Safety Tips for Your Florida Road Trip

Make Sure Your Vehicle Is in Tip Top Shape

To avoid an unexpected roadside emergency, invest in preventative automobile maintenance. Get your automobile ready for summer vacation travel. In case of an emergency, it is a good idea to have a kit for your vehicle that includes:

• First aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Hand tools
• Flashlight with new batteries
• Jack
• Gloves
• Cellular phone charger

Consider a Rental

Another consideration would be renting a vehicle for your vacation. The family sedan is many times not suited for long trips and renting is often cheaper than the cost of the wear and tear on your own vehicle. Look for coupons offering a free class upgrade giving you a larger vehicle for the same price. Reservations should be made well in advance of your trip to ensure you get the vehicle you want and do shop around for the best deal.

Travel Safely With Pets

If you are taking your pets in the car with you, these tips are sure to be helpful.

Be sure they have the proper ID, their shots are up to date, and don’t forget their special needs when packing travel supplies. Most importantly, leaving your pet in a parked car can be a deadly mistake — especially in the Florida heat.

Know Local Motor Vehicle Laws

Knowing the rules of the road and following them is another detail of safe summer driving.

Know the roads you will be traveling and the laws governing the State. Drive the speed limit, refrain from making unsafe lane changes and tailgating other motor vehicles, remember to use turn signals and headlights when required. Stay away from aggressive or erratic drivers — don’t get personally involved or challenge them. Some particular Florida laws you to know are:

• Move over: Florida law requires you to move over one lane (if you can safely do so) or drop your speed to 20 mph less than the speed limit for stopped emergency vehicles, wreckers, sanitation or utility service vehicles.
• Child restraint: Florida law requires children under age 5 to be properly secured in a federally approved child restraint system and children 3 or younger must use a separate car seat or the vehicles built-in car seat.

Be Aware of the Weather

Driving in Florida during the summer offers some unique challenges. The intense heat and our regular summer rainstorms are road hazards that cause many breakdowns and accidents. SafeCar.gov offers advice and tips to help motorists and their automobiles avoid trouble.

Taking the time to handle these details will help get your Florida vacation off to a good start. Above all, remember to relax, keep your cool, and take it easy — that’s what vacations are for.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/driving-to-florida-1512043

Florida Vacation & Travel Guide (kindly check the link for more details)

https://www.tripsavvy.com/florida-vacation-travel-guide-1513694

Florida Travel Ideas (kindly check the link for more details)

http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/travel-ideas.html

Driving in Florida Tips for Visitors

Tips for visitors who are driving in Florida on their vacation.

FLORIDA DRIVING TIPS

• Of course, remember to drive on the right side of the road.
• Legal speed limits are posted on the right side of the road.
• You may turn right at a red light after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign indicating “no right on red” is posted at the intersection.
• Headlights must be on from dusk to dawn, as well as in fog or rain. Turn off windscreen wipers when stopping at toll booths.
• When law enforcement vehicles are in one of the “break-down” lanes, either assisting a motorist or pulling over a speeding vehicle, you must move to the far lane, away from the police or slow to 20 miles per hour below the speed limit.
• Law requires wearing your seat belt. In addition, children under age 4 or less than 40 pounds (15 kg) must be in a child car seat, usually available from your car hire company.
• Driving in Florida while drinking alcohol or while under the influence of alcohol is illegal. Appoint a “designated driver” in your group who will drink only non-alcoholic beverages and drive home safely.
• Drivers may dial *FHP on Florida interstates and highways in an emergency to reach the Florida Highway Patrol (state police).
• Some interstate highways have tolls – for example, the Florida Turnpike (Ocalato Homestead), Alligator Alley (1-75 between Miamiand Naples) and the Bee Line Expressway (Orlando to Cape Canaveral). Many coastal islands have bridges, at which a fare is also charged.
• Motorists who travel Florida’s Turnpike in Miami-Dade county will pay Florida tollsvia an all-electronic collection system. Officials caution motorists that under no circumstances should they attempt to stop in high-speed electronic tolling lanes. For more information about the toll road changes, click here.
• You only need your documentation of identification, such as your driver’s license from your native country, to drive in Florida. You do not need an international driving permit.

CAR RENTAL

To rent a car you must have your driving license, passport and a credit card. The minimum age for car hire is 21, but some agencies will charge more for drivers under 25 years of age. Major companies will allow you to pick up a car in one location and drop it off in another (for an extra charge). Most major companies also have programs allowing customers to utilize the TOLL-BY-PLATE electronic collection system wherein tolls, plus varying service fees, are automatically charged to the credit card used to rent the vehicle. For details, including pricing options at participating car agencies, visit www.sunpass.com/rentalcar. You can generally make reservations before you leave your country, either by phone or online.

There are also alternative ways to get around Florida without a car. With these tips for driving in Florida in mind, enjoy the warmth and relaxation that the Sunshine offers!

http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/visitor-services/driving-in-florida-tips-for-visitors-and-vacationers.html