Tips for driving in Los Angeles?
Driving in Los Angeles isn't as hard as you think. But the first rule is that you have to "grow a pair". Driving in LA is not for the timid. -Assume that people are out to kill you, and drive defensively. Sometimes that means you have to drive a little faster to prevent that jerk on your right from cutting you off. It may still happen, but driving with a small amount of aggression is much safer than driving passively. Remember that the best defense is a good offense. -As for getting over, it's all about anticipation and timing. Familiarity with the roads helps immensely. Certain spots are notorious for people cutting over at the last minute. You have to find that sweet spot: If you get in the desired lane too soon, you're stuck in the backup. If you wait too long, you can get stuck and either have to block a lane or miss your turn. But one thing to look out for: It seems like one out of five people is talking on the cell phone an leaving extra room. Look for those small gaps and sneak in there. -Signal right when you start to move. If you signal too soon, the driver will wake from their trance and speed up to fill in the gap.
Uk visitor - tips on driving in Los Angeles?
I've had the same issues in reverse so I know how you feel! You'll find you get used to driving on the 'wrong side', but something you will have to watch is that as a driver, we each unconsciously place our body in the lane in a certain spot as a way of keeping the car 'centered'. You will find that the place you naturally choose is WRONG - here, as a driver you want to be about 1/3 of the way from the left line, whereas you'll be used to being a lot farther to the right. On most of the turns, the lanes will be so controlled (and filled with other cars) that you'll find it difficult to do it wrong - just follow the flow of traffic and you'll do fine. Regards the pedals - most cars here are NOT manual - you may even have trouble renting one! People here generally don't know how to use a stick shift - and since gas is so much cheaper here, the decreased mileage of an automatic is not such a big issue. Regards the rules, you can download a copy of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver's handbook (all the rules) as an acrobat pdf directly off the web at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf. When you get here, you'll notice that in general, people drive 10%-20% faster than the posted speed limit - just try to stay out of the far left lane and keep with the flow of traffic and you should be ok. LA freeway drivers are also VERY aggressive when it comes to 'protecting' their lane (i.e. driving too close behind the person in front of them and not letting people 'in' in front of them) - if you miss your exit because someone has you blocked in, no worries - California freeways almost always have matching exits and entrances - just go to the next exit and come back around for another try. One kind of unusual item to be aware of (people from the UK have mentioned this to me before). Unlike in the UK, our roads/streets here are VERY LONG - streets like Sepulveda Blvd. can go for miles and miles across many many 'towns'. Do NOT get off the freeway for an earlier exit, simply because you see the name of the street you're looking for - you may find yourself miles from where you want to be, not necessarily always in the greatest of neighborhoods. Best wishes and have a great trip!
Uk visitor - tips on driving in Los Angeles?
I've had the same issues in reverse so I know how you feel! You'll find you get used to driving on the 'wrong side', but something you will have to watch is that as a driver, we each unconsciously place our body in the lane in a certain spot as a way of keeping the car 'centered'. You will find that the place you naturally choose is WRONG - here, as a driver you want to be about 1/3 of the way from the left line, whereas you'll be used to being a lot farther to the right. On most of the turns, the lanes will be so controlled (and filled with other cars) that you'll find it difficult to do it wrong - just follow the flow of traffic and you'll do fine. Regards the pedals - most cars here are NOT manual - you may even have trouble renting one! People here generally don't know how to use a stick shift - and since gas is so much cheaper here, the decreased mileage of an automatic is not such a big issue. Regards the rules, you can download a copy of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver's handbook (all the rules) as an acrobat pdf directly off the web at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf. When you get here, you'll notice that in general, people drive 10%-20% faster than the posted speed limit - just try to stay out of the far left lane and keep with the flow of traffic and you should be ok. LA freeway drivers are also VERY aggressive when it comes to 'protecting' their lane (i.e. driving too close behind the person in front of them and not letting people 'in' in front of them) - if you miss your exit because someone has you blocked in, no worries - California freeways almost always have matching exits and entrances - just go to the next exit and come back around for another try. One kind of unusual item to be aware of (people from the UK have mentioned this to me before). Unlike in the UK, our roads/streets here are VERY LONG - streets like Sepulveda Blvd. can go for miles and miles across many many 'towns'. Do NOT get off the freeway for an earlier exit, simply because you see the name of the street you're looking for - you may find yourself miles from where you want to be, not necessarily always in the greatest of neighborhoods. Best wishes and have a great trip!
Is driving in Los Angeles like Houston, TX?
I live in Texas they both are pretty bad considering Houston is the 4th largisst city and LA is the 2nd. LA is much worse sepcially with motorcycles and the population.
Driving from Los Angeles to Massachusetts... any tips?
start early after getting a good night sleep have the car packed the day before so the day u leave all u have to do is get up shower get ready leave, 4 hr shifts are good, stop when needed for bathroom break, word of advise stop at convenience stores not rest areas to go into bathrooms,rest areas are not the safest places , do not go in one after dark unless it is one where security is provided (i dont even go in them then) stop at interesting places to get out and stretch ur legs and do stretches to limber uself every 2-4 hrs at least for a few min, watch the speed limit in small towns it changes quick sometimes.....play games while driving like guessing games, i spy, look for all the states on lic plates etc drive interstate and back roads to give a change of scenery stay safe!!!!!! enjoy have a pillow for the passenger to lean head on also and a blanket
Tips for driving road test?
STEERING Steer smoothly whether you are driving straight ahead, turning or backing up. ACCELERATION Accelerate smoothly and moderately. Don't race the engine or cause it to stall. BRAKING Bring the vehicle to a stop gently. Start braking well before your stopping position to avoid "jerky" stops. Make sure you stop your vehicle in the proper position of the lane. CLUTCH/GEAR Always be sure your vehicle is in the correct gear. With either an automatic or a manual transmission, shift into the proper gear at the right time without "grinding" the gears. SPEED Obey the posted speed limit, of course, but also adjust your speed properly due to weather, road, visibility and traffic conditions. FOLLOWING DISTANCE Keep an adequate space "cushion" between your vehicle and those you are following. Use the "two second rule" described in the Driver's Manual. Be sure to increase your following distance in poor weather or visibility. TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES Know the meanings of signs, signals and pavement markings, and obey them consistently. STOPPING POSITION If a stop is required, stop your vehicle before it reaches an intersecting street. If stop lines or crosswalks are present, stop before crossing them. If your view is blocked after stopping behind the crosswalk, move up until you can clearly see your way, then stop again if necessary. LANE SELECTION AND POSITION Keep your vehicle in the proper traffic lane, especially when preparing to make turns. Don't allow room for another vehicle to pass you on the side that you are turning toward. COMMUNICATION Let other drivers and pedestrians know which way you want to go. Use your directional signals or horn consistently and at the proper times. OBSERVATION Look for and identify potential problems or hazards in the traffic around you - not just straight ahead, but behind you and on either side. Check your mirrors frequently, but be sure to look over your shoulder behind you when changing lanes or backing up. ANTICIPATE & REACT TO OTHERS Anticipate possible driving errors by others and be ready to react safely to make up for their mistakes. Yes to your question.....