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EMERGENCY LANE ON THE LEFT - San Diego
EMERGENCY LANE ON THE LEFT
by matcrazy1
San Diego Warnings or Dangers: Driving / Traffic tips posted by real travelers and San Diego locals.
Driving / Traffic
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Driving / Traffic: You can make a U-Turn in San Diego!
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  • I don't know if it's a California thing, but at most intersections, it's legal to make a U-turn in San Diego! The signs are very clear whether you can or not (not allowed in this photo), and the U-Turners always get the advanced light too! Maybe its not a big thing to you, but in Toronto, most U-turns are taboo, so you have to turn right, and go around the block, and try not to get more lost than you were before you missed the turn that put you in this predicament in the first place!!!

    But, pedestrians beware - there may be somebody pulling a U-ee when you're trying to cross!

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    Driving / Traffic: Keep the eyes in the back of...
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  • Keep the eyes in the back of your head open as you drive. I mean no disrespect but Southern Californian drivers are by far the most discourteous, at times insanely dangerous drivers I have ever encountered in my life. Do not expect them to know what a turn signal is, let alone use it, before they cut you off at 80 mph. Don't be surprised if the guy who practically pushes you into the other lane as he bullies his way into yours (did I mention they also never heard of shoulder checking?) then suddenly slams on his brakes, practicall causing a deadly pile-up.

    We passed a dead body on the road one day. Later on the internet we read it was a woman thrown from her vehicle as it rolled over and over. I wasn't there to observe the accident, only the aftermath, but I am certain it was some other driver who caused her to roll. In her last moments she was probably trying her very best to avoid colliding with someone. Please drive extremely defensively in Southern California.

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    Driving / Traffic: Don't drive on the lane for emergency vehicles
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  • EMERGENCY LANE ON THE LEFT - San Diego
    EMERGENCY LANE ON THE LEFT
    by matcrazy1
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    When you drive on a freeway choose an appropriate lane.
    Remember that the most left hand lane (seperated from the rest of lanes by a yellow/orange lines) is usually either carpool lane or "an emergency lane" for ambulances, police, fire trucks etc.

    I have never seen any car on this lane. And in Europe I have never seen such lane on the left (it's always on right and it's for cars with mechanical problems only) but (if) I suspect to see many VIP cars (numerous EU officials, presidents, ambassadors etc. etc.) escorted by police on that lane hehe.

    From CHRIS (balfor):
    The left hand lane on the interstates that you said were emergency lanes were just that. They are there so if you have a mechanical problem with your car, you can pull over there and be out of the way of other motorists.
    You do occassionally see emergency vehicles (ambulances, police and fire trucks) using them but most times unless the traffic is absolutely stopped, the traffic in front of them will do everything they can to get out of their way.
    Thank you Chris for your explanations!

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    Driving / Traffic: Watch a car ahead on a freeway
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  • Driving on a freeway in San Diego area watch a car ahead on your lane - not so easy, there are a lot of interesting things to see around (especially skyline when you enter San Diego driving from Los Angeles).
    But although drivers never touch a brake on a freeway but in an emergency they have to brake. So, be careful.
    And have a good road!

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    Driving / Traffic: Slow down!
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  • Freeway I-5 to... Mexico - San Diego
    Freeway I-5 to... Mexico
    by matcrazy1
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    Exceeding the posted speed limit can get you a ticket and create an inconvenience.

    The top speed limit on freeways in town areas is 65mph, out on the "open-road," like in areas past the cities, the speed limit goes up to 70 mph.

    From Chris (balfor):
    Driving over the speed limit - How fast you can go depends on the area. When I lived in Virginia you could do 4 miles per hour over the speed limit with no problem and it was pretty much up to the mood of the policeman between 5 and 10 miles over. More than that and you were getting a ticket no matter who was on duty. Here in Atlanta, if you aren't doing at LEAST 10 miles an hour over the speed limit, you are blocking traffic because you are going too slow. In the 55 MPH zones, the normal speed is between 65 and 70 with the police not looking at you twice if you are driving 70. It makes me wonder how fast some of these people are going to get pulled over!
    Thank you Chris!

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    Driving / Traffic: Watch your exit
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  • 3 NEXT EXITS (leaving Los Angeles) - San Diego
    3 NEXT EXITS (leaving Los
    Angeles)
    by matcrazy1
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    Freeways in Southern California are well signed but when you drive 70-75 mph on 4-8 lane freeway (especially on left lane) you need some time to get to the right lane.
    So, watch signs. They always sign 3 next exits - enough time to change lanes, no worry.

    They sign name of an exit (name of Avenue, Street, Road, Blvd, Dr = drive etc., sometimes number of road) and how far is to the exit (in miles + 1/4 or 1/2 or 3/4 of a mile)

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    Driving / Traffic: In emergency on a freeway
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  • In any emergency on a freeway use "call box" - (look at my picture how does it look like) or call 911 from your cell phone - in real EMERGENCY only. People who call 911 and haven’t an Emergency will get into trouble and
    can be charged a "Fine," because it ties up the lines for people with real
    emergencies.

    Freeway call boxes are spaced one half mile apart and are programmed to identify your location.

    If your car breaks down, turn on your flashers and raise the hood. If you must abandon your car, park safely and keep all passengers together.

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    Driving / Traffic: TRAFFIC! Go nowhere near the...
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  • TRAFFIC! Go nowhere near the 8, 5, or 15 freeways on a week day during rush hour or you'll never get anywhere but stuck.

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    Driving / Traffic: Invest in a really detailed city map!
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  • Make sure to have a really good city map or you can get lost in a city the size of San Diego! You don't want to spend a lot of time trying to find your way back to the freeway from the maze of the sprawling suburbs. It also helps you keep from straying into areas that could be dangerous at night.

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    Driving / Traffic: WHEN YOU CROSS THE CHAINS
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  • WHEN YOU CROSS THE CHAINS - San Diego
    WHEN YOU CROSS THE CHAINS
    by matcrazy1
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    Hmmm... chains were not so high :-)
    Do you like such old trucks? Hmmm... could I drive this truck to my work? Hehehe.

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