Did you know that there are ten driving rules in Florida that you may not know? This article will cover speed, No-pass Zones, Railroad Violations, and Buzzed Driving.
If you live in Florida, you are probably aware of the state’s speed limits and distracted driving laws. But did you know there are additional essential rules? You must abide by the right-of-way and speed limits.
These laws differ from state to state, so read up on them! We strongly advise you to read them all! There is also information on what to do if you are stopped for breaking one of these laws.
This article will go over these topics and more. Hopefully, you’ll better understand these critical Florida laws by the end of this article.
10 Florida Driving Laws You May Not Be Aware Of!
Here are some Florida driving rules you may not know, such as when you can turn left at a red light when you must yield to pedestrians, and more. Out of generic curiosity, you should also be aware that you must adhere to the posted speed limit to avoid receiving a ticket.
Furthermore, never drive against the flow of traffic. This can lead to a car accident. So, to stay safe on the roads, follow these Florida driving laws!
- Florida Speeding Laws
Understanding the basic rule that you cannot drive faster than the posted speed limit is the first step in understanding Florida speeding laws. This means you can’t go more quickly than 55 miles per hour in most cases. However, other statutes and rules in Florida may make this a different story. Drivers must obey posted speed limits in these situations, generally thirty miles per hour on public roads and 55 miles per hour on private roads.
It is illegal to drive too close to another vehicle. Drivers in Florida are required by law to consider other road users and traffic flow. Drivers who tailgate are likely inexperienced and impatient. They may also be apprehended if they continue to violate traffic laws regularly. After being convicted of speeding, they must pay a fine to regain their license. If they fail to obey the speed limit, they may face a hefty fine.
- No-pass Zone
During certain times of the day, Florida law prohibits drivers from passing a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Examples are two-lane roads, areas with solid yellow lines, curves, and hills. Drivers are also not allowed to pass a vehicle that has crossed a railroad crossing. Passing is prohibited when the other car is more than 200 feet away from the given car. The following are situations in which you may encounter a no-pass zone and how to avoid them.
Before accelerating when approaching a no-pass zone, slow down and activate your left turn signal. Always leave enough space to stop and pass another vehicle when doing so. While you’re at it, you might want to move to the right side of the lane to give the other driver more room. You should also sound your horn to warn other drivers of your impending approach. Failure to do so could lead to a collision.
- Railroad Violation
A train passing over a street is one of the violations under Florida traffic laws. When a train approaches a street crossing, it must come to a complete stop or slow down and look over the tracks. Failure to follow this rule constitutes a noncriminal traffic violation as a moving violation under Chapter 318. While this violation may appear minor, it can have serious consequences. The following are some examples of railroad traffic violations.
- A railroad can reach speeds of more than 55 miles per hour. If it has to come to a complete stop, it could take one and a half miles.
- A car that collides with a train almost always loses. When approaching a railroad grade crossing, you must stop fifteen feet or fifty feet away from the nearest rail.
- Wait for the railroad to clear the road after you’ve stopped. This is a difficult task, and many drivers will try to pass you by.
- Intoxicated Driving
The prosecutor must prove that the driver had actual physical control of the vehicle to charge the driver with being under the influence of alcohol. The ability to operate a car is referred to as ‘actual physical control’ in Florida. A driver with their keys inside the vehicle has this ability, whereas a driver outside the car does not. The prosecutor must also show that the driver was under drugs or alcohol while driving.
Out of surprise checking, if a driver is suspected of being under alcohol, they must submit to chemical tests under Florida law. Different levels of blood alcohol content (BAC) in a blood sample are permitted by the state.
Adult drivers are considered under the influence of alcohol if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent. Commercial drivers are charged with being under the influence if their BAC is 0.04 percent.
- Reckless Driving
According to Florida traffic laws, if you exceed the posted speed limit by more than 30 miles per hour, you may be charged with reckless driving. This offense carries serious consequences, such as hefty fines and jail time. Furthermore, reckless driving can lead to more serious traffic violations such as vehicular homicide. Here are some tips to keep you safe on the road if you are caught speeding.
Reckless driving can result in serious legal consequences, including a criminal record and long-term effects on insurance premiums. A knowledgeable Florida DUI attorney will be able to assist you in fighting the charges. They have 30 years of courtroom experience as both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Call them now for a free consultation on your Reckless Driving case. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and your options.
- Spinning Stops
When you come across a stop sign, you should first slow down and come to a complete stop, even if you believe you can continue. If you don’t have time to stop, this can save you from an accident. The same principle applies to rolling stops, but the severity varies. The consequences of moving through a stop sign are less severe than speeding through one. To avoid traffic tickets, obey the signs.
A new Florida law makes it more difficult for police officers to write tickets for rolling stops. According to a recent survey, most officers use discretion when issuing tickets to drivers who violate traffic laws.
The Mark Wandall Act, on the other hand, seeks to improve safety rather than pad budgets. Seventy-eight percent of Florida agencies still do not have a clear definition of “careful and prudent,” They use discretion when ticketing drivers.
- Highway Lane Modifications
Drivers must keep their vehicle’s lane clear of other cars to change lanes on the highway. Some drivers, however, make this mistake. According to Florida law, if the driver wishes to change lanes, they must do so in the far right lane. When approaching a police vehicle, they should also slow down by at least 20 mph. Fines are imposed for violations of Florida’s highway lane-changing law. However, if you plan ahead of time, you can avoid making these common mistakes.
To ensure that you are adhering to Florida’s lane-changing laws, you must first determine whether or not another vehicle is approaching. You may not be able to see other vehicles, but you must be able to change lanes safely while avoiding other vehicles traveling in the same direction as you. Failure to obey Florida traffic laws can result in citations and a $161 fine.
- Wrong-Side Driving
Florida Traffic Laws define wrong-side driving as driving on the wrong side of the road.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has a Strategic Highway Safety Plan to raise public awareness of highway safety and improve motorists’ understanding of engineering solutions and best practices. Drivers on the wrong side of the road must slow down, pull off the road, and proceed with extreme caution. In some cases, dialing 911 may be necessary. Drivers should also obey speed limits and avoid driving while distracted, impaired, or high on drugs.
While drivers must yield to pedestrians, they must also adhere to the same rules as motorists. At crosswalks, drivers should give pedestrians at least three feet of space. Drivers should keep an eye out for bicyclists when making a left turn. These laws may result in a traffic citation, and victims may seek compensation for their injuries. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists must follow all Florida traffic laws.
- Florida School Bus Passing Laws
Before passing a stopped school bus in Florida, drivers must come to a complete stop. Passing a school bus on the side where children exit the bus is against Florida traffic laws. The school district will forward images of the infraction to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The driver will then receive a notice of fines in the mail from the agency. The vehicle’s owner can contest the court penalty or have their registration revoked.
Passing a stopped school bus carries a different penalty depending on which side of the road the bus is on. If the violation occurs for the first time, the driver may receive four points on their license. If the offender commits the offense a second or third time, their permission may be suspended for two years or more. A driver may face a one-year suspension if caught for the third time.
- Right-of-way laws
If you’re driving through Florida, you need to know that the right-of-way laws apply to all intersections without traffic signals. For example, you must yield to vehicles coming from the right. Additionally, you must keep your lane while driving through a meeting, and you can’t walk on the road between intersections. Also, remember that it’s illegal to drive through a pedestrian crosswalk and not stop.
While the law states that drivers must yield to pedestrians, it also requires drivers to pay for drivers with white canes and blindness. Also, drivers must stop for a stopped school bus. In violation of these laws, drivers may face a mandatory hearing. This fascinating regulation has been implemented to keep our roads safe and minimize accidents. However, the rules may be a little complicated. Before getting behind the wheel, familiarize yourself with all applicable laws and regulations.
Bottom-line
Contact Ovadia Law Group if you have been injured in an automobile accident. We provide specialized legal advice to those injured in vehicle accidents and are committed to obtaining the best possible compensation for their cases. This unique law group comprises experienced car accident attorneys. And the clients may be confident that they will not be charged any upfront costs. Ovadia Law Group can help you with your legal questions. At the same time, our offices are situated in Miami, Boca Raton, Fort Myers, and Orlando, Florida.
Call 1-800-674-9396 soon if you need a lawyer for a vehicle accident. You may acquire the money you need to pay your medical bills and other expenditures by working with an attorney from Ovadia Law Group. It is possible to counter these techniques with the assistance of a car insurance attorney.
