Recent Florida Traffic Laws You Need to Be Aware Of

In order to avoid pesky traffic tickets, it's important that drivers are aware of these recent Florida traffic laws before it's too late.

Did you know that motorists in Florida were issued 2,479,904 tickets in 2021? That translates to more than one ticket for every five licensed drivers in the Sunshine State.

Like any other scenic tourist destination, Florida has certain traffic ticket laws that can make driving exciting or overwhelming. Since you wouldn't want to get a ticket for violating Florida traffic laws, you need to be extra careful on the road.

Most motorists in Florida learned these traffic laws as part of their driving test preparation. But if you are an out-of-state driver or foreigner, you need to learn them from scratch to avoid a run-in with law enforcement. Here are important recent traffic laws you need to be aware of:

1. Driving Under the Influence

You may be found guilty of driving under the influence and subject to punishment for various reasons. First, you may be under the influence of a chemical substance or alcoholic beverage, which may impair your mental faculties.

You may be charged with the offense if your blood alcohol level is 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood. The charges may also apply if your breath alcohol level is 0.08 grams per 210 liters of breath.

Penalties for this offense include a fine in the range of $500 and $1,000 if convicted for the first time or $1,000 and $2,000 for a second conviction. A first conviction may attract a 6-month prison sentence, while a second conviction may attract a 9-month sentence.

2. Mandatory Licensing of Drivers

You need a valid driver's license to drive a motor vehicle on all highways in Florida. But before you are issued the license, the licensing department will check your criminal history. A traffic violation conviction may limit your chances of getting the license.

If you enroll in and complete a substance abuse education course when recently charged with DUI, you may get the license. The Florida DMV will also require you to give proof of financial responsibility during licensing.

3. Proof of Financial Responsibility

Under Florida traffic laws, you need to prove your financial ability to respond to any damages that arise from a motor vehicle crash. You should have liability insurance cover amounting to $10,000 for bodily injury and death brought by a crash.

The liability insurance should also cover the bodily injury or death of two or several people totaling $20,000. It may amount to $10,000 and cover injury or property destruction.

4. Florida Safety Belt Law

While they may seem basic to many drivers, safety belts are an essential aspect of vehicle safety. They can help prevent many bodily injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes.

The Florida Safety Belt Law requires drivers to have automatic crash protection installed in their vehicles. It is quite similar to the federal law that demands the same from drivers.

Like other traffic laws in Florida, you risk facing penalties when found driving without a safety belt on. The charges may be severe if you had passengers on board but failed to install automatic crash protection gear in your vehicle.

5. Move Over Law

The move-over law requires drivers to slow down when driving on a two-lane roadway in the Sunshine State. Your vehicle's speed should be 20 miles per hour less than the speed limit posted on the two-lane roadway. For instance, you should be driving at 5 miles per hour on a roadway with a posted speed limit of 20 miles per hour.

You should also move your vehicle far away from police vehicles when you find them parked along the road. This can be the case when you encounter police vehicles parked on a road with several lanes or on an interstate road.

Florida's move-over law also allows you to slow down to a 20-mph speed below the limit posted on the road if you can't move over parked police vehicles. You risk endangering your safety with the officers' or getting a speeding ticket if you violate this law.

6. Illegal U-Turn Law

An illegal u-turn is usually out of a driver's ignorance or disregard for the traffic laws. Making an illegal u-turn can put you and other motorists at a higher risk of a crash.

The illegal u-turn law prohibits drivers from driving in the opposite direction on any street or road. You are only allowed to make the turn if the posted traffic control signs permit it. It's also important to ensure that you are not interrupting traffic when making a legal u-turn.

A violation of this law attracts less severe penalties since it's considered a noncriminal traffic infraction. And noncriminal traffic infractions in Florida are punishable by small fines.

7. Parking on the Right Side of the Road

If it's your first time driving on Florida's roads, it may be challenging to know where to park. Parking on the wrong side of the road can attract a traffic ticket. You will also be putting your vehicle and other motorists using the road at risk of collisions.

Always park your motor vehicle on the right side of the road unless it's one-way. Also, ensure that your vehicle is parked less than a foot from the curb. You'll be committing a traffic violation if you park your vehicle on a sidewalk, crosswalk, or the roadway side of other parked vehicles.

Other places you should avoid parking your motor vehicle include intersections, places with "No Parking" signs, and curbs painted yellow. You also have to remove your keys from the vehicle as you leave after parking.

Accused of Violating of Florida Traffic Laws? Get in Touch

Florida traffic laws exist to keep motorists using Florida's highly developed roads disciplined. If you follow them to the latter, you have better chances of avoiding traffic tickets and traffic violation charges. This is because traffic violations carry various penalties depending on the surrounding circumstances.

An attorney from Pablo G. Martinez Law Firm can help you protect your rights as a licensed motorist or dispute a traffic ticket after a traffic stop. Our legal services also encompass personal injury law and immigration law. Book a legal consultation with one of our lawyers today.