Can you wear red in Vietnam?

What happens if you accidentally ran a red light in Ontario?

Ugh, I can still feel my stomach drop. It was last fall, maybe late October, driving my beat-up 2014 Elantra. I was heading west on Eglinton in Toronto, trying to make a left at Don Mills. It was that annoying time, around 4:30 PM, sun in my eyes, traffic everywhere.

My brain was just fried from work. I was following the car in front of me, thinking about what to make for dinner. The advance green arrow was on, then it started flashing. The car ahead went, and I just followed. Dumb. So dumb.

Halfway through the turn, I saw the flash out of the corner of my eye. The red light camera. It's this instant, sick feeling. Not a cop in sight, but you know you’re caught. I just said a bad word out loud to myself in the car. Knew a ticket was coming.

About three weeks later, there it was in my mail. An official-looking envelope from the City of Toronto. They even included a lovely photo of my car, clear as day, with the red light shining bright. My license plate perfectly framed. Fantastic.

So, here’s the real deal on what happens. It's different depending on HOW you get caught.

• Red Light CAMERA Ticket (like mine):

  • The fine is $325. It's a set fine, no arguing.
  • NO demerit points. This is the most important part. The ticket is issued to the owner of the vehicle, not the driver, because the camera doesn't know who is behind the wheel.
  • It does not affect your insurance. Since there are no demerit points and it's not on your driving record, your insurance company won't know about it.

• Pulled Over by a POLICE OFFICER:

  • This is way worse.
  • The fine is also $325.
  • You get 3 demerit points added to your driver's license. This is the killer.
  • Your car insurance rates will go up. It's a major conviction and insurers hate it.
  • Too many demerit points will lead to a driver's license suspension.

What is a prohibited U-turn?

So, a prohibited U-turn, right? It's basically when you, like, flip your car around in a way that the law says "nope, don't do that." It's not allowed.

Think of it this way, they're done for safety, you know? Like, to stop people from crashing into each other or causing a whole mess of confusion on the road.

If you do it when you're not supposed to, it's a traffic violation. It’s a really bad idea, seriously. Can cause accidents, or just make everyone else on the road be like, "Whoa, what is this guy doing?"

Basically, if there are signs saying "No U-turn" or it's in a spot that's just obviously not safe, like a busy intersection or a narrow street, then you just don't do it. It’s a clear no-go zone.

Here's the deal with those no-U-turn spots:

• Visible Signage: You'll often see a red circle with a slash over a U-turn symbol. That's your universal "do not pass" signal for this maneuver.
• Median Strips: If there's a physical barrier or a raised median, you usually can't just cut across it to turn around.
• Intersections:Major intersections, especially those with traffic lights, are usually a no-go for U-turns. They're designed for traffic flow in specific directions.
• One-Way Streets: Obviously, you can't U-turn on a one-way street. That's just chaos waiting to happen.
• Curves and Hills: Anyplace where visibility is limited, like on a sharp curve or the crest of a hill, is also a prohibited spot. You can't see what's coming.
• Pedestrian Crossings: Turning around right where people are trying to walk across the street is just asking for trouble.
• Bridge or Tunnel: These are generally off-limits for U-turns because of the confined space and limited visibility.

The penalty for doing it anyway can be a ticket and points on your license. Plus, the real danger is if you cause an accident. That's way worse than just a fine. My cousin Barry got a ticket for one once, and he said it was like fifty bucks, which was a lot back then.

How is driving in Germany different from the USA?

The left lane is for passing. That’s it. You live in the right lane. This isn't a friendly tip; it's the Rechtsfahrgebot. A fundamental law. Camp in the left lane, and you will understand the meaning of a headlight flash from an approaching vehicle. Passing on the right is a serious violation.

• Autobahn Speed: Forget universal speed limits. On many stretches, there are none. Just a "recommended" 130 km/h. I was doing 210 km/h outside Munich last week, and a 911 disappeared past me. The US system feels like a parking lot.

• Right-of-Way: The default at unmarked intersections is Rechts vor Links. Car from the right has priority. There's no all-way stop to save you. Hesitation is dangerous. Americans hunt for stop signs that aren’t there.

• Turning on Red: Prohibited. Period. The only exception is a specific green arrow sign (grüner Pfeil). Otherwise, don't even think about it. It’s a guaranteed fine.

• Driver's License: The German test is a trial. It costs thousands of euros and demands precision, including first aid certification and night driving. The US DMV test is a formality. This creates a different caliber of driver.

• Enforcement: Hidden speed cameras, the Blitzer, are everywhere. They're not for warnings. They mail you a ticket with your portrait on it. Tailgating is measured scientifically from bridges (Abstandsmessung). The fines are severe.

• Blood Alcohol: The legal limit is 0.05% BAC. For new drivers or anyone under 21, it's 0.0%. There is zero tolerance. Police conduct random traffic stops specifically for this.

• Emergency Corridor: During a traffic jam (Stau), you must form an emergency corridor (Rettungsgasse). Cars in the far-left lane move to the far left; all other lanes move to the far right. You clear a path. Failure to do so is not an option.