Traffic Lights

The US has far fewer traffic lights than we have in Australia. OK, not fewer overall, but fewer at each intersection.

In Australia there are always traffic lights facing you on both sides of the intersection. When they are red, you stop the car pretty much level with the lights. This is not the case in the US, and can be quite dangerous for newcomers.

In the US often the only traffic lights are on the far side of the intersection. This can take some getting used to, particularly at night. If you stop level with these lights you end up going through the middle of the intersection and stopping just before you leave it. This is incredibly dangerous and not recommended.

So what should you look for? There are usually pedestrian crossing lines on the road before you enter the intersection. Keep a look out for those and you'll be right.