Page 34 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

32  VISITING THE USA

Travel by Road In and around cities, a
complicated system of ring
Away from major cities, where traffic can be frustrating, roads, link roads, and spur
driving in the United States is a delightful experience. Driving roads are also part of the
is a favorite American pastime, and to see the country in all its Interstate system. These
glory, you have to drive a car. Major roads and most highways roads are often better known
by name than number, for
are rarely crowded, and drivers are generally courteous and instance I-405 in Southern
safe. Gasoline in the US is comparatively inexpensive, and car California is referred to as the
rental rates are also reasonable. You can get by without a car “San Diego Freeway.”
in a few larger towns, and in cities like New York, Boston, or Most Interstates are free,
San Francisco you will probably be better off without one. but some states charge tolls.
These sections, known as
However, in most of the country, and especially if you want “turnpikes,” have the same
to explore the wide open spaces of the western US, you will numbers as sections without
need a car since public transportation there is limited. toll booths.
Before the Interstate
Highway System came into
Types of Road Stretching all across the use, the primary long-distance
The US has an excellent network country in an east-to-west and highways were federal ones.
of roads, with over 4 million north-to-south grid, Interstate Today, these are the main
miles (6 million km) of paved Highways are abbreviated on routes in rural areas and are
roads open to the public. For signs with a capital “I,” followed officially signed as “US” and a
long-distance trav elers, the by a number. The main number, ranging from US-1
fastest and most convenient Interstates start with I-5 on the along the East Coast to
part of the US highway system is West Coast and end with I-95, US-101 along the West Coast.
the Interstate Highway, a high- the busy main route along the Lined by neon-lit motels,
speed, limited-access highway. East Coast. Transcontinental and other classic landmarks
Some have between 6 and 12 Interstates run east-to-west and of roadside America, these
lanes running both directions, range from I-10 between Florida roads are slower but more
while rural areas generally have and California to I-90 between enjoy able to drive on, and
2 or 3 lanes. Boston and Seattle. along with many other state
Rules of the Road
• All traffic drives on the right. • Cargo-carrying heavy trucks generally stay in the
• All distances are measured in miles. slow lane. Keep your distance from these vehicles,
• Seat belts are compulsory, and children under the because they have poor visibility and enormous
age of 4 are required to have special car seats. weight and size.
• At traffic signals, green lights mean you can • On multi-lane highways traffic can pass only on
proceed safely; amber lights mean prepare to the left-hand side. On smaller roads safe passing
stop; and red lights mean stop. A flashing red places are indicated with a broken yellow line on
light means stop before proceeding; and a your side of the double yellow line.
flashing yellow light means proceed • Speed limits vary from state to state, but range
with caution. from 25 mph (40 km/h) in residential areas to
• At a red octagonal stop sign, traffic must come to 65–75 mph (105–120 km/h) on highways.
a complete halt before proceeding. When two or • There is a minimum speed of 45 mph (72 km/h)
more cars reach a stop sign simultaneously from on highways and Interstate Highways. Farm traffic
different sides of the intersection, drivers must and pedestrians are not permitted on Interstates.
yield to traffic on the right. • Parking is allowed on most streets, subject to
• A yellow triangular yield sign directs you to give posted rules, but any restrictions are posted at the
way to other traffic. site. Park only in the direction of travel. If you
• In towns and cities, roads are usually divided by a receive a ticket, pay it immediately or it will be
painted center line (usually white). Smaller streets charged (with a penalty) to the rental car
may have no dividing line. company, who will collect it from your credit card.
• On all roads, a double yellow line means do not • Visitors should be aware of regional exceptions to
pass or cross the lines. the standard US driving laws. Some of these are
• Some roads have a central lane, protected by pointed out in the “Practical Information” section
painted single lines; this is a designated turning of each chapter.
area for making left-hand turns. • Most foreign licenses are valid, but if your license
• “U” turns are legal only where posted. is not in English, or does not have a photo ID, you
• On multi-lane highways, the fastest traffic travels must get an International Driver’s License.
in the left-hand lanes; slower traffic occupies the • Drunk driving is a serious offense and can result in
right-hand lane. a heavy fine or jail term.

032-033_EW_USA.indd 32 11/2/16 2:43 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm