Driving In Florida
Discussion
Ranger 6 said:
Dragging this one up I guess there's not been any further change in IDP requirement?
Also, one for Matt - as a 'Touron' what should I be doing to avoid the attention of the Florida BiB?
Don't drive like a dick and basically just keep up with the main flow of traffic. Undertaking is allowed but be careful. You can normally turn right against a Red light providing you treat it as a give way unless signed otherwise. Also watch out for School buses. Easy to spot they are bright Yellow and look like they were built in the 50's. Never overtake if they are stopped/stopping and lights are flashing. Similarly Any School Zones need to be treated with caution as limits can be lower if lights are flashing. It's wise to read the signs in the area.Also, one for Matt - as a 'Touron' what should I be doing to avoid the attention of the Florida BiB?
Pretty much covered above - only to add that the FHP are far less forgiving than Orlando PD and Orange County Sheriffs Office - so overt speeding and aggressive lane-changing/weaving/tailgating etc will usually end badly.
Never speed in neighborhoods - not even 1mph over.
Parallel park facing same direction as travel. Don't block footpaths with vehicles. Your vacation home driveway will likely cross a footpath - no part of the vehicle can intrude into the footpath. Don't reverse-in park (license plate needs to be visible).
Be aware of vehicles behind you when approaching traffic lights. The tendency in the UK is to stop when the light goes yellow - the tendency here is to speed up, in order to get across the intersection before the light goes red. Locals are not going to expect you to stop on yellow.
Screaming abuse or using insulting hand-gestures toward fellow motorists is ill-advised. The dude who just cut you off could be George Zimmerman....
Other than that - pretty much the same as everywhere else.
Never speed in neighborhoods - not even 1mph over.
Parallel park facing same direction as travel. Don't block footpaths with vehicles. Your vacation home driveway will likely cross a footpath - no part of the vehicle can intrude into the footpath. Don't reverse-in park (license plate needs to be visible).
Be aware of vehicles behind you when approaching traffic lights. The tendency in the UK is to stop when the light goes yellow - the tendency here is to speed up, in order to get across the intersection before the light goes red. Locals are not going to expect you to stop on yellow.
Screaming abuse or using insulting hand-gestures toward fellow motorists is ill-advised. The dude who just cut you off could be George Zimmerman....
Other than that - pretty much the same as everywhere else.
Lots of red light cameras starting to sprout in the part of FL we frequent. So whilst its true the car behind wont be expecting you to drop anchors on yellows you may also want to be on the lookout for the camera (they are well signed also).
Also if its a camera monitored intersection you can still turn right on red (if not prohibited by signs) but you have to do it properly. So stop at the stop line on the road, not in the intersection where you have a good view and make the decision when to go, stop there as well if needed. Once you have done a full stop, proceed in a "prudent and safe" manner at less than 10mph to make the right turn. If you have done the above you shouldn't trigger the red light camera, but if you do all may not be lost as the infringement is videoed and reviewed by the BIB before issuing a ticket, so if you have done a safe turn within the guidelines you should be ok.
And yes, wasn't asked for my IDP in TPA last month, have never been asked for the paper part, but wouldn't want to be sitting in a jail cell because I find the one highway patrol officer in the entire continental united states that knows the plastic bit is worthless without the paper part. Also don't forget you are required to carry your driving licence when driving, shops will ask for it seeming at random anyway, and keep the car rental docs in the car because the BIB will want to see that too.
Whatever you do, if you see highway patrol or workers stopped on the road, move over 1 lane or slow down (-20 posted limit on interstate)
Also if its a camera monitored intersection you can still turn right on red (if not prohibited by signs) but you have to do it properly. So stop at the stop line on the road, not in the intersection where you have a good view and make the decision when to go, stop there as well if needed. Once you have done a full stop, proceed in a "prudent and safe" manner at less than 10mph to make the right turn. If you have done the above you shouldn't trigger the red light camera, but if you do all may not be lost as the infringement is videoed and reviewed by the BIB before issuing a ticket, so if you have done a safe turn within the guidelines you should be ok.
And yes, wasn't asked for my IDP in TPA last month, have never been asked for the paper part, but wouldn't want to be sitting in a jail cell because I find the one highway patrol officer in the entire continental united states that knows the plastic bit is worthless without the paper part. Also don't forget you are required to carry your driving licence when driving, shops will ask for it seeming at random anyway, and keep the car rental docs in the car because the BIB will want to see that too.
Whatever you do, if you see highway patrol or workers stopped on the road, move over 1 lane or slow down (-20 posted limit on interstate)
Couple of very good points in the post above - the 'move-over' law in particular.
As stated - turning right on red requires you to come to a complete stop before making the turn. Most, but not all camera monitored intersections are signposted and the camera is only activated when the light is red - not when it's yellow. Also remember that crossing traffic (who have the green) may be U-turning and could come into conflict with your turn on red.
Maniacs blazing through red lights is a problem of epidemic proportions - so another area of prudence is to be cautious when you are at the front of the line, when the light goes green. I always visually check for accelerating cross-traffic before leaving the line.
Sometimes you will encounter a pedestrian crossing at an intersection that is green for the pedestrians and the turning traffic - you must yield to pedestrians on the crosswalk in these cases. Also pedestrians ALWAYS have right of way in parking lots (however absent-minded and obstructive they are).
As stated - turning right on red requires you to come to a complete stop before making the turn. Most, but not all camera monitored intersections are signposted and the camera is only activated when the light is red - not when it's yellow. Also remember that crossing traffic (who have the green) may be U-turning and could come into conflict with your turn on red.
Maniacs blazing through red lights is a problem of epidemic proportions - so another area of prudence is to be cautious when you are at the front of the line, when the light goes green. I always visually check for accelerating cross-traffic before leaving the line.
Sometimes you will encounter a pedestrian crossing at an intersection that is green for the pedestrians and the turning traffic - you must yield to pedestrians on the crosswalk in these cases. Also pedestrians ALWAYS have right of way in parking lots (however absent-minded and obstructive they are).
Ranger 6 said:
Matt Harper said:
...Don't reverse-in park (license plate needs to be visible).
Thanks 
That one is completely alien to me, I have OCD about parking reverse in so I can just drive out.
king over it from a cop. At least he gave me the opportunity to explain why I did it, and to his credit he appreciated why due to me being a foreigner commie you should be grateful for us in 44 saved your limey asses kind of way. He explained that it was so he could check for vehicles that were wanted without having to get out of his veehickle. I refused to point out the potential benefits to his non existent waist line of a break from shiny trousers mode.
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