Driving in Orlando and Miami
Discussion
Hi, as per the title I've never driven in the States before, in fact I've not been there either, so I was wondering what should I be looking out for (and no I don't mean other road users lol) whats different to our roads? and yes I know I'll be driving on the opposite side of the road too, thats before I get all the funny comments. Thanks in advance
My experience is that drivers are considerably more courteous there than in the UK. Just take your time, no need to rush. In orlando in particular virtually everyone is on vacation, and drivers can still do stuff that makes you think WTF.
You can turn right on red lights (except when it says don't) and a STOP means just that.
4 way crossings take a bit of adjusting too as the person who arrives first gets right of way.
Everyone pulls straight into parking spaces, no reverse parking.
You can turn right on red lights (except when it says don't) and a STOP means just that.
4 way crossings take a bit of adjusting too as the person who arrives first gets right of way.
Everyone pulls straight into parking spaces, no reverse parking.
You may well get lots of posts on here saying how easy it is to drive in the states, this isn't one of them.
I find driving in Florida quite difficult.
The signposting is appalling whether to towns or areas, if you are on the freeway it is no where near as clear as over here and if you are in the wrong lane it's easy to sail past or find yourself coming off where you don't want to.
If you do come off a freeway and want to get back on, again, you have to go all round the houses, it makes roundabouts look simple.
The roads are often in dreadful condition and people are very laid back with driving, but beware of road rage as many are armed.
I never found speed limits to be strictly enforced and the driving on the left wasn't an issue.
I hope that doesn't put you off as it's a great place.
I find driving in Florida quite difficult.
The signposting is appalling whether to towns or areas, if you are on the freeway it is no where near as clear as over here and if you are in the wrong lane it's easy to sail past or find yourself coming off where you don't want to.
If you do come off a freeway and want to get back on, again, you have to go all round the houses, it makes roundabouts look simple.
The roads are often in dreadful condition and people are very laid back with driving, but beware of road rage as many are armed.
I never found speed limits to be strictly enforced and the driving on the left wasn't an issue.
I hope that doesn't put you off as it's a great place.
I visit Florida (Miami/Naples) a few times a year and I find driving there really enjoyable. You will soon get used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road, and I find other drivers much more courteous than over here (much less tailgating). I only have experience of Florida, but I found that you really ought to stick to the speed limits as compared to the UK there are many more Police monitoring speed.
Regards to signing, I guess we are old hands now, but signing in general in the USA is too little too late. I tend to use google maps for navigation. but having a spotter on your first few trips out is beneficial. They are a lot more flexible about "pulling a "u"ey" than us, and if I get it wrong generally just do a 180 at the next intersection.
Nearly forgot, look out for the carpool lane on the freeway, or the HOV as it's sometimes called.
As long as you're not the only person in the car, 2 occupants is the minimum required, during peak traffic the carpool lane always seemed to move faster than the other lanes.
I found driving around California and Nevada a doddle, not driven anywhere else in the US.
As long as you're not the only person in the car, 2 occupants is the minimum required, during peak traffic the carpool lane always seemed to move faster than the other lanes.
I found driving around California and Nevada a doddle, not driven anywhere else in the US.
I don't know what you plan is but there are toll roads between Miami and Orlando. When we rented a car for a holiday last year we accepted the Rental's "pre paid" toll plan. I guess it may have been more expensive but made it much easier to navigate (no problems with straying onto the wrong road)
School buses which are pulled over and have a stop sign flashing - you must stop! Doesn't matter which side of the road you are on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_bus_traffic_s...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_bus_traffic_s...
You can turn right when the lights are red, unless there is a sign saying you can't. Watch out for crossing pedestrians when you do though.
Watch out for the occasional nutter weaving down the highway at high-speed!
4-way stop signs are interesting if everyone arrives at the same time. I guess in theory the first person goes first but generally everyone looks confused until somebody goes for it.
Watch out for the occasional nutter weaving down the highway at high-speed!
4-way stop signs are interesting if everyone arrives at the same time. I guess in theory the first person goes first but generally everyone looks confused until somebody goes for it.
A word or two of warning. Miami is not really the USA, lots of really crap drivers who are far more interested in looking at their phones than the road ahead of them. Use of indicators is apparently optional, most of them don't know how roundabouts (traffic circles) work and will screech to a halt to let you out onto the roundabout or pull out in front you as they think they have priority.
Cops are pretty cool here, almost no radar traps (have seen 2 in over 3 years), but they are everywhere. If stopped, don't get out of the car, keep your hands visible, etc.
For your info they found that they had more accidents here on the straight buts of freeway than on the curvy bits. Reason is that people stop texting while negotiating the curves.....
Cops are pretty cool here, almost no radar traps (have seen 2 in over 3 years), but they are everywhere. If stopped, don't get out of the car, keep your hands visible, etc.
For your info they found that they had more accidents here on the straight buts of freeway than on the curvy bits. Reason is that people stop texting while negotiating the curves.....
Watch out for British tourists on the wrong side of the road.
When at a major crossroads, look to the distance and work out where you need to end up and drive towards it when allowed. It is very easy to find yourself on the wrong side of a median after turning at a big junction. You'll know what I mean once you start driving over there.
When at a major crossroads, look to the distance and work out where you need to end up and drive towards it when allowed. It is very easy to find yourself on the wrong side of a median after turning at a big junction. You'll know what I mean once you start driving over there.
Don't hesitate - it's easy peasy. I visit the states pretty much every month for business and have driven in New York, Philli, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Fran, Detroit and North Carolina. I find it easier and more relaxing to drive in the US than here in England where everyone seems pissed off all the time!
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