The first thing to know when driving on the road is the traffic rules. What are the essential traffic rules that new immigrants in the United States must know? WorldWay Immigration experts summarize the 11 essential traffic rules for new immigrants:
1. Always keep to the right for pedestrians and vehicles
The U.S. government has established "pedestrian priority, vehicles yield to pedestrians" as a fundamental traffic rule. Whenever a pedestrian steps onto a crosswalk, all vehicles, regardless of size, must stop to give way.
2. Always wear a seatbelt
All states require drivers and passengers in the front seat to wear seatbelts. Many states have stricter regulations requiring all passengers in regular cars to wear seatbelts; failure to do so may result in penalties.
3. Do not honk the horn while driving
Most cities in the U.S. stipulate that cars may only honk when necessary; generally, honking is prohibited, and it is not allowed to honk to speed up traffic.
4. Slow down when passing schools
Drivers should exercise extra caution when they see yellow school buses picking up or dropping off students. If a school bus is stopped, drivers must stop and allow children to cross the road first.
5. Ensure child safety seats are used
U.S. law mandates that children aged 12 and under must sit in the back seat, and infants under 4 years old must use special seating devices or safety seats.
6. Always signal when changing lanes
Drivers must signal not only when turning but also when changing lanes. If you are driving on a wide road and are positioned on the far right, you must signal left before moving into the left lane or into the path of oncoming vehicles.
7. Absolutely no drinking and driving
Drunk driving is a serious issue in the U.S., and penalties for driving under the influence are very strict across states, including fines, points on the license, and in severe cases, imprisonment.
8. Pull over for emergency vehicles
When you see or hear the lights and sirens of emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks, or ambulances, you must pull over. Even if you are driving in a lane with a green light, you should stop to allow emergency vehicles to pass safely.
9. Do not stop on highways and fast lanes
Stopping is prohibited on busy roads, such as what Americans refer to as highways and fast lanes. If you encounter a problem or need to check a map, you should pull over to the side of the road.
10. Pay attention to parking signs
Parking rules vary slightly from city to city. These rules can change at different times of the day or week, even within the same city, so be sure to carefully observe the signs when parking. For example, there are often signs along the road stating "no overtaking" or "overtaking with caution" to remind you to pay attention to these rules.
11. Always use headlights when driving at night
The rules regarding vehicle signal lights vary worldwide. However, in the U.S., when driving at night, whether in urban or rural areas, headlights must be turned on.
