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Many motoring trips involve crossing state lines. Preparation for trips often happens long before the actual departure.  The preparations involve selection of location(s), activities and preparing the motor vehicle to make the journey safely. 

But, if the trip involves crossing state lines, do you know that states have different laws? Florida, Georgia and Alabama, all contiguous states, have different laws. Here are a just a couple of examples:

When to report an accident:  

Florida: Crashes are required to be reported when property damages exceed $500. The deadline for filing a report is 10 days.

Georgia: Crashes are required to be immediately reported when property damage exceeds $500.

Alabama: Crashes are required to be reported when property damages exceed 250.The deadline to file a (safety responsibility) is 30 days.

When to use headlights: 

Florida: Headlights are required to be on when visibility is less than 1000 feet or in conditions of insufficient light/adverse weather.

Georgia: Headlights are required to be on when visibility is less than 500 feet and in conditions of insufficient light/adverse weather.

Alabama: Headlights are required to be on when wipers are in use or visibility is less than 500 feet, as well as 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.

Move over laws:

Florida: State law requires drivers to reduce speed to 20mph less than the posted speed limit and, if safe to do so, vacate the lane closest to stationary emergency vehicles, including towing and recovery vehicles, when traveling in the same direction. If such movement cannot be safely accomplished, the driver shall reduce speed.

Georgia: State law requires drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights, including towing and recovery vehicles, traveling in the same direction, to vacate the lane closest, if safe and possible to do so, or slow below the posted speed limit to a speed reasonable for road and traffic conditions.

Alabama: State law requires drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles that are displaying flashing lights, including wreckers, traveling in the same direction, to vacate the lane closest, if safe and possible to do so, or to slow to at least 15 mph less than the posted speed limit.

Fort Myers Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. recommends: "Before departing, motorists should be equipped with information on the state laws through which they will be travelling. The AAA (American Automobile Association) provides information on-line  at AAA Digest of Motor Laws."

Personal Injury Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,600 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.