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Traffic rules in Florida

Eastbourne, United...
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Traffic rules in Florida
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Hi everyone

Would really appreciate everyone's help with this.

We went to Florida last August and didn't hire a car but we're going again this July (yes we loved it so much there!) and have decided to hire a car this time.

When we were there, we noticed several different rules when driving and didn't understand a lot.

In particular there's the red traffic light, when can you go through it?!!

I remember stop signs, that even when there's no other traffic anywhere nearby, you have to stop - the bus driver told me that you get a fine if you don't by the police there.

So what other rules can people give me or hints about the differences there to driving in England, so that hubby and I can drive as safely as possible, without annoying to many others if we haven't got a clue what to do at certain signs, lights, road markings, etc?!

Any information very gratefully received!

england
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55 reviews
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1. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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You can turn right on a red light if there is no traffic coming, I remember that one..first day we could not understand why 3 different people seemed to be beeping us and telling us to move when the lights show red!

You must stop at a stop sign, slowing down is not good enough you must physically come to a stop even though it looks clear.

And the most important one...DONT DRIVE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!! (or of course I could say drive on the wrong side of the road lol)

Northeast PA
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2. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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You can turn right at a red light AFTER STOPPING and where there are no signs that say "No turn on red".

Alpharetta, Georgia
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3. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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Hi

Having driven in both America nd England the difference's aren't that great. Mainly our roads are much wider!!! You can turn right on a red light after you have stopped to make sure nothing is coming. You can NOT go through a red light if turning left or going straight ahead. Also our light system is different, there is no yellow in between the light going from red back to green, it just goes from red straight to the green light to go. It will turn yellow only going from green to red. The majority of our cars are automatic so we don't need the yellow to get into gear. Also, you must stop at every stop sign regardless of other cars or not. Even if you can see your the only car approaching you must make a full stop. We over take from any lane on the highways here, not just the far left lane. If you see a school bus pulled over with red lights flashing and a stop sign sticking out the side of the bus you must stop and wait. Both sides of traffic have to stop until the bus unloads and turn off the lights and stop sign, than you can move on.

That's all I can think of for now. It really is very straight forward and easy to drive here.

Melbourne, Florida
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for Melbourne, Florida, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge
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4. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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http://goflorida.about.com/od/gettingtoaroundflorida/ss/fla_driving_2.htm

Try the above site, it has the Florida drivers handbook on it.

The rules on red lights are that you always have to stop for a red light. You can not go straight or turn left until the light turns green. However you can turn right after stopping if there is no sign saying no turns on red and if the traffic is clear, you also have to yeild to any moving traffic and pedestrians.

You do have to stop at all stop signs. Most are only 2-way stop signs, then you just have to look left & right & if clear you can go. Some are 4-Way stop signs, where everyone has to stop & you take turns going.

Let us know what other signs you have questions on.

L38
manchester, uk
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5. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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You can turn right on a red light after you have stopped, which is a great idea! be careful on the motorway as sometimes the lane you are using will become the exit road and before you know it you have come off the motorway. Not a major problem as you can get back on. They tend to have a 4 way give way sign at junctions as opposed to a roundabout. I asked my friend who lives there about this one and she said whoever gets there first should have right away! Don't worry about the driving too much I've always found it ok. My biggest problem is in a car park remembering to be on the right!!!!

Northeast PA
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6. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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Also watch for left turn lights, just because there is a green light for traffic to move forward/turn right there may also be a light controlling the left turn. This will be the far left light on the light pole. This also works in reverse, left turn may have green when forward movement/right turn has red.

Newcastle, United...
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7. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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This is not applicable to normal driving situations but I presume that you will be using the vehicle to go to some or all of the theme parks. REMEMBER WHERE YOU PARK THE CAR!

There are numerous car parks holding thousands of identical vehicles. Dont do what we did on our first trip and just park up, go and enter the park and then not remember which car park it was in. Its a long, forlorn operation walking up and down all those rows of parked cars constantly pushing the key fob and hoping that you will get an answering "beep"

Bath, UK
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8. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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I think the right-turn on red has been covered now ;-) The 4-way stop is always a tricky one to get right. Just make sure you come to a stop at the line, and then go when it's your turn. It seems to be a sort of instinctive thing as to when you go, but it's the person who got their first has priority. On the Interstates, you can freely pass vehicles on either side, so just do whatever speed you are comfortable doing in whatever lane you want. On quieter stretches, the general rule is slow cars keep to the right, but you can still pass on either side. Also, watch out for Interstate exits, as they can be on either side of the road, left or right!

White lines divide lanes of traffic travelling in the same direction, and yellow lines divies lanes of traffic travelling in oposite directions, but other than that, it's like the UK, where you can't cross a solid line.

Never, ever, park in front of a fire hydrant.

Always stop behind the school bus when he is stopped with lights flashing and the stop sign out.

Don't flash your lights to let someone out at a junction, as they don't seem to do that at all in my experience, they just seem to slow down or gesture with their hand that they are letting you out.

If you need to change lanes, indicate in plenty of time and move into a gap. Again, they don't seem to indicate that they are letting you out, but if your indicator is on, and there is a gap, then just go for it.

In Florida, always drive forwrds into a parking space in a car park (except theme parks), as they only have number plates on the rear, so like to be able to read it from the roadway. Some car parks have signs saying this, others don't, but I've got in to the habit of doing it everywhere just to be sure.

Can't think of much else at the moment, hopefully that is of some use.

Tampa FL
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9. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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All good advice given so far. I want to add one more note: When making a left turn from a left turn only lane (think of a right hand turn from a right turn only lane at home) where you have to cross oncoming traffic, you probably will have a dedicated traffic signal for that lane. It will definite have a green, and a yellow light and a red light. There may also be a green arrow and/or a red arrow light. If you have a solid green light you must give way to oncoming traffic before completing your turn. If you have a green arrow, that means you have the right of way and can proceed even if there are cars coming from the opposite direction because they will have a red light. Never the less, use caution because you never know, there may be some crazy Brit (oops, sorry) crazy American not paying attention. If you have a solid red light or a red arrow that just means stop.

The 4-way stop should not take long to get used to. As has been said whoever gets there first goes first. In the unlikely event two cars arrive at precisely the same moment the car on the right has right of way, but usually the two drivers will make eye contact and one may very well wave the other through ahead of them-not in the handbook but it happens in real life situation.

I think you will find the most disconcerting thing about driving on the "wrong" side of the road is not really driving on the "wrong" side of the road, but on the "wrong" side of the car. It will take some time to get used to having all of that car to your right instead of to your left.

Joe

Tampa FL

Cheshire, England
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3,386 posts
43 reviews
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10. Re: Traffic rules in Florida
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Also, if it starts to rain, put your headlights on, and always, always carry your full drivers license and rental agreement with you, as fines have benn known to be given for not carrying your drivers license with you.

Other than that, the other advise is excellent. Take your time, and have a blast!

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