advice is most welcome, thank you!

Since state law varies, as do some laws on individual highways, it's a safe bet to stay in the right lane unless you are overtaking someone. You can't go wrong doing that.

You can also "undertake" someone (LOL, that's a cute phrase that we don't use!) - should be no problem.

Not sure about all areas of the country, but in the South, people don't generally flash their headlights to give way to someone - they just leave a gap.

If you will be traveling in the American South, there is a tradition you should know about. If you see a long line of cars approaching, with their headlights on, it's a funeral procession. In many parts of the South, particularly Texas, all other cars pull over and stop, to honor the dead. Whatever you do, do NOT inject yourself into that line of cars. (A funeral procession would only be during the daytime, and is usually escorted by at least one police vehicle, but you may come across one from a side street and miss the police car - just a heads' up).

Also, in many parts of the South if a vehicle is in the right lane or on a two lane road, and it's going slow for whatever reason, the driver may voluntarily pull to the shoulder and continue driving. This is a courtesy to you and an indication that you should pass this vehicle. Go ahead and pass it - it's OK!

Good luck!

[313Weather]

Driving in the US is pretty simple once you get the hang of it.

The main thing is just keeping up with the flow of traffic. When entering a highway, you must make sure that you're entering from the entrance ramp at the same speed the flow of traffic on the highway is, otherwise someone can slam into the back of you. The proper etquette is for someone to leave an opening for you if they see you entering the highway (as in get out of the entrance lane), but it's also your job to drive at the right speed to find an opening yourself.

As far as passing, proper etiquette is to pass on the left, and in some places you may get a ticket if you're caught passing on the right (plus, it's not safe to do so because the traffic on the right tends to be slower), but tons of people do safely pass on the right if they must and there's no traffic in that lane (including myself).

One thing I will tell you about driving on highways in America is that in some states you can get a ticket if they catch you driving in the left lane too long, as it's only considered a passing lane. That's not the same in all states though. In Detroit for example, it's perfectly legal to drive in the left lane without passing on a road/highway if it 3-lanes or wider.

[313Weather]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

Also, in many parts of the South if a vehicle is in the right lane or on a two lane road, and it's going slow for whatever reason, the driver may voluntarily pull to the shoulder and continue driving. This is a courtesy to you and an indication that you should pass this vehicle. Go ahead and pass it - it's OK!

To add to what you said about two-lane highways...

If the person doesn't pull over, it's perfectly legal for you to pass them on the other side of the road (where the cars would be driving the other direction) if there's no traffic.

Also as far as one way intersections go, at least in Detroit, it's perfectly legal to make a left turn on red onto a one way if traffic's clear. That only matters if you're going to be doing urban driving, but it could be different depending on what city/state you're in.

[Gnutella]

Basic driving etiquette

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Failure to do any of the above will make people hate you and be perfectly justified in doing so.

[iNviNciBL3]

Stay to the right unless if your passing slower traffic, try not to pass on the right, most here take offense when you flash your lights or beep at them. you will run into very rude drivers weaving in and out of traffic and the ones blocking the passing lane so be aware of whats going on around you.

[Ghengis]

With the many regional sports in the US, you are likely to see someone trying to get your attention and letting you know that their team is #1. It would be considered polite to reciprocate in kind, and let them know that you think the whole US is #1 in your eyes.

[Mark O]

Thank you for your replies everyone, keep to the right it is then!

I'm aware it's legal to turn right on a red light (unless signed), but I've only just learned from another post that one is required to 'stop' before actually turning right even if there's no traffic approaching from the left and centre-left.

The actual driving I'm doing is on the first week of my vacation from Denver to Rapid City via Cheyenne, Douglas, Wright, and Gillette, then returning to Denver Airport the shorter but more twisting route Bing maps have planned.

The second week of my vacation will be spent at a Hotel in Burbank, CA, therefore I'll be driving from LAX Airport to Burbank, then to places such as Long Beach (for Queen Mary), and Hollywood, travelling to Downtown LA will be done on the Subway.

Looking forward immensely to visiting Uncle Sam..

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by 313Weather

To add to what you said about two-lane highways...

If the person doesn't pull over, it's perfectly legal for you to pass them on the other side of the road (where the cars would be driving the other direction) if there's no traffic.

Also as far as one way intersections go, at least in Detroit, it's perfectly legal to make a left turn on red onto a one way if traffic's clear. That only matters if you're going to be doing urban driving, but it could be different depending on what city/state you're in.

I think this needs clarification.

It is only legal to pass in the lane for oncoming traffic if the dotted line is on your side of the the lane - this means this is a passing zone. A solid line on your side of the lane means NO PASSING, even if you think the coast is clear.

[KathrynAragon]

Also, in the South it's very common for drivers in oncoming traffic to lift a finger or two off their steering wheel in a sort of small wave. They are not being rude, they are in fact being friendly. Just do it back to them - just be careful you don't use your middle finger! LOL It's usually the first one or two fingers of the top hand on the wheel.