Shane Dale

As the fall semester nears and students trickle back to the UA, Tucson's driving conditions will continue to tighten up. Not only will students be returning from their homes in Phoenix and the rest of Arizona, but many of our friendly neighbors from California, which supplies the greatest number of UA's out-of-state students, will also be coming back or arriving for the first time.

Since motorist etiquette seems to vary significantly from Cali to Arizona, here are some helpful hints for our neighbors to the west to keep in mind when coming to Tucson:

÷Turn signals are legal in Arizona. But let's start even more basically than that. A "turn signal" is a device that indicates either a move from one lane to another or a right- or left-hand turn onto another street, entrance or driveway. This informs nearby motorists who may need to take caution. The turn signal handle is typically attached to the left side of your steering wheel.

Motorist etiquette seems to vary significantly from Cali to Arizona.

Now, although you may have received disapproving looks by your fellow drivers if you attempted to use this device back home, rest assured that you will receive no such judgment here in southern Arizona. In fact, most people will be pleased to see that you care enough to inform them which way you're headed.

÷Pulling out halfway into the road before turning is frowned upon. Most Tucsonans don't appreciate having to swerve around you just because that tree was partially blocking your view. In fact, some would argue that it's actually safer to have a slightly skewed view when making a right-hand turn than to risk the lives of dozens of motorists by lugging half of your Corvette out into the right lane before making the turn. What's more, unlike in California, the honks you'll receive for doing so won't be out of jealousy, but rather malice.

÷Socialism on the road: No matter what kind of car you drive, it's important to note that while on the road, all automobiles are created equal.

If some guy in a Î67 Volkswagen Bug is obeying the 35-mph speed limit while you, stuck behind him in your brand-new Lexus, wanna go at least 37, it's not your royal right to scoot past him from the right lane and cut him off. Nor do you get free passes through the red lights ÷ in Tucson you only get away with what everyone else does (i.e., when the police are nowhere to be found). In addition, it's the prerogative of Tucson's city buses to come to a complete stop in the right-hand lane. You do not have such a privilege ÷ even if you park at a bus stop. The TPD is generally capable of telling the difference.

÷Don't take the "suicide lane" literally. The areas on Grant that have such lanes aren't exactly the brightest idea the city has ever come up with, but it's still a good idea to obey the signs. If it's between 4 and 6 p.m. and you're headed eastbound on Grant, it really doesn't matter if you're in a hurry ÷ it's not a good idea to risk occupying the lane even if you don't see anyone coming the other way for at least 500 feet in front of you.

÷If you can't eat and drive, don't use a cell phone and drive. Though banning hand-held phones while driving is ridiculous, it's equally dumb to use one while driving if your concentration is less than adequate. If you've had near-accidents just from briefly taking a hand off the wheel to tune the radio, it's probably not a good idea to spontaneously call your best friend back in Pasadena while running the red light at the Speedway and Campbell intersection at rush hour.

Some people can drive and talk on a phone at the same time. Others cannot. Quickly figure out which category you fall into. After all, Tucson's streets aren't a good place to tempt God.

The most important thing for Californians to remember while driving around the UA is patience. The "I want it, and I want it now" attitude doesn't fly down here ÷ no matter how much your folks paid for your wheels.