DRIVING IN THE U.S.

WELCOME
Presenters:
Sue Falletich & Sandra Maxwell
 Overview
• Driving in the U.S. requires drivers to follow
appropriate State Laws
• Communicating to others using the road
• Managing safety and risk: drive defensively,
not offensively!
Primary seat belt laws

Michigan:
• All front seat passengers
• All passengers under age 16
Booster seat laws

• All children under 8 must be in an approved child

safety seat or booster seat, unless 4’9” or taller.
• Children under 4 must be positioned in a rear
seat.
• Warning: never leave your child alone in a car!
 Unique Michigan Laws
For all of the following, you must yield to
pedestrians and approaching traffic
• Right turn on Red
– Unless there is a “no turn on red” sign you may
turn right at a red light after coming to a complete
stop
• Left turn on Red
– Unless there is a “no turn on red” sign you may
turn left at a red light if entering a ONE-WAY
street
 Cell Phone Use

• Text messaging while driving is prohibited

• Detroit has a prohibition on using handheld cell

phones while driving

• In Troy, drivers are prohibited from using

handheld cell phones or engaging in
any activity that diverts driver attention
Laws Regarding Signs, Signals and Markings

• All regulatory signs, signals

and markings must be
obeyed

• Warning signs are placed

for your own protection and
should be obeyed

• Informational signs provide

you guidance and other
useful information
 Signs, Signals and Markings
In many countries Traffic Signals, Signs and Road
Markings may be ignored. Examples include:
– Not stopping per regulatory signal or sign
– Failure to yield
– Driving on the wrong side of the road
– Speeding

In the U.S. failure to obey signals, signs and road

markings will result in traffic violation point ranging
from 3 to 6 and a fine starting at $100.
 Traffic Signals
Traffic control signals must be followed:
• Other drivers rely on them for traffic flow and indications when it
is safe to proceed

– A RED light means STOP. You must stop behind the cross
walk of stop line at an intersection

– Yellow light means the green has ended and signal is about
to become red. You are required to stop for a Yellow light
and can be ticketed for running the intersection if you
proceed

– Green light means proceed with caution

 Flashing Traffic Lights
• A Flashing Red Light means you must come to a
complete stop and proceed when the road is clear

• A Flashing Yellow Light means proceed carefully

through the intersection

• A Steady Green Arrow means you may proceed in

the direction of the arrow if the way is clear of other
users of the road

• A Steady Yellow Arrow allows you to proceed with

caution if on coming traffic and other users of road
way have cleared

• A Steady Red Arrow mean you must stop and can

not turn until the signal changes
 Speed Limits
• Miles per hour vs Kilometers per hour
 50 mph = 80 kph
 60 mph = 96 kph
 70 mph = 112 kph (max Mich. posted speed)

• Speed limits are intended to inform drivers of the maximum

reasonable and safe travel speed. For example:
 15 mph in mobile home parks and some municipal parks;
 25 mph in school zone [Watch for signs since posted speed limits and times may
vary];
 55 mph – Unless otherwise posted, on all streets that are not designated freeways
and on all highways;
 70 mph maximum/55 mph minimum - On all freeways unless posted otherwise

• The price of speeding. For example:

 1-5 mph over limit (2) $90.00
 6-10 mph over limit (2) $105.00
Right of Way
• You must always yield to pedestrians
who are walking in or crossing a
roadway
• If you are stopped and waiting to turn,
you must yield to any pedestrian who is
crossing the road
• Always yield to blind people crossing
Remember: You, as a driver, the street
can give the right-of-way by • In an uncontrolled intersection you
letting another car go first, must yield to the vehicle approaching
but you cannot take it, on your right
meaning you cannot force the • If the vehicle on your left arrived prior
other car to wait and let you to you, you should yield to this vehicle
go ahead. • In a Roundabout you must yield to
traffic already in the pathway
 Communication
Is it common in your country to:
• Use your horn frequently?
• Not use turn signals?
• Not check the next lane before changing lanes?
• Not checking for on coming traffic and pedestrians before turning?

If you drive with these behaviors in the U.S. you will

• Probably get a ticket/fine
• Make the other drivers sharing the road with you angry
• Cause a traffic collision or worse.

Do not be the cause of Road Rage in other drivers and

place yourself in danger!
 Horns
• Horns are used infrequently for communication
in the U.S. They are used in some special
circumstances:
– Short blast is appropriate to notify another roadway
user of your vehicle if you believe they have not seen
you
– Another vehicle is about to hit you
• Most other times, horn use is considered rude
and inappropriate
 Headlights
• Headlights are used to light your path and make
your vehicle more visible to others

• They should not be used:

– to indicate you are proceeding through an
intersection
– to encourage someone out of your way or to drive
faster
 Turn Signals

• Turn Signals MUST be used for all turns and

lane changes (anytime you change direction)

– Signal should be engaged 100 feet in advance of

where you plan to turn

– Prior to turning or changing lanes you must :

• Signal, ensure the space you wish to occupy is clear
• Ensure you will not be forcing another vehicle to change
speed or spacing
• Ensure you legally can make the turn or lane change.
 Distracted Driving
• Accounts for 25 to 30 percent of all crashes nationally
• Don’t be a statistic and remove all distractions
– Do not answer your cell phone while driving
– No texting or reading messages
– Change radio stations when stopped
– Avoid eating while driving
– Make sure all equipment is adjusted before you start driving
– Avoid intense conversations
– Be familiar with your vehicles controls (light switch, climate control,
hazard warnings, etc.)
 Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
• It is illegal to drive intoxicated or visibly impaired by alcohol,
illegal drugs and certain medications
• Alcohol content of .08 or more is intoxicated
• If you are under 21 it is illegal at an alcohol content of .02 or
more. Zero tolerance!
• Michigan has an Implied Consent Law
– If arrested you will be required to take a chemical test for
your Bodily Alcohol Content
– If you refuse the test, you will get 6 points on your record
and your license will be suspended for one year
 Driving When Visibility is Poor

• Regardless of your driving

experience, the odds are
greater that you’ll have a
collision in wet weather

• Hard rain can limit visibility

so that you can’t see the
edges of the road, traffic
signs or other vehicles on
the road
Tips to Help When
Visibility is Poor
• Keep your windshield & windows clean (inside & out)
• Use your headlights. Keep your headlights clean, stop
periodically during long trips to clean them.
• Reduce your speed
• Increase your following distance
• Avoid using cruise control in wet-weather driving
conditions
• Make sure tires are properly inflated and have
adequate tire tread
How to Go on Ice
and Snow
• Clean all snow and ice from the entire vehicle. Keep an
ice-scraper in your vehicle to help remove snow and ice

• Before departing, start your vehicle and turn the

heater on for 1 or 2 minutes prior to using the defroster

• Try to avoid driving when visibility is poor.

If you must drive, keep your speed low,
headlights on, and increase your following
distance

• Gentle pressure on the accelerator when

starting is best for retaining traction and
avoiding skids

• If your wheels start to spin, let up on the

accelerator until traction returns
How to Go on Ice
and Snow
Braking
• Stopping on slippery surfaces requires longer visibility,
following and stopping distances

• Increase your following distance from 3 seconds to a

minimum of 6 seconds on snow and at least 9 seconds or
more on ice

• Longer stopping distances are required when driving on

slippery surfaces. Focus your attention as far ahead as
possible (at least 20 to 30 seconds)
Getting Unstuck
When your vehicle’s wheels are stuck, apply power
slowly and steadily.

• Keep the front wheels pointed

straight ahead so the vehicle can
move in a straight line.

• If you cannot go forward, try to back

out and steer in the tracks the vehicle
has just made.
 Other Users of the Road
• Commercial Vehicles
– They can not stop quickly
– If you can not see the drivers face in the vehicles side mirror, the
vehicle driver can not see you.
– Give Trucks extra space

• Motorcycle Operators
– Have full rights to the roadway
– Are at times hard to see so check your blind spot before changing
lane

• Bicycles
– Are allowed on roads but are suppose to stay to the right unless
turning left.
– Have same rights as vehicles for road use
 Other Users of the Road
• Pedestrians
– Should always be given the right-of-way even when they
are where they should not be!
• Blind Pedestrians
– Michigan law requires you to stop or yield right-of-way
when you see a pedestrian with a white cane or guide
dog
• Emergency Vehicles
– You must yield to emergency vehicles from any direction
when they have their flashing warning lights/or sounding
a siren. This means you must move over to the shoulder
of the road or the far right lane and stop.
 Other Users of the Road
• School Buses
– When the overhead red lights are flashing you must stop no closer
than 20 feet from the bus
– When overhead alternative flashing Red and Yellow lights are flashing
you must stop no closer than 20 feet from the bus.
– You can not move until the lights are turned off
– Fines
• Failure to stop 20 feet or more from a school bus: 2 points and
$135
• Failure to stop for a school bus: 3 points and $180
• Failure to stop which causes an accident: 3 points and $205
 What to do if you are
stopped by the police
• Pull over to the side of the road
• Keep your hands on the steering wheel where police
officer can see them
• Remain in your vehicle
• Follow the instructions of the officer
– Will probably need to provide license, proof and insurance
and vehicle registration
– Do not reach for these items until requested by the officer
• Do not try to argue or negotiate with the officer
• Make sure you understand the violation and next
steps if issued a ticket
 What to do if you are
involved in a car crash
• Protect the scene
• Call for assistance
• Exchange information with the person that is
involved in the crash with you:
– Name, address, phone number
– Vehicle registration number
– Driver’s license number
– Insurance Company Name & Number
 Insurance
• Insurance is required in the State of Michigan
– If you purchase a vehicle and wish to register it in the
state of Michigan you must purchase Michigan no-fault
insurance on the vehicle before registration.
– There are a variety of policy options available
• AAA Michigan can assist you in obtaining vehicle
Insurance
– Call 1-800-AAA-MICH (1-800-222-6424) or visit a branch
office for more information
• Michigan AAA (safety, insurance, driver training, accident
or road assistance, etc.): http://michigan.aaa.com/
THANK YOU!

If you would like more information regarding

Driver Improvement or on-the-road instruction,
please contact:

Sue Falletich
313-336-1508
[email protected]

Sandra Maxwell
313-336-0535
[email protected]
 Driver’s License Written Test
Date Time Location

9am (must arrive no later

than 11:00am)
Ballroom, Michigan
Thurs, Sept 28
Union (2nd floor)
1pm (must arrive no later
than 2:30pm)
 Driver’s License Written Test
Important Information:
• In order to take the written test, you must have attended
the Mandatory Immigration Check-in.
• You must be registered for and take the test at the session
you’ve signed up for. Each session has limited spaces
available, so please register for one session only to leave
space for others. If you register multiple times, regardless
of whether your registration is for different days and times,
your registration will be removed from all the sessions you
registered for and you will not be able to take the
test. Registration information will be available in mid-
September.
 Driver’s License Written Test
• If you have a dependent and he/she wishes to take the test,
you may register on his/her behalf. If you already registered
yourself and are now unable to register for your
dependent, just bring your dependent to the same session
you registered for.
• Check the website several days in advance of the test so
you will have time to gather required documents.
• Representatives from the Michigan Secretary of State's
Office will administer the written driver’s license test (in
English only) for international students, scholars, and their
dependents who are affiliated with U-M. You cannot apply
for a Michigan State ID at this workshop.
 Workshop Evaluation

bit.ly/umicorientation
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