Florida Driving Laws: What Do I Need to Know

When you have been involved in a car accident, you may be uncertain about what steps to take afterward. Many accident victims do not know all of the ways that their state’s traffic laws and statutes might affect their ability to recover compensation.
 
Fortunately, if you have sustained an injury in a Florida traffic accident, the team at Morgan & Morgan can help. Our accomplished legal experts have plenty of experience winning financial recovery for Florida accident victims.
 
If another party’s negligence caused you to be injured, they may owe you significant compensation. Securing maximum recovery requires specialized legal skills and knowledge of Florida’s traffic laws.
 
Certain traffic rules may affect the validity of your personal injury or accident case. When you need the Florida driving laws explained, reach out to the legal experts at Morgan & Morgan.
 
Our firm has a roster of skilled personal injury attorneys with a knowledge of Florida’s state laws. We will fight tirelessly to build a powerful legal case for you and recover the money that you deserve.
 
If you or someone you love has been injured, do not wait. When you need the Florida driving laws explained, consult a professional. 

Complete the contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website to schedule a free consultation today.

Who Is Eligible to Drive in Florida?

According to some recent research, Florida drivers are at a higher risk than drivers in other states. As a result, a large number of traffic accidents happen across the state of Florida each day.
 
Not everyone is eligible to drive in the state of Florida. Having a driver’s license in the state is a privilege and not a right.
 
When motorists do not abide by the Florida driving laws, they may become ineligible to drive. In some cases, motorists may have their license revoked, canceled, or suspended. 
 
Many different traffic violations can result in the loss of a driver’s license in Florida. For instance, you may lose your license if you fail to offer assistance after a car crash in which you have caused an injury.
 
Three instances of reckless driving in a twelve-month period can also result in a license suspension. Those who drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs may become ineligible to drive.
 
If you need the specifics of Florida driving laws explained, do not hesitate. The accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan will help you understand how state laws might affect your accident or injury claim.

What Are the Left Lane Laws in Florida?

When Florida motorists are driving on multi-lane roadways, they are required to use the right-most lane. If a motorist is overtaking another vehicle, they may change lanes to pass. 
 
After passing another car or truck, the driver should signal that they intend to move back into the right-hand lane. This law also allows for the use of certain left-hand lanes when a driver is planning to turn at an intersection.
 
To have the left lane Florida driving laws explained in the context of your accident or injury claim, reach out to a legal professional.

Distracted Driving Statutes in Florida

Florida sees an average of 400,000 traffic collisions annually. With this many accidents, it is critical for drivers to remain safe and attentive. 
 
Florida motorists face many potential distractions. When you are driving, staying vigilant is important for the safety of everyone around you.
 
Under Florida state law, anything that distracts you from safely operating your vehicle constitutes “distracted driving.” 

There are three primary categories of driving distractions:

Manual Distractions

This type of distraction results in the driver’s hands leaving the steering wheel. Without your hands on the wheel, you will be unable to respond quickly to objects, obstructions, and events in front of you.
 
Some of the most common examples of manual driving distractions include:

• Eating
• Smoking
• Drinking
• Engaging with the stereo or air conditioning
• Removing a coat or jacket
• Putting on makeup
• Searching through a bag or purse

These are only the most common examples of manual distractions. Failing to keep both hands on the wheel while you drive can result in catastrophic accidents and injuries.

Visual Distractions

When most people think about “distracted driving,” they think of visual distractions. This type of distraction occurs when a driver stops looking at the road ahead of them.
 
Failing to watch the road for even a moment can result in disaster. When you are driving, it is critical to assess the surrounding environment constantly.
 
Some common examples of visual distractions include:

• Looking at a map or GPS device
• Changing the music or volume on your stereo
• Looking at someone else in the car
• Looking at things on the side of the road
• Looking at your phone or another digital device

Visual distractions are particularly dangerous. When you are distracted in this way, your response time is significantly decreased. 
 
Many traffic collisions are the result of visual distractions.

Cognitive Distractions

This type of distracted driving happens when the motorist is not thinking about what they are doing. A driver may appear to be paying attention and still be cognitively distracted.
 
Anything that pulls your attention from the operation of your vehicle is a cognitive distraction. Typical examples of this include:

• Paying too much attention to music
• Listening to an audiobook or podcast
• Talking on the phone
• Daydreaming or ruminating
• Speaking with someone else in the car
• Mental preoccupations

When you are cognitively distracted, you are not as alert as you should be. Cognitive distractions cause many accidents and injuries each year.
 
Texting while behind the wheel is legal in Florida under certain circumstances. If your car is not moving, you are legally permitted to send and receive text messages on your phone.
 
Those who professionally operate emergency vehicles are not allowed to text while they are working. Citizens are also permitted to make phone calls to emergency services while driving, if necessary.
 
Hands-free technologies are permitted for use by Florida drivers. Using other types of digital devices may affect your ability to file a successful accident claim.
 
Distracted driving laws in Florida can heavily influence your ability to recover compensation following an accident. To have the Florida driving laws explained thoroughly, reach out to the firm at Morgan & Morgan.
 
Our compassionate specialists will examine the facts of your case and determine how Florida traffic statutes affect it. We will work hard to recover maximum compensation for you.

Common Violations of Florida Driving Laws Explained

Both residents and visitors need to understand relevant Florida driving laws. This helps to prevent accidents and ensure that justice is done following a collision.
 
After an accident in Florida, make sure to contact an experienced legal expert. The attorneys at Morgan & Morgan will review your case to get compensation from the party who caused your collision.
 
Some of the most commonly violated Florida driving laws include:

Turn Signal Requirements

Motorists in Florida are legally required to signal before engaging in certain vehicular maneuvers. Some mistakenly believe that signaling is only a matter of courtesy. It is not.
 
Failing to signal before changing lanes or turning is a violation of Florida driving laws. In fact, drivers must signal their intention to turn at least 100 feet before doing so.
 
The lack of a turn signal can result in serious collisions and injuries for other drivers. If a driver failed to signal and caused you to crash, they may owe you significant financial compensation.

Rolling Stop Violations

Stop signs and traffic lights require drivers to come to a complete stop. Failing to stop completely makes the likelihood of accidents much higher.
 
When a motorist rolls through a stop sign, they may collide with another vehicle or a pedestrian.

Tailgating Violations

Driving too close to the car in front of you is incredibly dangerous. It is important to leave plenty of room in front of your vehicle in case you need to stop.
 
Following too closely is known as “tailgating.” If the driver in front needs to stop suddenly, tailgating makes a rear-end collision very likely.
 
In some instances, tailgating causes the car in the rear to swerve to avoid hitting the vehicle in front. This can result in a head-on collision with oncoming traffic.
 
If you have been injured because another driver was tailgating, speak with a legal representative.

Speeding Violations

Speeding is one of the most common and dangerous roadway violations. Like all states, the speed limits in Florida vary. 
 
It is vital to pay close attention to speed limit requirements and adhere to them. Impatient driving is not only illegal — it also can result in catastrophic injuries for you and others.

Seat Belt Violations

Under Florida state law, motorists and passengers are required to wear a seatbelt. This is one of the easiest actions to take and will make you much safer in a vehicle.
 
No matter the circumstances surrounding your Florida car accident, contact the firm at Morgan & Morgan. We can help you get the money you need to move forward.