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Driving
in Florida
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Renting
a Car |
We
have no wish to benefit at your expense.
Making your own arrangements means you are free to benefit from all
the offers and deals that are readily available and it is so easy to
arrange.
All
the major companies have a presence at the international airports:
Tampa:
Hire Car desks are located in both Blue and Red terminals on the ground
level arrivals hall (referred to as the first floor in North America).
The clerk will give you directions to the actual car park where your
car will be waiting.
Orlando:
The Hertz car hire centre is located off-airport, but they provide a
courtesy shuttle bus to the compound. Leave the baggage claim area on
the second level, go down one floor and proceed to the Bus Pickup Area.
Buses go through the airport every few minutes, so if you miss one simply
wait for the next. Dollar Rent-a-Car's desk is located in the terminal,
as is the Avis desk.
Miami:
Hertz and Avis car hire centres are off-airport, but both companies
provide a courtesy shuttle bus to the compound. Flag down the bus of
the company you are hiring from outside the arrivals hall. Buses go
through the airport every few minutes, so if you miss one simply wait
for the next. The journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes depending
on the company. Dollar Rent-a-Car's desk is located in the terminal.
Our
Tip: If you are unfamiliar with Florida's geography, we recommend
that you consider booking with Hertz and specify a Neverlost® satellite
system. It is well worth the extra cost. Town and cities centres can
get very confusing, the Neverlost system will usually get you out of
trouble and it will give you plenty of warning before a turn to allow
you to get into the correct lane.
Check
out these websites of the major car hire companies
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US
Road Signs |
Some
of the most common road signs that you are likely to find in Florida.
| Regulatory
Signs |
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Stop |
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Give Way |
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Speed Limit |
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Minimum Speed
Limit |
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No Left Turn |
|
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No U-Turn |
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Keep Right of
Centre Divide |
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No Entry |
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Tow Away
Zone |
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No Parking |
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No Turn
On Red
See
the advice section for more details |
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| Warning
Signs |
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Left Turn |
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Twisty
Road |
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T Junction |
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Y Junction |
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Traffic
Lights Ahead |
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Give
Way Ahead |
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Divided
Highway Begins |
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Advisory
Speed Limit |
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Dead
End |
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Road
Works |
|
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Bend
to the Right |
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Diversion
to the Left |
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Side
Road on Right Ahead |
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Crossroad
Ahead |
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Stop
Ahead |
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Road
from Right Merges |
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Pedestrian
Crossing
There is also often a "Ped Xing" road marking |
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Slip
Road Advisory Speed Limit |
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| Route
Markers |
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Interstate |
|
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Highway |
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Driving
and Safety Advice |
Drive on
the Right
- Vehicles are
driven on the right side of the road in North America. Be extra vigilant
to ensure that you do not inadvertantly revert to the left side.
Turning
Right on Red
- In the US it
is perfectly legal to turn right at a red traffic light provided there
is no sign telling you otherwise (see road
signs above).
- Treat the junction as
you would a STOP junction, e.g. stop behind the line for a gap in the traffic
and proceed when it is safe.
- Do not use the
right hand lane leading up to an intersection if you do not intend
to turn right, even if permitted to by road markings, unless absolutely
necessary. There may be drivers behind you who wish to make use of
the 'turn right on red' rule but will be unable to do so if you are
blocking their path.
Traffic
Lights
- Traffic light
colours have the same meaning as they do in Britain.
- Flashing Red
means Stop, then proceed with caution when traffic is clear.
- Flashing Amber
means Proceed with caution.
Road Markings
- Lines separating
lanes of traffic moving in the same direction are white.
- Lines separating
lanes of traffic moving in the opposite direction are yellow.
- You may overtake
another vehicle provided that your side of a double line is broken,
or there is only a single broken line.
- U-turns across
double yellow lines are illegal.
Obey the
Speed Limits
- Speeding will
most likely earn you a fine and a probable court appearance.
- If you are pulled
over for any reason, stop at the first safe opportunity, switch your
engine off and place your hands on the wheel where they can be seen.
Under no circumstances reach around in the vehicle for anything, the
officer may mistake this as you looking for a weapon.
- Most interstates
have limits of 65-70MPH. Highways generally have limits of 55MPH,
and in towns the limit is 30MPH. In school zones when the amber lights
are flashing, the limit is 20MPH or less.
Carry Plenty
of Quarters (25¢ coins)
- US interstates
are littered with toll booths, with prices ranging from 25 to 75¢
(rarely more than $1). You will need to carry several dollars worth
of change with you on most long journeys.
- Do not rely on
a clerk to provide you with change from a note (or bill). Some booths
are un-manned and require exact change.
- Always pay the
toll. Fines for non-payment are hefty, may result in a court appearance
and make future entry into the US difficult.
- Do not leave
a major road to avoid paying a toll. This is especially true if you
do not know the area.
- Keep the change
concealed. Any amount of money may tempt an opportunist thief.
School Buses
- You won't have
to travel far before seeing a yellow and black school bus.
- Traffic flowing
in both directions must usually stop when a bus has it's red lights
flashing, as it will be picking up or setting down children.
Seatbelts
- It is an offence
not to wear a seatbelt.
- Small children
(generally those under the age of 5) must sit in a child seat placed
on the rear seats only
Don't Drink
and Drive
- Driving under the influence
is strictly prohibited; don't risk it!
- Put alcohol in the boot
(trunk) and leave it unopened
Don't leave
valuables in your vehicle
- Money or electronic
equipment (such as cameras or personal steroes) are very appealing
to an opportunist thief. Don't tempt them!
Lock your
vehicle when unattended and when driving
- Even if leaving
your vehicle unattended for a short time, lock it and ensure all the
windows are closed.
- Do not forget
to check any sliding doors or the tailgate.
If you are
bumped from behind in a secluded or dark area, do not stop and get out
- Proceed to the
nearest well lit area and call the police
Breakdowns
- Stop in a safe
place and turn on your hazard flashers
- Stay in your
vehicle, ensure the doors and windows are up.
- Call the hire
car company's breakdown line if you have a mobile phone.
- Await the arrival
of a law enforcement officer. They regularly patrol busy throughfares.
Avoiding
looking like a tourist
- Tourists are
easy pray in any part of the world, so try to avoid looking like one.
- Keep cameras
in a suitable bag.
- Do not stop to
look at road maps. Know where you are going and how to get there before
you leave.
- If you have to
stop to ask for directions, stop in a busy well lit area.
- Avoid reading
from guide books in public.
- Do not flash
money around and only take what you are going to need.
- Remove any rental
car stickers from your hire vehicle.
When stopped
in traffic
- Leave enough
room between you and the vehicle in front to pull around them if necessary.
- Do not idle your
vehicle in neutral in case you need to accelerate quickly.
If signalled
to stop by anybody other than the police
- Do not stop.
Proceed to the nearest safe area and call the police.
- Never pick up
hitch-hickers. In some areas it is also illegal.
- If you are flashed
from behind, drive to the nearest well lit area and check your vehicle.
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