QandAs: Autos

What are the Florida State Driving Laws?

Answer:
Florida operates under a points system for drivers.

All drivers will be awarded points against their driving record for violating driving laws. Common violations and the points they earn are:

·                    Speeding – 3 – 6 points, depending on speed
·                    Violating traffic sign or device – 4 points
·                    Child restraint violation – 3 points
·                    Reckless driving – 4 points

If a driver accumulates 12 points within a year, that license will be suspended for up to a month.

Under the seatbelt laws in the state of Florida, the driver and any passengers in the front seat must wear seatbelts. Also, anyone under the age of 18 must wear a seatbelt no matter where they sit in the vehicle. Children five and under must be in a child safety seat. Failure to follow these laws earns a $30 fine plus court costs and surcharges. Anyone 20 or younger who is on a motorcycle must wear a helmet.

Many busy interstates in Florida have High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, which are marked by diamonds on the road and signage. If you are in these lanes during rush hour, you must have more than one person in your vehicle. They are designed for those in a car pool.

You must never exceed the posted speed limit while driving in Florida. Doing so will cause you to have points added to your record. You will also be fined. In school zones, you must not go more than 20 mph. City streets have a speed limit of 30 mph. Most highways and other roads have a speed limit of 55 mph. Limited access highways and rural interstates have a speed limit of 70 mph. There are no cell phone restrictions in the state of Florida.

If you are driving and an emergency vehicle is approaching from the front or rear with its lights flashing, pull over to the closest edge of the roadway and stop until the vehicle passes you. However, do not do this if it causes you to block an intersection. If you are on a highway or freeway with two lanes traveling the same direction and come upon an emergency vehicle on the side of the road, and you are in the lane closest to that vehicle, then you should pull into another lane if you can.


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