There are two key things to know about one-direction streets. The first is how to tell the difference between a one-way road and an ordinary road. The second is what to do if you or another driver accidentally drives up one of these streets in the wrong direction.
How to Always Recognize a One-Direction Street
When driving around your hometown, you’re probably already aware of any streets that you can only enter from one end. But when you venture into an unfamiliar city, you must pay more attention. If you want to be really prepared, you could study a street map before you reach a new city. Even if you’re using a GPS, always verify with your own eyes that you’re allowed to enter every street the GPS guides you into.
Look for Warning Signs
Streets with only one allowed direction always have signs indicating this. You’ll see an arrowed “One Way” sign at the entrance and a warning “Do Not Enter” sign at the exit. You might also see a “No Turn Right” before the exit end of these streets.
Observe the Street Lines
As you’re undoubtedly aware, yellow lines on the road mark the divide between the two sides of an ordinary two-way street. But one-direction streets lack a yellow dividing line of any sort. Instead, you’ll only see white lines marking the edge of the street on either side.
Look at the Parked Cars
Parked cars are reliable indicators of the flow of traffic on any street. If you see many parked cars all facing in the same direction on both sides of the street, there’s probably a good reason for it.
What To Do If You Enter From the Wrong Direction
In moments of distraction, any driver might enter a one-direction street from the wrong end. If you make this mistake, don’t panic.
Turn on your headlights to alert other drivers and immediately remove your vehicle from the traffic flow. Once you’re safely pulled over, wait patiently for a large enough break in the oncoming cars to safely do a U-turn and exit in the right direction.
What To Do If Another Driver Is Coming the Wrong Way
If you see another driver coming the wrong way, they might not have realized their mistake yet. Immediately slow down and flash your headlights to warn the other driver. Also, honk your horn if necessary.
Always put your safety first. If they don’t slow down, get out of their way to allow them to pass. It’s never worth risking an accident to prove that you’re in the right.
The Reason for One-Direction Streets in College Park, MD
Even relatively small towns like College Park, MD have one-direction streets. These streets are designed to help improve the flow of traffic in denser urban areas, eliminating the need for left turns across oncoming traffic. They may seem a pain at first, but when you get used to one-direction streets, you’ll often start to appreciate how much they do to alleviate city-center traffic.
Whether you need friendly automotive tips, a trusted Nissan dealership, or to find local things to discover, we have you taken care of at DARCARS Nissan of College Park. Browse our new car specials today or navigate to our blog page to keep learning more!
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