Car Culture: Road Rules

Keep in mind that the United States is one of the only countries in the world that does not use the metric system so distances and speeds are measured in miles, not kilometers. Although it varies, the typical speed limit on highways is 65mph. Make sure you are aware of the speed limit or are at least “keeping up with the flow of traffic” because the highway patrol enforce it. The National Motorists Association says the states which are most likely to give you a speeding ticket are Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Texas, and Alabama. You could get pulled over for:

  • Texting while driving
  • Using your cell phone at all while driving in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. Also applies in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
  • Not wearing a seatbelt
  • Not using a turn signal indicator or coming to a complete stop among other infractions
  • Failure to use headlights at night or wet weather, or if one of your lights is out
  • Expired registration tags
  • Speeding

If you do get stopped by the police, don’t panic! Pull over to the side of the road into a safe and well-lit area. Turn your vehicle off and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Be prepared to present your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and proof of registration.

Youth Culture: Benefits and Drawbacks
Car Culture: Buying and Leasing