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Irvine is a city located in Orange County. It has an impressive population of almost 250,000 residents, and the city is considered to be one of the safest cities in the United States.
The city is home to some of the best attractions in Southern California, including Disneyland and the spectacular beaches. The weather is always sunny and the people are extremely friendly. But, like in any other city, there are driving safety rules that you should follow as a first-time visitor.
If you are planning a visit to Irvine and you have never been here before, it is important that you take some time to learn about local driving laws so that you can stay safe on the roads. A car accident is the last thing you might wanna run into when visiting a new place. But, if you don’t take the necessary precautions, it can happen. In an event that you have been involved in a wreck and injured, make sure to call an auto accident attorney Irvine. These professionals have the expertise required to help you recover from your injuries. If you have been injured due to another person’s negligence, then an auto accident attorney will help you get compensation for your troubles.
In this article, we will talk about road safety tips for first-time Irvine visitors.
Road Safety Tips For First Time Irvine Visitors
The first time you visit the city, it can be a little overwhelming if you’re not used to the unique driving conditions there. For example, you might find yourself driving down a long street only to discover that it’s actually a freeway, or stuck at an intersection where no one is moving because everyone is waiting for a signal that isn’t coming. However, with a little preparation and these tips to keep in mind, you’ll be able to avoid any driving-related mishaps on your first trip.
Plan Ahead
First of all, don’t forget that Irvine is right by the ocean—in fact, most places are within walking distance of the beach. If you’re coming from out of town, be sure to plan your route accordingly so that you aren’t caught off guard when the sun sets and nighttime traffic starts up. This also means being aware of any road construction that might be going on in certain parts of town—you’ll want to know what streets are closed before heading out into unfamiliar territory!
If possible, try to drive during non-peak hours such as the early morning or late afternoon/evening when there’s less congestion on the roads. This will help prevent accidents from happening due to other drivers’ distractedness or carelessness; it’s also just safer.
Traffic Signals
Traffic signals in Irvine are different from other states. We have a Do Not Enter sign, which has colored arrows pointing in the wrong direction. This sign is put up at all intersections where you are allowed to turn, but other drivers are not allowed to enter. It’s very important to pay attention to these signs because they can be confusing for tourists and new drivers.
Another important traffic signal is the no turn on red sign, which prohibits drivers from making a right turn on a red light unless you come to a complete stop first. That means if you’re at an intersection and someone else makes a right turn on red, you must wait until they make it safely through the intersection before making your turn.
Finally, we have our road safety tips for first time Irvine visitors – be aware of pedestrians. There are many pedestrians who walk or ride bikes through our streets every day so it’s important that we all keep an eye out for them too!
Get Familiar with Left Turn Lanes
If you are traveling from out of town or out of state, it is likely that you are not familiar with left-turn lanes. In fact, if you are from New York City or other very populated metropolises, you might have never seen a left turn lane before! Luckily, these lanes make it extremely easy to get where you need to go safely. You can easily find a left turn lane by looking for a sign before an intersection. These signs will say “Left Only.”
Be careful at intersections
As you drive around Irvine, you will notice there are a ton of intersections. While driving through them is usually pretty easy, there are some things to remember that can keep you safe.
First and foremost, be aware of which direction has the right-of-way. You can do this by looking for signs, or by looking for the yield sign in the lane you want to enter. If there is a yield sign, make sure you slow down and look both ways before entering the intersection. Sometimes, stop signs are placed at intersections where the roads cross each other but do not intersect with traffic signals; since these intersections may be harder to see, it’s important that you pay attention to traffic laws at all times.
Of course, if there is a traffic light, you have to follow the rules of that light. Make sure you check your mirrors before proceeding as well—there might be someone who doesn’t know they need to stop behind them!
Speed Limits
The speed limits in California are lower than in many other states. It is important that you know what the speed limits are in different areas so that you won’t be caught speeding. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s safe to drive faster than the speed limit, if you do so, you could end up with a ticket or worse yet, an accident.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles website has a section dedicated to driving information for visitors. You can take a look at this site so that you can learn more about what the rules are in Irvine and how to drive safely when visiting another state or country.
Keep your GPS handy
When navigating in an unfamiliar area, you should rely on your GPS device for directions rather than asking for directions from strangers. It will put you at ease and help you avoid any disputes with other drivers if you happen to get into a disagreement later on.
Finally, let someone know where you are
Make sure someone knows where you are going and how long it will take to get there. This way they can contact the police or a loved one if they don’t hear from you when they expect to.
Author Brett Sachs
Brett Sachs, partner & principal attorney at MVP Accident Attorneys, graduated from Michigan State University College of Law with Cum Laude Honors and worked for an insurance defense firm before starting his practice. Brett has evaluated thousands of personal injury cases and has helped his clients receive the justice they deserve.
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