ON THE ROAD

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A recent trip to the United States reminded me that many Canadian snowbirds will soon embark on the trek northward from the warmer southern regions in the U.S. just as the golf fanatics prepare to head off to the lush courses awaiting them in the Carolinas.

There isn't much difference in the driving and traffic patterns in the U.S., however, there are some very different traffic laws. And similar to the Canadian provinces, each U.S. state is responsible for setting its own rules of the road.

The most common question deals with traffic tickets handed out by American police officers. Most of the U.S. states and certainly all Canadian provinces have administrative agreements in place with Ontario's Ministry of Transportation to ensure points are assessed against any Ontario driver should they be found guilty of a traffic violation in the U.S. or province where points would normally apply.

The biggest adjustment that drivers face immediately after crossing the border is the fact that the entire United States measures speed and distances in miles and miles per hour. All passenger vehicles built and sold in Canada must have a metric speedometer and odometer and most contain devices that show both the imperial and metric measures.

On the other hand, many cars in the U.S., in particular rental vehicles, may only have a miles-per-hour speedometer. Speed limits on the Interstate highways are generally set at 65 or 70 miles per hour in the rural areas and 55 to 65 miles per hour in the urban areas. As a quick reference, 100 km/h converts to 63 miles per hour while 110 km/h converts to 70 mph. Motorists should pay particular attention when travelling in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio as the police in those areas are well known for their strict enforcement of the speed laws as well as some pretty tricky speed traps.

Most motorists receiving a traffic ticket in other jurisdictions tend to pay the fine rather than make the burdensome return trip just to have their day in court. However, tossing the ticket aside when you get home thinking you're free and clear may be a big mistake. Unpaid traffic tickets in the U.S. usually result in an arrest warrant being issued which could be a great inconvenience on any subsequent trips if one were to be pulled over again by the police or worse yet, may result in being denied entry to the U.S. by the Customs and Immigration officer at the border. All border points are linked to the Canadian and American national crime computers where information on most traffic related 'wants' and 'warrants' are kept on file.

There are also some other important traffic laws that travellers should be aware of. For instance, all states and provinces now have a mandatory seat-belt usage law for all occupants of the vehicle and child seat laws for infants, toddlers and post-toddler youngsters. However, the laws vary in each state and province when it comes to the age and weight of children required to be seated in an approved child or booster seat. To be absolutely sure, check on-line with a reputable automobile club or search the Department of Transport sites for the individual state and province you plan on visiting before setting out. Generally, child restraint and booster seats that are legal in Ontario meet the legal requirements in most other jurisdictions.

And last, if you decide to purchase a radar or laser detector while vacationing in the U.S. remember, regardless of whether it was purchased legally it is still illegal to possess one in a motor vehicle here in Ontario. Not only do police officers have the authority to seize the device and charge the driver, they also have the authority to search the vehicle if they suspect one is on board.

Enjoy your vacation or day trip to the U.S. and remember, drive safely and watch for all the posted road signs.