Driving Information: Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere.

1. Vermilion has its own version of traffic rules...the woman with a carload of kids goes next at a 4-way stop. The truck with the biggest tires goes after that. (Note: Blue haired ladies driving anything have right of way anytime.)

2. To find anything in the city it is required that you know where the river bridge and the high level bridge are.

3. The morning rush hour is from 6:00 to 10:00. The evening rush hour is from 3:00 to 7:00. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.

4. If all the traffic lights are in working order, call in to work and tell them that you will be at least 30 minutes late regardless of where you are in your commute.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be (at the very least) rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot. This applies to male and female drivers alike.

6. You must know Liberty Ave., US6, West Lake Rd. and Cleveland Rd East are the same road; they just go through the city. We think this was a ploy to confuse outsiders and discourage visitors . Always, always, always, find out if it is a festival weekend before you get on any of these 'roads' to travel somewhere. If it is a festival weekend, stay home or go to the festival. You won't be going anywhere else.

7. Railroad construction is a welcome sight. No detours are set up to make the day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch very carefully for road hazards such as deer, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones, potholes, cats, pieces of other cars, truck tires, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and crows feeding on any of these items.

9. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been "accidentally activated".

10. The minimum acceptable speed on the east end US6 (east of the river bridge -see item 2 above) is 55 mph. Anything less is considered downright sissy. This is Vermilion Police Department's version of NASCAR. Especially during rush hour and everyone in the city is driving at once.

11. Never honk at anyone. Never, ever!! Seriously!

12. If you are on SR2 in the left lane, and only going 70 in a 65 zone, you are considered a road hazard, and will be "flipped a bird" accordingly.

13. Ground clearance of at least 12 inches is recommended for city driving.

14. Do not gawk at the woman in the car beside you in traffic who is applying make up, drinking a Diet Coke, smoking a Marlboro, and maintaining a steady speed of 60 mph on US6 in rush hour traffic. If she is coming from Lorain she might be packing. If she is
coming from Cleveland she IS packing and is not afraid to use it.

Weather Information:
If it's 70 degrees, Thanksgiving must be next weekend. If it's 10-20 degrees and sleeting/snowing, then watch out. Vermilion residents consider this "demolition derby" day and will be all over the roads (front ways, backways, etc). Please proceed with caution as you could be their next target.

Seasonal Information:
If it's cold and raining, it's spring. If it's warm and raining out, it's summer. If it's warm one week and cold the next, it's fall. If it's warm then cold, then warm, then snowing just before Christmas, it's winter.

General Information:
Vermilion is a festival town, honoring boats, birds, fish, caterpillars, snow, and whatever else people can drink to . The "Fish Festival" is a big summer
event. Unless you live here, it could be dangerous if you refer to it as the "Crappy Carp Festival. Don't ever mention the Woollybear Festival, or townspeople will know you're a tourist and treat you accordingly.

If you have a question re: the (real) history of Vermilion, Ohio click on the link below and "Ask Rich". He'll get back to you.