Inter-state driving law references

Inter-state driving law references - Anonymous policeman checking car on street

There are many traffic laws in the United States which may vary from one state to another, which residents of each state may have come to take for granted. Is there any sort of motorists' guide to these laws, and where and how they vary?

Here's some particular examples of items I'm looking for:

  • Right turn on red.
  • U-turn.
  • Passing in the right lane.
  • Non-passing usage of the left lane.
  • Left turn on red, from a one-way to a one-way.
  • Cell phone usage.


Best Answer

Heh, there are some awesome ones, especially as the US was the first country I'd experienced where people drive on the right hand side. Anyway..

This site:

http://www.gjel.com/news/state-driving-laws.html

Covers a LOT of the differences - in regards to ages, permits, cellphone / handheld laws, and older driving restrictions.

http://www.novacarhire.com/blog/article/8-tips-for-driving-in-the-united-states.html is an interesting blog post on the matter, and mentions some of the speeding, seatbelt and drinking laws.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety covers even more : http://www.iihs.org/laws/

And finally, the ultimate resource:

http://public.findlaw.com/traffic-ticket-violation-law/state-traffic-law/

has the driving and road code for every single state in the United States. Even Iowa ;)




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Answer 2

Generally speaking the question is too broad. There is information on some of the issues available on Wikipedia:

  1. Right Turn on Red
  2. Left Turn on Red
  3. Pass on the Left and Right
  4. U-Turn

And so on. The common practice in most states is the following:

  • Right turn is permitted on Red unless specifically prohibited, Right turn arrow indicated or in New York City.
  • Left turn on Red one way to one way and otherwise is prohibited, unless seen as common practice by the locals.
  • U-Turn permitted where left turn is permitted unless specifically prohibited or crossing a solid double line.
  • Passing in the Right lane: Permitted on a multilane road
  • Left lane non-passing usage is permitted unless otherwise posted.
  • Cellphone usage. Varies widely from state to state from Fully Prohibiting usage of handheld devices such in New York, Connecticut to being a secondary offense, to not being an offense.

My general advise to you is watch the locals and follow what they do. Because aside from real laws there are Dumb Laws, which also include traffic laws such as required honking while passing a car in Virginia. Is that enforced? Probably not but law is still on the books.

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