Florida Driving Laws You Should Know

Florida is known for its tourist destinations, warm weather, and sandy beaches. For better or for worse, the sunshine state is also known for its drivers. When you’re hitting the road in Florida, you can expect to encounter everything from heavy traffic to erratic drivers. 

Knowing how to handle Florida drivers is an important skill to have. However, it’s just as important to know the laws of the road before you get behind the wheel. Some driving related laws in Florida aren’t always known by every driver, for example, did you know that a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle? Keep reading today’s blog to learn more about some of Florida’s driving laws. 

Moving Over For Law Enforcement

In the state of Florida, you are legally required to to move over one lane when there is an emergency vehicle or law enforcement vehicle pulled off to the side of the road. This law was brought into existence with the Move Over Act. If you are unable to move over or you are on a one lane road, you are required to slow down to at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. This law helps protect emergency service workers and law enforcement that have to enter and exit their vehicles after pulling off to the side of the road.

Driving Too Slow

We all know that you can be pulled over for speeding, but did you know that you could get in trouble for going too slow? It’s true, if you are driving at such a slow speed that you are blocking or endangering other motorists, you could receive a ticket. The exception to this rule is if you are encountering a situation that requires slowing down, such as the previously mentioned rule about moving over or slowing down for a pulled over emergency vehicle. While most speeding related tickets are for going too fast, make sure you’re not one of the few that is going too slow!

Highway Entrance Ramps

When a driver is attempting to enter a highway via a highway entrance ramp, there is a specific etiquette they should follow. Slowing down or even stopping on the highway entrance ramp is dangerous and can potentially cause an accident. Due to the fast moving traffic that you’ll be trying to merge into, it’s best to safely increase your speed to the point where you’ll be able to safely merge into the highway traffic. However, going too fast can cause an accident as well, so make sure to hit a happy medium.

A Bicycle is Considered a Vehicle… Sometimes

Did you know that in Florida, a bicycle is considered a vehicle? When a bicycle is being ridden on a road shared by other cars, it is legally considered a vehicle. However, when a bicycle is being ridden on a sidewalk, it is considered a pedestrian. In some areas, it is actually illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in the first place. Make sure to check out your local laws regarding bicycles to fully understand how your bicycle will be classified in the case of an accident.

Knowing all the ins and outs of Florida driving laws can help protect you on the road. However, even the safest drivers can find themselves in an accident. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN. If you’ve been involved in an accident, the guidance from a personal injury attorney could help navigate the aftermath. It is helpful to have legal and medical experts on your side. The experts at 1-800-411-PAIN can help explain your options, fight for the compensation you deserve, and guide you through a swift recovery.

If you or a loved person has been injured in an accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN today. Our legal professionals can help you navigate the tricky process of filing an insurance claim. Our medical professionals are here to provide you with the treatment you need. Remember, after 911, call 411.