Motor Vehicle Driving Laws & Regulations
Driving an automobile always carries a certain degree of risk. Cars are powerful machines and inexperienced or distracted drivers can put themselves and others in danger. To ensure that the roads are as safe as possible for all drivers, local governments establish many different driving laws that everyone who gets behind the wheel should follow.
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Speed Limits
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Speed limits are among the most important motor-vehicle driving laws, and also among the most often disobeyed. In addition to highway speed limits of 55 or 65 miles per hour, most states and local governments also require lower speed limits (as low at 25 mph in some cases) at railroad crossings, school zones and near hospitals.
Besides obeying posted speed limits, drivers must travel at a safe speed, which means slowing down when road conditions or bad weather make traveling at the posted speed limit unsafe.
Road Signs
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Drivers are also responsible for following the directions on all road signs and traffic lights. Learning to identify the colors and shapes of various signs is part of preparing for a driver's license test and drivers who disregard signs are at risk of causing an accident or receiving a citation and fine.
The colors of road signs indicate which type of behavior they control. Yellow signs indicate caution, such as merging lanes. Orange signs indicate a construction zone, where drivers must follow directions given by work crew. Finally, red and white signs indicate prohibitions, such as stop signs and wrong way or do not enter signs.
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Alcohol Policies
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Each state has its own alcohol policy, which aims to keep drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs off the road. Most large states, including New York and California, enforce a legal limit of .08 per cent blood alcohol content. Drivers who are charged with driving under the influence face fines, jail time and a revoked license. Second and third offenses carry even greater fines and jail time.
Vehicle Maintenance
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Keeping a well-maintained vehicle is essential for safe driving, and a matter of law in most states. Some states, like New York, mandate annual safety inspections. Drivers must be able to show that their vehicles' safety systems are functional and that there are no problems like broken glass or blown-out lights that can increase the likelihood of an accident. Drivers must display a sticker indicating that the vehicle passed a recent inspection in order to drive legally on public roads.
Even in states without an inspection system, drivers are responsible for maintaining their vehicles and face a citation if they are found to be driving an unsafe vehicle.
Cell Phones
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In recent years more and more states have instituted a cell phone policy. The purpose of such laws is to prevent accidents that occur when drivers become distracted by phone calls or text messages. Drivers may need to use a hands-free device when making calls to remain in compliance.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit stop sign image by Evan Meyer from Fotolia.com
