Driving in a city that you're not familiar with can be a nerve-racking experience! It can be hard enough just navigating around Raleigh, 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.
RaleighCarRental.net are here to make sure your time spent in Raleigh 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 Raleigh and throughout North Carolina using our local knowledge of what to expect from the drivers here and information about state laws.
Here are a few tips for safe driving in Raleigh.
Weather Risks
First of all we'll be talking about driving in extreme conditions. Please note that during the winter, the braking distance is greatly increased due to the thin layer of ice which can form on the surface of the road. By equipping your car with traction chains and snow tires you reduce the risk of skidding. Also check the antifreeze and the windshield liquid level before going on long distances. On the other hand, the weather can get extremely hot during the summer and you need to take into account a few things. However strange it may sound, tires that are not inflated enough have greater chances of exploding at high temperatures. Don't let inflammable materials in your parked car if it is under the direct sunlight.
Speed Limits
The following speed limits apply on the entire state of North Carolina. In all built-up areas, including in Raleigh, the speed limit is set to 35mph (56 km/h). While driving through narrow alleys the speed limit is usually set to 10mph (16km/h). In non-built-up areas of North Carolina you are allowed to step on the gas up to 55mph (88km/h). Highways are called here interstate roads; on these roads the limit is set to 70 mph (112 km/h). You must be very careful not to exceed the limit with more than 20mph (32 km/h) because if you get caught the police will remove your driving privilege for at least 3 months.
Alcohol Limits
Around North Carolina every driver who has a higher blood alcohol concentration than 0.08% is considered to be above the law and risks losing their driving privilege for at least 1 month. If you refuse to perform the alcohol test, things can get even worse; the police has the right of removing your driving privilege for 1 year and if you show signs of aggression they will arrest you. You should never drink anything before driving because even the smallest amount of alcohol reduces your concentration power and increases the chances of provoking a crash.
