I'm Walkin' Here! Newbie Driving Advice for So. Pines

By Amanda Jakl

OK, Southern Pines isn't New York City, but for you new residents to the area, I'm Dustin Hoffman to your Jon Voight. Let me educate you on the nuances of So.Pines driving. No taxi slapping needed.


Southern Pines, in particular, takes a little getting used to. I can’t speak to Pinehurst, heck I still get turned around over there. Maybe some of you can post your own tips for figuring out the Golf Capital, but for me, I’ll focus on the Pines. You may have to pass a driving test, but that won’t prepare you for the street layouts or the one ways. Trust me, you’re in for a treat. So here’s a list of helpful tips for the first couple months of your (hopefully) long residency.

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• Broad Street is what makes Southern Pines. Anywhere else it would be called Main Street, but we have Broad. Yes, there are two of them and, yes, they are both one-way streets. Almost everyone at some point will accidentally turn the wrong way on the one-way street. Don’t worry, most veterans will just wave you to safety.
• East and West Broad Street are split by railroad tracks, while North and South are split at Pennsylvania Avenue.
• Midland Avenue is also known as Highway 2 until it winds its way downtown where it turns into Broad Street, which will eventually merge with Highway 1.

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• Crossing the railroad tracks takes some getting used to.  When crossing between the Broads, you have the right of way, so don’t stop. Confusing, yes, but trust me, everyone else will yield to you. Oh, and those stop signs aren’t suggestions. You do have to stop, not just hover over the brake. Save your hovering for yield signs.
• There will be people walking across Highway 1, sometimes at night, which is particularly terrifying. Although the recently completed construction on Highway 1 has made crossing more difficult, it still happens.  A pedestrian bridge would help (ooooh, maybe that will be my next petition).
• People drive mopeds, aka liquor cycles, on highways and will drive about 10 miles under the speed limit. Yes, it's illegal to hit them.  But if you do, I think they’re worth 60 points each.
• Some people park the wrong way on a street. No, they haven't had one too many at O'Donnell's. It’s a small town and it’s accepted. All you crazy rule followers just have to get over it. I know I did and it only took me three years. 

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• Yay for free parking! I spent more than 10 years in big cities, maneuvering parking meters, ramps and zones, and it’s so nice not to worry about getting towed for being in a 30-minute zone.
•  Nobody likes to signal when turning. The whole town is working on their telepathy and, honestly, it’s not working.
• Horns are not used, not even a friendly tap to tell someone the light is green. 
• You’ll get the occasional "thank you" wave for letting someone in front of you, but don’t expect it. You’ll just be disappointed.

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