"ROADS FORM A VERY IMPORTANT THING IN AN AMERICAN LIFE"

These words have several meanings attached to it.

Roads in USA - main or important ones (state highways, interstate expressways, etc, ) are all numbered... i.e. there are no names to these roads, these roads have numbers and direction. For example "Route 9" . This means that this is a State Highway number 9. and its directions are "north" and "south". Note that these directions are the relative directions... east, west, north, or south indicated on these routes does not mean that these directions are the actual geographic east, west, or so. Hence you will need a magnetic needle or have to observe the sunrise/ sunset/ observe the pole star and get the directions !!! The local roads have their proper names, like "Park Road", "Franklin Street" etc.

The conditions of these roads (construction-wise) is excellent .The roads here are huge, I mean very wide. The general speed of the vehicle is not much (40mph) on state highway.. and much more on interstate highway... (interstate highways do not have signals anywhere there are only entry points and exit points on these roads ...remember the vehicles on interstate highway DO NOT stop..... so stay away from these roads if you are on your foot).

You got to appreciate one thing... Most of the American drivers are sincere, honest and disciplined people and adhere to all traffic rules.. as per their rules they have to give respect to pedestrians and they actually do.

1. The traffic here moves in opposite direction as compared to the one back in our country...
2. Always walk on the left side of the road (in India, there's a subject called Community living, in the primary schooling... it teaches the young ones, always walk on the "right" side of the road... here you have to be on the "left" side).
3. At every crossing WAIT .... stop there observe vehicles coming and going in each direction... study the signals .... observe the path which u should be following while crossing... no harm even if u have to stand for long minutes ... be doubly sure that no vehicles are coming in your way...only then cross the road... ofcourse good American drivers will surely bring their vehicles to stand-still on seeing you yet it is difficult for a speeding vehicle to stop suddenly if someone starts crossing).
4. There are, at some crossing a "button" on the poles that support signals. u have to press this button and wait... only when the pedestrian signal indicates the "walk" signal, u should cross... but this system might not be in working condition.
5. If you are in USA for the first time, it is advisable not to walk on the roads, and more specifically never cross roads, as u can meet an accident.. its better to be with some experienced fellowmen, or ask your friends or colleagues to pick u up or drop u till a time u get your own car... even if you have to walk for 5 minutes on such roads, its my advise... do not do so !!!

So the moral of the story... If you go for a morning walk, the roads u select must be local roads or inner roads. Next while crossing be most cautious. Avoid walking on state highways... and you are prohibited on interstate highway. Get a car fast if you want to be safe and sound in America.

No doubt, for an American - "life is a Highway !!"

More articles by Amit Rajpurkar

1. American Roads - An important part of life
2. "American Roads - An important part of life"