On the Road

The 2022 Edition of Archimundo is dubbed as The Roadtrip… and indeed, as we are visiting various locations, we will be on the road! Moreover, part of our journey will be by car for the simple reason that there is practically no other easy way to get to a remote place such as… Marfa.

As this will be a self-driving part, we kindly ask all participants who might be interested in driving, to take their Belgian driver’s license along to the US. You may also bring an international license but please note that it always has to be accompanied by your own country's driving license to be valid.

Below you will find a first introduction to driving in the US. A fully detailed briefing will be given to you prior to taking the wheel.

Some General Rules

• The use of seat belts is required in practically every state. In some states, motorcyclists are required to wear helmets.
  

• On interstate highways, the speed limit is sometimes raised to 75mph (120km). Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is generally 55mph (approx. 90 km) or 65mph (approx. 100 km) on highways, 25mph (40km) to 35mph (55km) in cities and towns, and as low as 15mph (approx. 25km) in school zones (strictly enforced during school hours)
  

• If you see a school bus with yellow flashing lights, you should slow down to 20 miles per hour or less. When you see the red flashing lights come on, you should stop, whether you are behind the bus or you are approaching it from the front. Do not pass the bus in either direction until the bus resumes motion, the driver signals you to move, or the driver turns off the red lights and “STOP” signal.
  

• Unless signs prohibit it, you may turn right at a red light after first coming to a full stop.
  

• At four-way stop signs, cars should proceed in order of arrival; when two cars arrive simultaneously, the one on the right has the right of way. When in doubt, just politely wave the other driver ahead.
  

• When emergency vehicles (ie police, fire or ambulance) approach from either direction, pull over safely and get out of the way.

• If you are stopped by the police, bear in mind that there is no system of paying traffic or other fines on the spot. Attempting to pay a fine to an officer is frowned upon at best and may result in a charge of bribery. For traffic offences, the police officer or highway patrol will explain the options to you. There is usually a 30-day period to pay a fine. Most matters can be handled by mail.
  

Never walk away from an officer until given permission to do so.

As a matter of principle, the US legal system presumes a person innocent until proven guilty. Each state has its own civil and criminal laws, and what is legal in one state may be illegal in others.

In all states, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence, subject to stiff fines and even imprisonment. A blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher is illegal in all jurisdictions. Penalties are very severe for 'DUI' – driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Police can give roadside sobriety checks to assess if you've been drinking or using drugs. If you fail, they'll require you to take a breath test, urine test or blood test to determine the level of alcohol or drugs in your body. Refusing to be tested is treated the same as if you'd taken the test and failed.

In some states, it's illegal to carry 'open containers' of alcohol in a vehicle, even if they're empty.

Driving in Texas

When driving in Texas and the South, you should also make a point of being courteous on the roads. If someone has made space for you during a lane change, you should show your gratitude by waving your hand.

Fueling up

Many gas stations in the USA have fuel pumps with automated credit-card pay screens. Some machines ask for your ZIP code after you swipe your card. For foreign travelers, or those with cards issued outside the US, you'll have to pay inside before fueling up. Just indicate how much you'd like to put on the card. If there's still credit left over after you fuel up, pop back inside and the attendant will put the difference back on your card.