Whether you’re new to Illinois or have lived here all your life, you’ve probably noticed that we live by some unique road rules. There’s the law, and then there’s the odd things you see Illinoisans doing almost every time you go out.
These 10 rules are best to keep in mind and not follow, though if you do them, no one will be surprised. Scroll on for more details.
- Turn signals
Pexels/Markus Spiske Somehow this can be tricky for people. There are drivers who wait to turn on their turn signal until they’ve already got a tire in the next lane or are already making the turn.
- Or no turn signals
Wikimedia Commons/Jacek Rużyczka Of course, even worse are those who don’t even bother.
- Bikes rule the road
Flickr/jacme31 Technically, bikes are supposed to follow the same road rules as drivers, but that hardly ever happens. Most don’t stop at intersections and some even use their phones while riding.
- Even motorized bikes
Wikimedia Commons/Eric Schmuttenmaer Though not exclusive to Illinois, summer is especially a time when bikers think they can do whatever they want on the road. They weave between cars and even drive on shoulders to get ahead.
- Always speed
Flickr/pixellaphoto You’re not going the speed limit in Illinois unless you’re going at least five miles faster than listed. It’s one of our many road rules to go as fast as possible before another red light or slow down in traffic.
- Especially through a yellow light
Max Pixel Yellow is technically the sign for “slow down,” but Illinoisans take it as a sign to speed through intersections in order to beat the red light. No one will judge you, though, because we’ve all been there.
- Weather doesn’t ruin our plans
Pexels/Magda Ehlers No one in Illinois is going to let rain or snow stop them from driving where they need to drive. Be it the store, work, or to a friend’s house, we’ll go slow through poor conditions to get there.
- Tractors take up the entire road
Wikimedia Commons/Hans Deragon Though this is technically illegal, road rules are different in Illinois. When it comes to this situation, you just have to hope the tractor turns soon or otherwise try to pass it without getting hit by oncoming traffic.
- Traffic lights
Max Pixel When stopped at a light, some cars creep forward, almost dangerously at times. You might assume they are trying to get ahead and will take off quickly once the light finally changes, but this doesn’t always happen.
- Making right turns from the left lane
Flickr/Daniel X. O’Neil Part of the reason this happens is last-minute decisions. All of a sudden, someone realizes they need to turn, and so they do so with no regard to who might be around them.
Not knowing about these rules of the road will alert everyone that you’re not really from here. Here are 12 more ways to spot an imposter in Illinois.
Pexels/Markus Spiske
Somehow this can be tricky for people. There are drivers who wait to turn on their turn signal until they’ve already got a tire in the next lane or are already making the turn.
Wikimedia Commons/Jacek Rużyczka
Of course, even worse are those who don’t even bother.
Flickr/jacme31
Technically, bikes are supposed to follow the same road rules as drivers, but that hardly ever happens. Most don’t stop at intersections and some even use their phones while riding.
Wikimedia Commons/Eric Schmuttenmaer
Though not exclusive to Illinois, summer is especially a time when bikers think they can do whatever they want on the road. They weave between cars and even drive on shoulders to get ahead.
Flickr/pixellaphoto
You’re not going the speed limit in Illinois unless you’re going at least five miles faster than listed. It’s one of our many road rules to go as fast as possible before another red light or slow down in traffic.
Max Pixel
Yellow is technically the sign for “slow down,” but Illinoisans take it as a sign to speed through intersections in order to beat the red light. No one will judge you, though, because we’ve all been there.
Pexels/Magda Ehlers
No one in Illinois is going to let rain or snow stop them from driving where they need to drive. Be it the store, work, or to a friend’s house, we’ll go slow through poor conditions to get there.
Wikimedia Commons/Hans Deragon
Though this is technically illegal, road rules are different in Illinois. When it comes to this situation, you just have to hope the tractor turns soon or otherwise try to pass it without getting hit by oncoming traffic.
When stopped at a light, some cars creep forward, almost dangerously at times. You might assume they are trying to get ahead and will take off quickly once the light finally changes, but this doesn’t always happen.
Flickr/Daniel X. O’Neil
Part of the reason this happens is last-minute decisions. All of a sudden, someone realizes they need to turn, and so they do so with no regard to who might be around them.
What other unique road rules do you see people going by in Illinois? Share your observations with us!
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