As a new resident of Chicago, it has taken me a while to learn the traffic rules. For the sake of other new residents and visitors, I am providing the following essentials:
– When approaching intersections continue to drive at least five seconds past the change of light color to red, otherwise the driver behind you might go through your bumper.
– When turning left, move well into the intersection and, after the light has turned red, wait for the 10 approaching cars to clear the intersection, then turn while you block the movement of cross traffic. No one expects to start on green in Chicago.
– Drive with one hand on the horn, just in case, and the other holding a cell phone up to your ear.
– If there are pedestrians or tourists in the crosswalk holding up the car in front of you from making a turn, honk your horn as loudly as you can and encourage all other drivers to do the same.
– If you see a rare traffic cop in a police car in the city, take a photo, as such occurrences are about as rare as finding a spotted owl in Chicago.
– If you need to change lanes, the best way is to push toward the sides of luxury cars that will give way rather than take a chance on being scratched.
With these few simple rules you, too, can drive like a local!
