United States summary
Key facts
Official language(s)
Currency
Population
Time zone
Calling code
Drive on the
Member of the EU
English
United States dollar
306,892,000
GMT -5 to -10
+1
Right
No
Local weather
Washington, DC
-
Sat15° | 27° -
Sun18° | 26° -
Mon18° | 24° - Tue19° | 26°
Speed limits
- Motorways:
- The speed limit in most states is 110 kmh (65 mph) except where signs indicate slower speeds. Speed limits are strictly enforced by radar in many states (especially the eastern highly populated areas). Speeding in any road construction area is strictly enforced with very heavy penalties in most states
- Open roads:
- The speed limit in most states is 110kmh (65 mph) except where signs indicate slower speeds
- Towns:
- The speed limit in front of every school is 17kmh (15 mph) when the warning lights are flashing
Road Safety
-
Alcohol limit:
- Across most states in the USA laws against driving under the influence of alcohol are strict and follow a policy of zero tolerance
- Motorists will also find that most states only allow alcohol to be transported in the boot of a vehicle
-
Use of mobile phone whilst driving:
- Cell phone usage in vehicles is becoming illegal throughout the USA, but laws do vary by state
- Some states do allow the use of hands free sets while driving
- Please check with the rental agent
-
Seat belts:
- It is compulsory for front seated occupants to wear seat belts
- Children under the age of five years must be restrained in a child safety seat or by a seatbelt
- The failure of motorists to wear seat belts and properly restrain young children in the vehicle are fineable offences
-
Traffic lights regulations:
- Green – Go
- Red – Stop
- Yellow/Amber – Caution, stop if possible
- Flashing Red – same as stop sign
- Flashing Amber – proceed with caution
- Flashing Green – advanced left turn only
Costs
- Road tolls:
- The USA has an extensive system of
interstate highways and state maintained roads - Some of the major highways are toll roads often
called turnpikes, but most are free
- The USA has an extensive system of
- On the spot fines:
- Depending on the state, fines can be
made on the spot for traffic offences
- Depending on the state, fines can be
General motoring advice
- Rush hour in built up areas:
- Rush hour in major city centres is from 0730 – 0930hrs and 1530 – 1900hrs
- Fuel:
- Filling stations are abundant in the USA
- It is actually a traffic offence in some states, such as California, to run out of fuel
- Almost all filling stations accept major credit cards
- Filling stations expect you to pay for fuel before filling up
- Parking advice:
- Parking on one or both sides of a road is commonly permitted, though often with restrictions
- Parking facilities are constructed in combination with most buildings, to facilitate the coming and going of the buildings' users
- Each International Airport provides plenty of airport parking at safe and secure lots with prompt, reliable shuttle service