Driving in Florida

[Mouseketeer1974]

After 13 months of planning by me, DH is finally getting on board 6 weeks before we fly...

As he'll be doing the majority of the driving, he's asked me to get some advice on hints and tips for driving in the US. He's a very competent driver here in the UK but has never driven abroad before. We've had automatic cars before so that's not an issue, it's more the rules of the road.

So, on behalf of DH, what should he be aware of ahead of arriving?

Thanks all

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I actually find driving in the States a breeze - I've driven through Manhattan, NY and Philadelphia with no sweat compared to driving in London I found them pretty easy so Florida is pretty relaxing for me. The first time I drove in Orlando I had only passed my test 6 months before (I was a late starter passing my test at age 33).

I would say that we're far better drivers than a lot of the drivers I see on the roads in Florida and my first advice is that even though you're the better driver I am always aware of the other drivers around me. They are certainly not known to be courteous drivers so "Yield" (Give Way) doesn't come naturally to the locals.

Also in the State of Florida I believe they can undertake which annoys me no end!

I love the rule that unless told otherwise by a sign you can turn right on a red.

We always stick to the speed limit, well my DH does I'm a little heavier footed than he is but only by a few mph - but I am always wary of the traffic cop.

If you have a smart phone - you can download a Sat Nav app called Co-pilot - we love it and helps when we're going somewhere new.

I'm sure others have more tips but those are my thoughts right now.

 

[flortlebap]

Yes, they can undertake

A couple of points - don't flash your lights to let people in or thank them. It's considered rude.

Another one is you have to be more aware at night. Indicators on the cars there are red, and they can look like brake lights in heavy evening traffic.

The right turn thing on red is right

Road signs are still mph, not kph. I think the average speed limit is 35, unlike 30 here.

That's all I can think for now

 

[stoneyloon]

I agree with everything that's been said above.
One extra thing that makes Florida easier to drive in than the rest of the US is the amount of "Wrong Way" signs there are at junctions to ensure us daft Brits don't take the wrong carriageway.
I wouldn't do it without a satnav.

 

[flortlebap]

Oh one more point. They are very heavy on traffic laws there and they come down on you like a ton of bricks if youre caught speeding! And we were told not to drink any alcohol before driving. They have a zero tolerance on alcohol policy (we were told if you read over 0.2 at under 21 it's an instant driving ban, but they're also crazy strict on underage drinking too).

 

[dixonsontour]

Parking is usually easy as the car park spaces are big. If you do park on the road eg in Celebration then park the right way and don't block fire hydrants etc - or you may get a ticket.

On toll roads - carry change in the car and as you approach make sure you get in the correct lane - some are no change/sun pass only.

 

[Netty]

I had never driven an automatic or abroad before, so when the time came for me to have a go in florida i found it so so easy!
this website has a fountain of information not only on driving but on everything else you may need to know
http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/

 

[disneyholic family]

when you are pulling out into the road remember to look to the left first -that's where the traffic is coming from first....you should look left, then right, then left, then pull out..

i live around so many brits and it drives me bonkers how they never look left when pulling out into traffic and nearly get into accidents several times a day...

(we drive on the correct side of the road - like in the US )

also, in the US, you will encounter a 4 way stop.
if two cars arrive at the 4 way stop at the same time, the right of way goes to the car on the right.

 

[Julia Ann]

Ok so I might be the only one here, i'm a really confident driver here, but I don't like driving on the wrong side of the road, it makes me feel dizzy however, I am a better navigator than my DH, so we go with me nav and DH do all the driving and that seems to work ok. We once, had me insured also for "just in case" but then didn't bother as I never did any driving at all.

 

[Samaya]

If you've not already tried this, then spend a little time on Google Map and start from Orlando International Airport and pan into the main airport building.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?clien...a=X&ei=7zr1T6-iM4Pb8AOVy-ihBw&ved=0CEkQ_AUoAg

To the North is terminal A's multi-story car park and to the South is terminal B's car park. If you're flying Virgin you will be in terminal A while if your with BA you will arrive in terminal B.

You can then drag the Street View yellow man onto Jeff Fuqua Blvd. which basically runs along side Airport Blvd. and move the Yellow man around the roads to get some ideal of the layout, what to expect and the junction you need to take.

Street view is a great tool to use to check out addresses, signs, road junctions and layouts.

As it's your first time, also be aware that when you arrive at the car rental desk the employee will possibly try and sell you an upgrade, added insurance or extras which will probably work out expensive and possibly unnecessary.

So ensure before you go that you are happy with the size of car you have, as normal its best-cheaper to upgrade over here rather than over there.

As dixonsontour states about toll roads, there are some high-speed toll booth lanes which you can drive straight through so long as you have pre-purchased a pass from the rental company. These lanes all seem to be on the left side so when approaching a Toll Plaza keep to the right hand lane where you will stop and either pay a cashier or drop the exact change into a bin.

Also check out YouTube, there are some uploaded video's of car journeys out of the airport to Disney or International Drive and here's a 1-min link to some tips on leaving the airport but with no car journey video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U1drdsMwhQ

Have a great trip.

 

[disneyholic family]

i think every single time i've come out of orlando airport, i make a wrong turn...

something about the signs just aren't clear to me..

maybe if i were using a GPS device it would help...

but eventually i always get where i'm going!

 

[Elise79]

If its raining you need to make sure your headlights are turned on.

Most junctions are either slip roads, stop signs or traffic lights. You must stop at a stop! It is ok to use a red light as a give way if turning right as long as there is no 'no right turn on red' sign.

You can undertake.

Something I just learnt on multilane highways the road markings in the middle will be white - on a single carriageway they will be yellow.

 

[igk]

also, in the US, you will encounter a 4 way stop.
if two cars arrive at the 4 way stop at the same time, the right of way goes to the car on the right.

I didn't know that - thanks!

My tip is that on freeways the right hand lane (inside lane) often becomes the exit, so you have to merge left to stay on the freeway. If you're going to be passing several junctions without exiting, it's useful not to be in the inside lane, or make sure you pull out in good time.

 

[Samaya]

Yes, they can undertake

A couple of points - don't flash your lights to let people in or thank them. It's considered rude.

Reference the quote above by flortlebap, some of the other differences in signaling other motorist can be found at http://www.motorists.org/other/sensible-signals

 

[OrlandoMagic]

My tip would be to familiarise your self with the car before you drive it out of the car rental car park. Make sure you know how to turn your lights on and how to turn on the windscreen wipers.

 

[disneyholic family]

My tip would be to familiarise your self with the car before you drive it out of the car rental car park. Make sure you know how to turn your lights on and how to turn on the windscreen wipers.

excellent advice!!
those cars are so confusing, it takes me a while to know where everything is and how to turn it all on!!

i had to ask an attendant about something last time, though i don't remember what it was....

 

[chmurf]

There were a few things that really made me feel real bad when I arrived in Orlando in Feb.

We had an impala, and I'm only familiar with my Renault minivan without fancy equipment.

I spent a very long time trying to figure out the controls

first of all : how the hell do you open that trunk ? ... well, there was a key on the remote control with a trunk icon, and there was a button on the dashboard
but I was so tired from the flight that it totally escaped me

I tried to hail an employee but he went like "no habla Ingles" and went away shrugging when I shouted back "ayuda por favor" ...

then next thing was that I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to move that darn seat. It was a 4 way button, I only figured out the up and down part, but not the front and back ... silly tired me

Then at least, we were on the road, but the auto-lights on/off was quite confusing and thanks to the lady at the toll booth I learned that my headlights were turned off

My advice : take your time to carefully look at the car and it's controls.
Breathe in and don't let the fatigue make easy things look hard.

 

[Mouseketeer1974]

thanks for the fab tips - I'll have him read this thread later

 

[DisFanJen]

I love all the posts I'm seeing, there's even one or two that I didn't know.

One thing I was told (though have yet to confirm) is that if you pass a cop at the side of the road, at a traffic accident or stopping a vehicle, etc. you should always move over to give them one lane space if possible. If not you should slow down to 1/2 the official speed limit. Failure to do so is a traffic violation.

And of course a thing you see posted around quite often but it's worth mentioning. Speeding fines in areas where road work is being performed are doubled.

The other thing is to just relax and not worry. Driving in the states is a breeze. I think I read earlier in the thread that someone here drove in the states for the first time after passing their test 6 months earlier. Well I have that one beat! (I know, not a competition, just trying to point out how easy it is out there). I passed my test on Nov 18th and was driving in the States on Dec 4th.

Driving on the right, turning on red, etc. all pretty simple. The only thing that made me nervous was that I learned to drive in a Smart Car and in the states I was driving a Camaro! I mean you can probably fit 3 smart cars parked sideways into the footprint of one of those!

Anyhoo, I'm not the worlds greatest driver or the quickest to pick things up, so simply put, if I can do it, anyone can!

 

[chmurf]

One thing I was told (though have yet to confirm) is that if you pass a cop at the side of the road, at a traffic accident or stopping a vehicle, etc. you should always move over to give them one lane space if possible. If not you should slow down to 1/2 the official speed limit. Failure to do so is a traffic violation.

It's called the "move-over law"

here is what Statute 316.126(1)(b) says :

drivers :

"Shall vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle or wrecker when driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle or wrecker, except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer. If such movement cannot be safely accomplished, the driver shall reduce speed as provided in subparagraph 2."
"Shall slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater; or travel at 5 miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, when driving on a two-lane road, except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer."

more on the subject : http://www.flhsmv.gov/safetytips/MoveOverTips.htm

Also remember that it is unlawful to overtake/pass a stopped school bus when lights are flashing