Driving In Dallas
Driving in a city that you're not familiar with can be a nerve-racking experience! It can be hard enough just navigating around Dallas, never mind the driving laws and speed limits, without even thinking about the fact that you might be on the wrong side of the road if you're an international visitor.
DallasCarRental.net are here to make sure your time spent in Dallas is remembered for all the right reasons. So, to help customers on vacation in our city, we've put together a guide to driving in Dallas and throughout Texas using our local knowledge of what to expect from the drivers here and information about state laws in Texas.
Things To Remember When You Drive In Dallas
Here are a few tips for safe driving in Dallas:
Alcohol Limit
Being such a big city, Dallas has a lot of police patrols. They often stop drivers just to check that they're not under the influence of alcohol. An interesting fact is that you can be punished not only if you drink, but simply if you carry an open alcohol container in the vehicle. You're considered to be below the legal limit if you have a blood alcohol concentration of less than 0.08%. Going over this limit can result in heavy fines and possible license suspension. By transporting illegal drugs you also risk a lot: fines up to $15,000 and even time in jail. Alcohol reduces your reaction times, increasing the chances of a car crash. A lot of car crashes in Dallas are caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol.
Speed Limits
There are the same speed limits throughout the entire state of Texas. Within urban areas in Dallas the limit is set to 30 mph. However, if you're traveling in certain residential areas you may need to reduce the speed down to 15mph. In non-built-up areas around Dallas you are allowed to drive at up to 60mph. On highways and freeways the limit is set to 70mph. Be aware that these limits are not fixed. Local authorities may change these limits according to their wishes in order to increase safety. You should always stay focused on the road and watch out for road signs which indicate the speed limit.
Lanes & Signs
Perhaps you've already seen it on TV, but if not, we'll tell you: in America we use the right hand side of the road to drive. This may be tricky for our international visitors but you should get used to it pretty quickly. On most of the roads you'll see familiar road signs but some might be new to you. That's why we strongly recommend that you carry a sign map. At unmarked junctions you need to give way to vehicles coming from your left.
Winter Hazards
In Dallas during the winter the temperature drops a little, so freezing conditions are possible but quite rare. Try to monitor the weather forecast; if it seems like it's going to snow or become icy, take extra care and slow down. Always keep a safe distance from the driver ahead of you. Turn on your headlamps when visibility is reduced. Check the antifreeze right before starting the engine. Test how much control you have over your car but only if there's no one behind you. Keep your cellphone charged, just in case.
Safety Belts
Safety belts are an important feature in all rental vehicles. In Dallas the authorities take public safety very seriously, that's why they encourage all drivers to fasten their safety belts as soon as they get in the car. All passengers must buckle their safety belts, no matter if they sit in the back or in the front seats. Special attention is paid to children who are younger than 8 years old and under the height of 4 feet 9 inches, they must be secured in place with a car seat that's approved by the DMV.
