According to Florida law you must have insurance on your vehicle. To register your vehicle, you must have proof of Florida coverage. The minimum requirement is $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) and $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP). If you have already been convicted of certain offenses or you have been in a vehicle crash previously, you should buy additional insurance coverage. The additional insurance coverage might include bodily injury liability coverage (BIL).
Before selecting an insurance provider, it is important that you compare the available rates. Most online resources provide free quotes, which have accredited Florida insurance policies. The Florida DMV has also approved them.
In addition to the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and the Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance coverage, insurance companies in Florida also provide optional coverage including comprehensive, collision, and underinsured and uninsured motorists coverage.
Insurance providers base their rates on several factors such as the driver’s driving record, the age, where the driver lives and the type of car they drive. If your driver’s license is clean, you will be eligible for a better insurance rate. If you are living in a city, the insurance rate will be higher than that in the less congested small towns. Every insurance company has its way of figuring out their rates. Therefore, you should expect different rates.
PIP insurance covers injury-related expenses irrespective of the person who was guilty in the vehicle accident. The covered benefits include; compensation for the needed medical expenses, lost services, lost wages and funeral expenses.
Some drivers require the BIL insurance. Those are the drivers with any previous violations or accidents. This insurance coverage helps pay for any permanent or serious injuries or death to other individuals if you cause a vehicle accident. This type of insurance carries 10/20 minimum. Put differently, the insurance company will pay $10,000 per every person for the injuries you cause to other people but cannot pay over $20,000.
No. You must get your insurance from a company licensed to sell in the state and through a Florida agent. Most insurers are not only licensed to sell policies in the state but also have agents. When registering your vehicle in Florida, you should ask your agent to transfer the current insurance to your current state of residence.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may suspend your driving privileges. That may include suspension of your vehicle’s license plate and the registration for a three year period. To continue driving, you will have to provide proof of insurance.
To reinstate your driving privileges again, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee that ranges between $50 and $500, depending on your violations. You should then provide proof of your Florida insurance.
If your vehicle remains in the state for over 90 days in a 365-day period, you will have to buy the PIP and PDL insurance coverage. The 90 days are not consecutive.
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Did you know that electronic devices are among the large distractions for newbie and experienced drivers alike in the United States? On average, the time a driver takes to glance at a short text message or to check who is calling is enough for the vehicle to move around 300 feet. In other words, the distance your vehicle moves when you are trying to identify the individual calling is enough to cause a collision or to strike a pedestrian.
Many drivers have also found themselves veering out of the road at such times. Most states have set laws to help stop distracted driving epidemic. Some of the laws have made mobile phone usage when driving illegal.
Even though distracted driving laws in Florida are now stricter, the limits depend on the driver using the communication device and the type of device it is. Currently, there are no laws that prohibit talking on a mobile phone when driving. In the entire state, a driver can choose to answer or make calls while still driving. They can also use their car’s hands-free system while still driving.
However, that does not mean that you can also send or read text messages when driving. The law expressly forbids drivers from texting, instant messaging and emailing when driving. Actually, it is unlawful for a driver in Florida to type anything into their virtual keyboard or hit buttons on a handheld or any other device to read or send messages.
Everyone will agree that texting while driving is illegal. However, the act of typewriting is not sufficient grounds for arrest. A police officer can only stop and pull over and charge a driver if he/she has violated other traffic rules, like running red lights.
Depending on the road rule violation, a driver caught while texting may face several fines and more consequences afterwards. For example, a driver who is found texting within a school zone will have two more points added to his/her license. A driver who causes an accident for using a phone to text while driving will have six more points on his driving license.
The law is tougher on bus and truck operators. Both bus and truck drivers can only use hands-free communication devices when driving. They can face charges if found using a handheld device – that is without committing any other violation. For the first time violation, they are likely to pay $500, while their company or employer pays a separate fine of up to $2,750. A driver who sends over three texts when on the road is likely to pay $2,750 fine and the employer pays $11,000. The driver will also have his license suspended for 120 days.
Keep in mind that there are several exceptions to the Florida’s texting and cell phone laws. A quick example: drivers can send messages from stationary vehicle or one that is not in operation. Also, the laws do not apply to fire engine, law enforcement or emergency vehicles provided that the drivers send the messages when working.
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By: Taylor Millstone
Most of us have littered at some point whether it’s a food wrapper, bottles, cans, or tobacco products.
Throughout Jacksonville, you’re very likely to find some trash or other rubbish along the road. However,
most people do not know some of the civil and even criminal penalties that can result from littering.
In Florida, if a person litters and the weight of the trash is no more than 15 pounds, there can be a
penalty of up to $100 dollars. If the litter is 15 to 500 pounds, it can become a first-degree
misdemeanor offense with up to 12 months in jail. It doesn’t stop there though. If the litter is 500
pounds or 100 cubic feet in volume, then the offense can become a third degree felony. You may also be
required to do community service such as litter pickup. Even though you are unlikely to alone produce
enough litter for a felony, even defending yourself for a minor infraction can be difficult. In a trial, the
burden of proof falls on you.
The defendant is responsible for proving why they had the right to dump litter rather than the state proving why the defendant didn’t have the right to dump litter. If you tossed trash out of your window on a road trip, this would be quite difficult to prove. Although the penalties depend on the specifics of the case, such as the amount of damage, the fact that such severe penalties for littering exist does seem scary.
You may have not thought of this either. If someone was throwing trash out of a vehicle, three points
will be added to their driving record at the DMV. Points are penalties that serve as deterrents for future
offenses. Unfortunately, the accumulation of points often results in suspension. If you get 12 points in
12 months, that means a 30 day suspension. If you get 24 points in 36 months, that is a 1 year
suspension. Also, any points you receive stay on your driving record for three years. Besides severe fines
and losing driving privileges, points can also significantly increase your insurance premium.
Littering alone probably won’t make you lose your license, but compounded with other
offenses, points can accumulate. A moving violation from an accident can lead to four points. Speeding
less than 15mph over the speed limit can add four points. Unfortunately, hindsight is always better and
sometimes you end up with a less than ideal situation. One option is to take a defensive driving class
which can reduce your points and potentially get you back on the road.
Although some of the litter penalties may seem excessive, having some form of penalties isn’t entirely
unreasonable . States have spent millions of dollars trying to clean up roadways, parks, and coasts.
Litter also damages property values. It makes places less attractive to people considering moving there. Litter can also damage the environment. Animals, sometimes pets, pick up trash and suffer health
consequences. The next time you are out driving, try to throw your trash in a bag inside the car. It will
save you major hassles later on.
Parallel parking, you either hate it or you love it, there’s really no in-between. Florida is one of the 15 states that do not require its potential drivers to demonstrate how to parallel park during the parking portion of the driving test. While many of you may be secretly rejoicing, I wouldn’t celebrate for too long. Florida’s main reason for not requiring it’s new drivers to learn how to parallel park is due to the few areas around Florida that actually have parallel parking spots. A good portion of parking within Florida is not parallel. While this initially sounds like a sterling reason, it’s ultimately not. At some point, especially if you find yourself down in South Florida or any major city such as Miami, Charlotte, or Chicago you’re going to have to parallel park.
Parallel parking may sound like a scary thing, but I promise you it’s not. So instead of driving around in circles looking for a generic parking spot, set aside the time to learn, and then practice how to parallel park. Not only will it make your life easier in particular situations, it’s a fun skill to impress your fellow peers, colleagues, and family members with.
Even though there are no current laws or requirements for new drivers in Florida to learn how to parallel park, it should be highly encouraged for new drivers to master this skill. If anything parallel parking has been made quite easy for us with all the new technology that comes included in a vehicle. From sensors, to back-up cameras, and even self-parking cars there’s really no excuse to not know how to parallel park in this day and age.
Driving is dangerous, let’s be real. You would think distracted driving would be the most common cause for accidents. Cell phone are a huge problem especially with teens and 20 somethings driving, not to mention even changing the radio or air conditioning settings takes your focus off the road in front if you. However, driving in poor weather conditions causes the most amount of accidents. If you think about it, it makes sense. Poor driving conditions effects every driver on the road. Freezing conditions make roads very slippery, and snow also freezes the roads, but it also creates white out conditions which affect both your visibility and judgement of distance. In the same sense, heavy rain also makes roads slippery. The glare of puddles makes it difficult to judge puddle depth; this is a large problem for smaller cars. Wind is also a factor. Large cars and trucks have more issues with wind than smaller cars, however, tractor trailers have been known to flip over and swerve in their lane due to winds pushing their large sail of a trailer around. How you drive is a huge factor on the road. Not just for your safety but those drivers around you too.
Not so much. There are defensive drivers or extremely cautious drivers. These are drivers who go exactly the speed limit 5 or 10 mph under, slow down to almost a stop when turning, stop at all yield signs and put their blinker on a mile and a half before their actual turn. This can be very dangerous. On the other end of the spectrum, we have aggressive or reckless drivers. This category of drivers are the drivers who split traffic, weave though multiple lanes overtaking other drivers on the road, often times exceeding the speed limit by 15 to 30 mph. Many states consider anything over 15 mph reckless, and you will be penalized if caught. Reckless driving also includes not obeying traffic signs, the rules of the lines on the road, and not abiding by the lights at a traffic light. It’s also considered reckless to not maintain your vehicle. Simple things like making sure all your tires have tread and your headlights, tail lights and especially brake lights work properly, and if you are towing a trailer or car, that extension of your vehicle needs to have working tail lights as well.
Now let’s be sympathetic and rationalize that these fast reckless drivers might be late for an appointment or in an emergency. However, some are out just to be the fastest on the road. It’s important to remember that driving is not a race. Everyone is going somewhere, and you’re not going to get there at all if you’re in an accident because of making poor driving decisions.
So, we’ve identified the top 3 most common causes for car accidents: poor weather conditions, distracted driving and reckless driving. Driving can seem a bit surreal, you’re comfortable in your car with the temperature adjusted just right, the seat positioned just right, and your stereo playing your favorite jams. Even in the best driving conditions be safe, follow all traffic signs, and be aware of those around you, we are all important and going somewhere.
]]>So many of us take driving for granted, and in all honesty it makes sense. Most of us are so content and comfortable driving in our comfortable cars with our favorite music playing, that we lose touch with how quickly one wrong move in a car can change not only our whole world but the world of all those people involved. Yes, it’s true cars have all kinds of sensors, airbags and safety features, but among them is a simple seat belt. Most of us, assume that little strap of nylon isn’t going to do much. Well, you’d be wrong. However a good number of Americans do know the value buckling up.
The national seat belt use rate in the US is about 90 percent, shockingly, that still leaves about 27.5 million who still opt to not buckle up. In 2016 about 15 thousand lives were saved by the use of seat belts, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. The single most important thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of an accident is buckling up your seat belt.
This isn’t just a really good choice to make while you’re driving, it’s the law. Ever heard “click it or ticket”? Yea, they aren’t joking. If you don’t follow the seat belt laws, you are violating the law and could result in a ticket, costing you a fine or 30 dollars and 60 dollars. If a child is not properly restrained, it could mean points on your license, or a judge sentencing you to safe driving classes. But what are the seatbelt laws, specifically, in Florida? As instructed from the Florida DMV Online Guilde states front seat passengers must wear a seat belt. Since 1968, this law has applied to any and all cars. Additionally, passengers under 18 years of age must wear a seat belt or be properly restrained by an appropriate size car seat or assisted by a booster seat. Children under 3 must be restrained in a car seat that has been federally approved. Children 4 through 5 can ether be restrained by a federally approved car seat, or a safety belt. Remember, the driver of the vehicle is responsible for properly securing the children passengers into their seats.
The importance of a seat belt is to prevent you from being thrown from the vehicle in the event of a crash. Being thrown from a vehicle increases your risk of death by 5 times. With seat belts holding you in your seats you are better protected by the cabin of the vehicle and specifically the driver of the vehicle is better able to regain control of the vehicle. Whether you are driving or riding in a neighborhood to your friends house or on a long road trip, the safety belt laws apply at all times. The All Florida Safety Institute encourages you to drive safe and always buckle up. Your life and the lives of everyone else on the roads depends on you to make smart driving choices.
So just a reminder, buckle up and be safe on the road!
]]>Seemingly, driving in a parking lot is not a hard task. After all, all lanes are marked clearly, all vehicles move slowly and the driver has no traffic controls or driving rules to observe. That is not the case. Actually, the number of parking lot vehicle crashes account for around 14% of the annual car insurance claims in the United States. Some studies also suggest that around 20% of the crashes occur within the parking lot.
Put differently, if you are among the drivers who spend 20% of their total driving time in parking lots, you are likely to get into collisions there than in other places. Ironically, the fact that most drivers believe that parking lots are safe places makes them more dangerous. A quick example: drivers are more likely to ignore traffic signs and lane markings in the parking lots because they think that the law applied in highways does not apply there. You have to keep in mind that the primary reason you have to follow road rules is not that you will get a road ticket if you fail to do that but because they are there to help you drive safely. Each time you ignore the road signs or lane markings, you are more likely to cause a crash.
Also, parking lots are among the few places where pedestrians and drivers share one roadway. If a pedestrian emerged suddenly from the gap between two cars, unprepared drivers can act in panic and cause a crash – the outcome can be extremely dangerous for the pedestrian. Actually, statistics show that around 20% of the pedestrian-vehicle collisions in the country happen in parking lots and over 20% of those collisions result in incapacitating injuries. Some pedestrians have also died in such crashes and the working population is at the greatest risk.
Due to low speeds, crashes that happen in parking lots are rarely serious. However, the statistics demonstrate that it is among the problems that you should take seriously. Including when there is no one hurt, the crashes on parking lots can be expensive and inconvenient, particularly if the crash will increase your insurance rates. That is why the drivers in most counties have to complete drivers ed classes that include the parking lot safety.
Even though parking in lots is generally less complicated than parking on the streets, drivers also experience unique risks when driving on them. The spaces are designed to allow easier entering and exit of vehicles but because the driving lanes are very narrow and pedestrians and drivers share the same lanes, you have to move slowly, remain alert and signal your intention each time you want to park in the lot.
In a parking lot, most drivers focus on finding a parking spot instead of driving safely. If you concentrate more on finding open spaces, you might fail to notice pedestrians in front of you or the vehicles approaching from the other side. Even more, people parked in between two vehicles might have a difficult time seeing an approaching vehicle. That can be extremely dangerous if the driver only cares about finding a parking spot. Pay attention, drive defensively and follow the law. That way, you will avoid crashes.
]]>Receiving traffic tickets is not fun regardless of the cause. But when you are stuck with traffic tickets for violations that you didn’t know about their existence, it is an actual slap in the face. In fact, there are many traffic rules and laws that the average persons are not familiar with. By following safe driving best practices and remaining alert, you will be able to avoid most violations naturally. But some states have laws that require the driver to turn headlights on when using the windshield wipers. Even more, the simple action might be the difference between a deadly accident and your safe arrival. Florida Statute 316.2952 mandates that that “Every windshield wiper upon a motor vehicle shall be maintained in good working order.”
Therefore, when driving through Kansas or Delaware, for example, and the weather conditions requires you to start using the windshield wipers, you should never forget to turn on the lights too. Although most states do not use the driving violation to pull drivers over, you might still face traffic fines and tickets around $100.
States laws concerning headlight use are rather confusing and have many requirements. In some states, the lights should have visibility ranging between 500 and 1000 feet for use during adverse weather conditions, when it is dark and when the light is insufficient. Actually, drivers in some areas of Canada require use of headlights throughout the day. That is because drivers interpret the term “insufficient light” differently. Adding clauses about use of windshield wipers provides drivers with clearer directions and enable them to obey the law easily.
Whether your state requires you to use windshield wipers along with headlights or not, you should turn the wipers on to increase your safety during bad weather conditions. When drizzling rain impairs your sight, particularly if your vehicle features low quality windshield wipers, it can be very hard to see the vehicles ahead of you and you should therefore turn the lights on to help others know that you are there.
When driving, visibility is everything and defensive driving is important at all times of the day (especially in bad weather conditions). However, you can not drive defensively if you can not seeing the vehicles in front of you. During periods of misted windshield or some feet that are less visible dangerous or life-threatening accidents are common.
Even though some drivers differ with the headlamp/wiper law, it makes a difference. A research that Transportation Lighting Alliance conducted in the year 2011 shows direct decrease in fatal accidents after a state added headlight/windshield wiper reputation. “Daytime Use of Automotive Headlights During Inclement Weather: Safety and Conspicuity” study showed that the law played an important role in reducing the accidents by around 30% and the daytime accidents by 7%. Even though there are other factors affecting the findings, they are not evident and consistent where drivers are not needed to flip the headlamps on when the wipers are operating.
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Would you drive your car at 55 mph blindfolded? That is what you are fundamentally doing when you text and drive at the same time. On average, your eyes will not be on the road for 4.6 seconds when texting – that is the time you take to go from an end zone to another. That might sound dangerous or deadly. Actually, texting when driving has already substituted intoxicated driving and it is now leading the chart of causes of accidents among teenage vehicle drivers. Texting does not only affect teenagers. A survey that AT&T conducted showed that around 49% of the American adult drivers admit to having texted while driving. The same study also showed that over 90% of the American adult drivers believe that sending messages while driving is extremely dangerous.
With an aim of curbing the number of texting while driving related accidents in Florida, the state’s lawmakers have now introduced the Bill HB 33. If adopted as a law, drivers who text and drive at the same time might face serious penalties. Statistics show that the number of accidents that happened within the state in 2015 due to texting when behind the wheel stood at 45,000. The accidents caused 40,000 injuries and around 200 deaths within the same year.
First offenses would result in $30 fines plus the court costs. Therefore, the total is likely to exceed $100.
Currently, the law of Florida states that if a non-commercial driver texts when driving, that it is a secondary offense. In other words, the officer must see other violations such as speeding for them to cite the driver for texting when on the road. When passed, the Bill HB 33 would make texting when behind the wheels a primary offense. Texting while driving is already a primary offense in 43 states.
Texting has been part of the social life since earlier 2000s due to popularity increase of smartphones. Numerous studies have shown that texting while on road to causes many life-threatening accidents because of the driver’s distractions. International Communication Union states that making calls, texting and interaction with the in-vehicle communication and information systems is a main source of distraction and heightens traffic accidents risks.
In the year 2013 alone, the National Safety Council reported that the number of vehicle crashes associated with cell phones stood at 1.4 million in the United States. The council’s model predicted that texting was part of 6-16% of the accidents. And in the year 2010, texting while driving became a disease burden and ranked as the 8th cause of deaths in YLL (Years of Life Lost).
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Before you proceed through any intersection, you have to ensure that the entire area is secure. In other words, you should approach intersections expecting pedestrians and other traffic. Your driving school instructor may have told you that you should always look on both directions when approaching an intersection. That is exactly what you should do. Most importantly, you should be aware of pedestrians and look for them actively when turning. So, what is an intersection?
An intersection is the point or junction where several roads meet each other. They are the most complicated part mainly because vehicles do not move in the same direction. Studies show that over 50% of all collisions and around 20% of fatal car accidents happen at intersections. Here are few defensive driving tips that can reduce chances of collisions at intersections.
Avoid any form of distractions such as conversation, loud music or using your cell phone when at an intersection. Keep both hands on the steering wheel and be ready to use the brakes when necessary. A small mistake can lead to a collision. Therefore, you have to pay closer attention to the drivers around you.
Look in both directions to see the location of other vehicles and to know what the drivers are intending to do. After that, create a reference point that will help you keep your vehicle in the right position. Keep the reference point in your sight when turning.
Drive safely and slowly when making a turn. That way, you will improve your stopping distance and reaction time. Lower speed helps you increase the safety margin and avoid mishaps.
You should never proceed when the signal light indicates green. And because the road is dangerous, start by looking both ways to identify the other vehicles. Look ahead and wait until you get some space beyond the intersection for your vehicle.
To make a turn at the red light, ensure that there are no restrictions to avoid getting a ticket. After that, check the other vehicles, the pedestrians and cyclists from all directions including the oncoming traffic. If the arrow indicates that you should turn left, proceed. If crossing when there is no arrow at the intersection is allowed, beware of the incoming traffic before turning. Never stop at the centre to take a turn. That increases collision risk ad creates traffic jam. Evaluate your vehicle’s speed at yellow light to know when you should cross.
Never enter an intersection if there is traffic on both sides. Wait for the traffic to clear before you start moving. Again, do not change lanes at the middle of intersections. That is illegal and extremely dangerous. To change a lane, you have to be past the intersection. Lastly, you have to remain cautious for sudden vehicle stoppage. That is true in all situations.
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