Moving from CA- different driving rules? (Memphis: school, closing, live)

[CrossCountryUrbanite]

Hi guys-

So, can you turn right on red in Memphis?

I read you can't do U-turns in intersections w/ lights, just ones without lights, right?

Anything else?

Parking stuff?

Any other legal stuff specific to just TN we should know about?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Robert_J]

Right on red unless otherwise posted. I'm not sure about U-turns but I have done a few that had a median separating the lanes.

Anything else? Where do I start. There are no rules. Consider every other car someone who just got their license. You will witness things that baffle you in both common sense and safety. A few years ago there was a report that if you were in a car wreck in Memphis you were more likely to die in it than any other city in the US. I don't know whether that was a black mark against emergency services or when someone screws up they screw up big time.

[DubbleT]

http://tennessee.gov/safety/dlhandbo...yGuide2007.pdf ~chapter four has a lot of TN specific info.
A couple of things I found different from the state I moved from some years ago, child safety seat laws, passing a school bus, funerals, railroad crossings, lights on when windsheild wipers are on.

[ladybug35]

No matter how bad you drive, you won't be the worst driver here. I promise.

One thing to look out for is that a lot of times, particularly on streets like Union Ave., you can't turn left at stoplights. It doesn't make sense when there isn't any traffic, but when there is, turning left at stoplights without a turn lane would be impossible. These are well-marked though.

Parking is pretty much open. Unless it specifically says "DON'T PARK HERE OR YOU'LL GET TOWED," you can probably park there, as long as it's not in front of a driveway, alley, or fire hydrant like anywhere else.

[fittoac]

I think you can pretty much make a U-turn at any intersection unless there is a sign saying otherwise. (I do, anyway!)

And yes, you can turn right on red.

I also moved here from California about 2 1/2 years ago. Welcome!

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by fittoac

I think you can pretty much make a U-turn at any intersection unless there is a sign saying otherwise. (I do, anyway!)

And yes, you can turn right on red.

I also moved here from California about 2 1/2 years ago. Welcome!

You've been lucky so far. Tn places a lot of restrictions on u-turns.
//www.city-data.com/forum/13175218-post2.html
Drive safely now, hear.

[fittoac]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

You've been lucky so far. Tn places a lot of restrictions on u-turns.
//www.city-data.com/forum/13175218-post2.html
Drive safely now, hear.

Oooops! I hang my head in shame.

I think the only time I've made a U-turn that is against the law, according to those listed in your post, is at a traffic light where no "No U-turn" signs are present. I now know otherwise!

[(901)]

The Interstate System here it what is really dangerous. Its like a free for all. No speed limits, no turn signal and weaving in & out of traffic is the norm

Just the other day, I was going 70 in a 55. I look in my mirror and there is a Shelby County Cop closing in on me quick. I changed lanes and he just blew right past me going at least 80-85 mph(no lights or sirens)

My best advice would be stay in the slow lane till you get adjusted to this type of driving

[fittoac]

Originally Posted by (901)

Just the other day, I was going 70 in a 55. I look in my mirror and there is a Shelby County Cop closing in on me quick. I changed lanes and he just blew right past me going at least 80-85 mph(no lights or sirens)

This exact scenario happens to me at least once a week. I really have never lived in any other city where cops drive like this!

[rsgillmd]

Fittoac, it isn't just Shelby county. A couple of weeks ago (February) I was driving back on 40 from Nashville. I was in the left lane passing a truck that was amazingly driving below the speed limit when the next thing I know I have a car tailgating me. I finally pass the truck and get into the right lane and see that the car tailgating me was some police car (don't remember the city's name now). I would have expected better from a police officer.

I've been fortunate in that I haven't been nearly run over by a MPD or Shelby County police car yet. But I do agree that there is some strange driving habits out there. But I can live with them. I've seen worse in NJ/NY area.

What gets to me is the lack of respect people have for the elements, particularly snow. I deliberately did not go out on the road earlier today when I saw it was raining pretty hard. Doing so would probably be asking for trouble.