franc11s

Oh by the way, you ARE allowed to block ALL intersections. In fact, even if the lights red and your on the intersection and NO ONE else can go because of you, don't worry... it's NORMAL in the USA......

Also, if you are in a minor accident (say if someone hits you gently from behind). Stay IN YOUR car and call the police. You might block traffic for 2 hours waiting for the police but DO NOT move your CAR. Blocking traffic for minor traffic accidents - It's NORMAL in the USA.....

When you do encounter a round-about (In Atlanta anyway). It's an all-way stop. I think it's a conspiracy but I don't know who by. Yes, in Atlanta we have a roundabout that is an ALL-way stop.. Stupid driving rules - It's NORMAL in the USA...

ironporer

After spending 10 minutes looking for the clutch and gearshift, take notice of the lever (usually on the steering colum or in between the seats) with the markings :

P R N D L
or similar (some have L1 and L2 or other letters). This is the automatic transmission shifter. The letters are for :
Park, Reverse, Nuetral, Drive, and, Low Gear.

After trying to place the car in gear for 5 minutes with no sucess, place foot on brake, then re-try putting car in gear.

eepgmik

Also sometimes you have to push the key into the steering column to get it out, or turn it back slightly towards ignition again.

When driving in Boston:

1. GET A MAP from the rental company - the signage is rubbish - directional and road signs.
2. Watch out for holes - I've heard various reasons for them but mainly it seems to be poor maintenance and snow ploughs causing huge car-wrecking chunks of tarmac to be gouged out of the road.
3. The I90 is your friend - If you're heading west out of the city to the nearby villages/towns then make sure to take the I90. Make sure to have some $$$s handy though - it's a toll road. It costs $3 just to leave the airport via the tunnel.
4. Watch out for merging on dual carriageways - usually you'll have taken a very slow corner to join the carriageway and then have to merge with traffic. The gotcha is that just as you're merging there might be people leaving the highway (see Clover Leaf junctions - whoever came up with that idea needs a slap).
5. When lights go green it means GO NOW! You'll get honked at if you don't use your launch control immediately - it always used to put my back up but now it's just background noise...

Be observant and drive defensively and you may get honked at a bit but should stay out of trouble.

Martin

AdobePinon

After spending 10 minutes attempting to find steering wheel, remove self from ve-hicle, use feet to self-transport to device's left-hand door, re-enter ve-hicle and locate steering wheel.

TruBrit

lol makes me laugh when they pronounce vehicle....ve-hicle...lol where oh where did they get that from

TN-Dave

It's a southern thang I think.....

I just find that when I rent cars, walking away from the desk and saying "Drive on the right, drive on the right" loudly and repeatedly is fun to do as you can watch people's horror as they realise what you're saying ! h ehheheheee

TruBrit

hehe must remember that one...yeah these Teksuns sure do tawk funny...

TN-Dave

So do the Rednecks up here ! ..... I still love the "y'aint from 'round here, are ya ?" question.......

Since I've been working here I've been accused of being: an Aussie, Scottish, old, and 'That Asian Guy'....... OK, I must have bunked off on the day we had the geography lesson at school that said England was part of Asia !

Mind you, I can't really talk - I cannot place 'Merikan accents too well sometimes - narrowing it down to a state is not too easy at times. But I can at least get the right Country or Continent !

TouristTrap

Boston? You poor thing.

'If you can drive over there, you can dri-ve - any-where......'...la la la...

TouristTrap

Also. Driving an automatic is:

1. Put foot on brake.
2. Start car.
3. Put into gear.
4. Drive.

Don't forget to put your foot on the brake as it takes off as soon as you put it into gear.

Hiro11

I grew up just outside of Boston...:

Total agreement. This is true in the entire Boston metro area. Figure out exactly which route you'll be taking prior to leaving.
This is good advice. Gigantic canyons usually appear as a result of frost heaves. You see, it actually gets cold in Boston, winters in the UK are for pussies.
True, but only by default as it's the only major road headed west. IMO, the Pike's a relatively terrifying, high speed road with no shoulder and terrible drivers. After Newton, you're OK. Before Newton, watch out. Consider taking the Green Line or commuter rail.
Great advice and I agree, the whole off ramp just after on ramp thing is completely absurd.
Spoken like a man who's spent a good amount of time driving around Boston and has dealt with Massholes. Really good advice.

glaswegian 2

Hi folks thanks for all your advice and witty comments,all i can say watch out in boston in early spring u have been warned lol, oh and yes im a celtic fan, cant miss st patricks day,big thanks 2 all u limeys lol, i c im gonnae have fun on this site.

HoosierDaddy

Good stuff mate - Get the Tiocfaidh ár lá bumper sticker on the car and you're off & running. Bummer about the loss to Clyde

Partystar

When I first heard someone say that, I thought they had the hiccups!!!

Partystar

Superb!