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Driving in United States

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    #32
    jme2010
    Registered Users Posts: 974 ✭✭✭jme2010


    Palmy wrote: »
    Few Tips
    If pulled over.......at night turn on the interior lights and if the windows are tinted roll down all windows so the officer approaching can see into your vehicle.(This will put the officer at ease seeing this)

    That's amazing piece of advice I've never thought of doing. Shame it should be like this, but with trigger happy cops in the news you can't be too careful.


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    #33
    readytosnap
    Registered Users Posts: 1,330 ✭✭✭readytosnap


    Green_Martian wrote: »
    Thanks all for the replies, really helpful esp the details of what to do if pulled over by a cop:D


    Have car hired through travel agent so just wasn't sure what process was with paper license etc.

    Here are the rental details:
    ALAMO CAR RENTAL
    FULL SIZE, Ford (Full Size) Fusion (or Similiar) FCAR
    Gold Plus GPS includes Additional Drivers over 25/CDW

    Splash out a little, no point going all the way to the states to drive a ford mondeo (fusion), try something a bit more thrilling like a nice vert or muscle car last few times we had a chevy camaro ss and a dodge challenger hemi, you would be surprised at the cost it is (was) not overly expensive. great fun to drive. Been to the states about 30 times (at least 16 different states) have never been stopped by the police.


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    #34
    él statutorio
    Registered Users Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭él statutorio


    Palmy wrote: »
    Few Tips

    If on the interstate and emergency vehicles are on the hard shoulder and you cant move across to another lane because of traffic, slow down to 20mph under the recommended speed limit as you pass (This is the law)If pulled over stay in your vehicle until you are approached by the officer DO NOT EXIT the vehicle under any circumstances unless directed. At night turn on the interior lights and if the windows are tinted roll down all windows so the officer approaching can see into your vehicle.(This will put the officer at ease seeing this)When you are approaching a School bus from behind or oncoming in front of you, you will see flashing strobe lights when it is planning to stop. If there is NO BARRIER/MEDIAN you have to stop from either way. You can not pass a School bus when it is stopped or slowing down to let kids off. This will get you a hefty fine if you do pass.Other than that have fun,driving is a piece of cake as the roads are so big here.In Orlando if you don't have a Sun Pass on you rental that you activate (some will try and charge you a flat rate per day which is a rip) make sure you have small notes and coins to pay tolls.

    This bit, I got pulled over in NY state for not stopping for a bus, on the opposite side of the road, 5 lanes across from me. I talked my way out of the ticket (Irished it up) but that's one to watch out for.


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    #35
    dave2pvd
    Registered Users Posts: 1,511 ✭✭✭dave2pvd


    jme2010 wrote: »
    faceman wrote: »
    Seeing as its your first time OP here's a couple of friendly driving tips

    I seen this a lot and just done it as rule of thumb. If you see a cop car/emergency vehicle pulled over on the interstate, give him a full lane of space as a buffer. If he is in the hard shoulder on a 3 lane road give him the 1st lane and you use the middle our outside one.

    One more. FREE RIGHT TURNS. Some city's don't allow them, but there will be signs stating specifically if you can not make the turn. "NO TURN ON RED"

    Just think of them as a yield sign, look for traffic/pedestrians and break the red light slowly as you turn right. Some people may beep you if you don't take the free right turn. Don't feel pressured to make it.

    Good advice re moving over for emergency vehicles. Same should apply for any vehicle stopped on the shoulder.

    The right on red advice is not entirely accurate:
    • Right turn on red is allowed everywhere except New York City (unless signed otherwise).
    • It's not like a yield sign as you have to come to a complete stop before proceeding.

    Also, if you're trying to make a right turn, whether on red or otherwise, watch out for cars coming the opposite direction making a left. You'll both be competing for the same piece of road. If you were turning on red, he has right away. If you were turning on green, he may still have the right away if there was a yield sign on your side of the intersection.

    OP, to avoid hassle and to make it easier to carry, 'lose' your antique folding licence and get a modern one. Even though the Irish licence doesn't really look like a licence, you are unlikely to have issues picking up the rental in Orlando. You might have issues if pulled over by a cop. Some bars/restaurants may questions its validity - the probability of this varies by jurisdiction.


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