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According to USA Today, Florida just experienced its best year in attracting tourists and visitors to the state with over 100 million people traveling to the Sunshine State in 2015. Florida has also recently passed the state of New York with a total of almost 20 million people calling Florida home. This does not come without a cost. Florida also ranks third nationwide in fatal truck, car, bicycle and pedestrian accidents. 

Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. recommends that everyone who may be visiting or moving to Florida become familiar with Florida’s highway safety laws before crossing the border. The following are some of the laws with which drivers should become familiar. They are from a group of sources including the Governors’ Highway Safety Administration, Florida Weekly, and the Florida Statutes. 

1. Aggressive Driving: In Florida aggressive driving would include at least doing two of the following: speeding, unsafe or improper lane change, following too closely, failure to yield right of way, improper passing, and/or failure to obey traffic control devices. 
2. Speeding: Florida traffic laws define the maximum speed that is allowed on Florida roadways. Driving over the Florida speed limit can result in a traffic citation, fine, license suspension, or even arrest. The posted speed limits range from 70 mph on interstates, 65 mph on four-lane divided highways outside urban areas (with a population of 5,000 or more) and 60 mph on other state highways. 
3. Texting: Florida bans texting for all drivers. 
4. Seat Belt Laws: All children under 5 must be restrained in crash-tested, federally-approved car seats while riding in a vehicle. All children over 6 must be wearing seat belts when riding in a vehicle. 
5. DUI: Florida has a Zero Tolerance law for drivers under 21. Any driver under 21 who is stopped by law enforcement and has a blood alcohol level of 0.02 or higher will automatically have his/her Florida driver’s license suspended for 6 months. Florida law (section 316.193) requires that interlock devices be installed on vehicles of drivers who are convicted of a DUI. If you drive while over the legal limit of 0.08, and you cause an accident which results in another person’s death or the death of an unborn child, your DUI charge can be elevated to DUI manslaughter, which is a second-degree felony in Florida. Additionally, if you are a repeat DUI offender, your DUI charge can be elevated to a felony. A third-offense DUI within a ten-year period is a third-degree felony under Florida law. A DUI manslaughter felony carries up to fifteen years in prison and permanent revocation of your license. 
6. Drugs & Driving: Florida’s drugged driving law states that a person is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence and is subject to punishment if the person is driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state and the person is under the influence of any chemical substance or any controlled substance, provided that the drug impairs the person’s normal faculties. 
7. Move Over Law: Florida has a Move Over Law to protect law enforcement, emergency, sanitation and utility personnel when parked at the side of two-lane roadways with flashing lights. Motorists are required to move over one lane away from the emergency vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. On a two-lane road, drivers must reduce speed by 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. If a driver cannot move over safely, the driver must reduce their speed by 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. 

If involved in a traffic accident in Florida: 

• You must stop.
• If anyone is hurt, you must get help.
• If your motor vehicle is blocking the flow of traffic, move it out of the way of traffic. If you cannot move your vehicle alone, ask for help or call a tow truck.
• Be prepared to give your name, address, vehicle registration number, proof of insurance and your driver license to others involved in the crash or law enforcement, upon request.
• If the crash caused injury, death or property damage, the incident must be reported to law enforcement.
• Florida’s Financial Responsibility Law requires owners and operators to be financially responsible for damages and/or injuries they may cause to others in a crash. 

“When accidents happen, and you or a loved one is injured, contact our experienced team of attorneys,” said Attorney Randall Spivey. 

Fort Myers Auto Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.