Florida Driving Tips
We’ve put together a few Florida driving tips to help you avoid some of the common mistakes non-American drivers often make.
Most of the Florida driving tips we will give you on this page relate to road JUNCTIONS in one form or another.
Ever wondered why you never see zebra crossings in American films?
How do pedestrians manage to cross the road in the States?
What about traffic lights?
How do you know when you can turn right?
Can you really turn right even if the lights are red?
These are just a few of the Florida driving tips that are coming up on this page.
Traffic Lights
Let’s take this slowly to make sure you have plenty of Florida driving tips and are well-prepared for meeting your first American traffic light!
Traffic lights are usually positioned in one of two places – either suspended above the road or on a post at the side of the road. There is no significance to their positioning; they are just where the planners thought they ought to go.
What do the various lights indicate? Here’s a list of possible suspects!
RED
A red signal light means STOP.
In most countries that’s the end of the story. But in America, it’s just the beginning of the fun! If you have stopped at a red light and all pedestrians and other oncoming vehicles have passed, you CAN TURN RIGHT.
You MUST come to a full stop first and you MUST be sure the road is absolutely clear. DO NOT turn right when the red light is on if there is a sign saying “NO TURN ON RED”.
This is one of the most misunderstood Florida driving tips ever. If in doubt, don’t do it. The car behind may honk at you but that is better than getting a ticket.
RED ARROW
A red arrow means “STOP” until the green signal or green arrow appears. You are NOT allowed to turn right at a red arrow.
FLASHING RED
A flashing red signal light should be treated the same way as a stop sign. STOP the car, look around and make sure it is safe to proceed, then go.
If a number of cars have all stopped from different directions the rule is;
“THE FIRST TO STOP IS THE FIRST TO GO”
YELLOW (or AMBER in Britain)
The yellow light warns you that the lights are about to turn red so you should stop if you have the distance to do so safely.
FLASHING YELLOW
A flashing yellow signal light is a warning light. Be really careful about what is ahead if you see a flashing yellow. It often warns you about unusual hazards so just get your eyes and brain in gear and BE CAREFUL.
YELLOW ARROW
- A yellow arrow means the “protected” turning time period is ending. This is like the turning off of a right turn filter light in Britain.
Be ready for the next signal. It could be either the green or red light or the red arrow.
GREEN
A green light means “GO” practically anywhere in the world! BUT make sure the road is clear first. You may not automatically have the right of way so let other vehicles, bikes and pedestrians get out of the way before you proceed.
You can turn left ONLY if you have enough space to complete the turn before any oncoming vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian becomes a hazard. Treat every left turn area as if it had one of those yellow grids on the floor. If you get caught in the middle of a left turn and become a hazard to traffic you can get a ticket.
Although it is true that left turning vehicles must always give way to those going straight, there is another sign that is designed specifically to remind you of the fact!
Don’t rely on this sign to remind you though because it is not posted at every set of traffic lights.
GREEN ARROW
A green arrow means “GO,” but first you must yield to any vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian still in the intersection. The green arrow pointing right or left allows you to make a “protected” turn (it works like a filter light in Britain); oncoming vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians are stopped by a red light as long as the green arrow is lighted.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL BLACKOUT
If all traffic signal lights are not working for some reason, treat the junction like an ALL-WAY STOP. That means come to a complete stop then proceed in the order that you arrived there.
This is one of the most important Florida driving tips I can give you so I’ll repeat it:
“THE FIRST TO STOP IS THE FIRST TO GO”
Pedestrian Crossings
Look out for these! They have no nice flashing lights or beacons and they certainly don’t have nice big, bold black and white lines right across the road!
In America, a place where you can walk across a road is called a ‘crosswalk’ (big surprise, right?).
They are usually just two white lines painted on the road. (See the picture)
But our list of Florida driving tips would be incomplete without making you aware of a couple of other things about pedestrians crossing too.
Firstly, if a blind or partially sighted pedestrian is crossing the road with a white stick or a guide dog, THAT PEDESTRIAN AUTOMATICALLY HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY. They may or may not be at a crosswalk – it makes no difference. You MUST stop for them.
Secondly, when you are approaching a crosswalk, look out for the limit line.
This is a line a few feet before the tramlines of the crosswalk itself. You should stop your car BEHIND THE LIMIT LINE.
I hope these Florida driving tips have helped you feel a bit more confident about getting into your hire car and driving away.
The Florida Highway Patrol is responsible for policing the roads of Florida and they have a great track record for helping foreigners overcome some of the problems we are not always aware of.
But I expect most of us would prefer to get our Florida driving tips from a website rather than from a traffic cop!
Take me back to the top of Florida driving tips
Take me back to the Car Hire in Florida Guide for UK Motorists
