driving in florida

[nirish_mark20]

guys,

I am due to go on holday to florida next january with my girlfriend and, coming from the UK, I was wondering if there are any rules or tips on driving in Florida?

I know I need to drive on the other side of the road that over here, but I have heard things like it is ok to turn right at a red light as long as it is safe etc??

What things can yoiu advise me on?

thanks

[StoneGRMI]

It's ok to turn right on red if there isn't a sign saying you can't. On a 2 or more lane highway drive in the right lanes, pass on the left and get back over in the right unless you're going to be driving fast.

[SMCengineer]

There's a lot of old people and they don't know how to drive.

[Merc..]

There's a lot of old people and they don't know how to drive.

TRUTH ^^^^^^^^^

[mike954]

I have lived in Florida all my live and i have been all over the world for work and we by far have the worst drivers in the world here i was in Australia for 7 mounths and i got use to driving on the other side of the road its a little messed up for a day or 2 but you get use to it quick have fun man and if you like to fish charter a offshore fishing boat for a half day you'll have a blast !

[nirish_mark20]

mike 954- why r the drivers there so bad? what should I watch out for? im a pretty cautious driver anyway but can i get pulled for going a little bit slower than the limit? also, what is the usual limit?

[borntobeblue]

hey im going to florida next friday, i hired a dodge charger cant fookin wait

[nirish_mark20]

hey im going to florida next friday, i hired a dodge charger cant fookin wait

that to console yet another 5th place finish in the premiership yeah??
(Im a red!)

do u no much about the roads there urself?

[borntobeblue]

hey 5th better than last. no dont know much except they call roundabouts "rotarys" and theres not many of them. have you hired your car yet?

[mike954]

on avarage speed limit is about 45 mph and the reason drivers are so bad is not to be raceist but there are alot of Hations here and Cubans and old people and alot of the people dont have insurance the insurance rates here or more money than any other state in the U.S because of the amout of insurance fraud and uninsurad here on the highway the limit is about 60 - 75 mph and you wont get pulled over for driveing under the limit but you will get alot of middle fingers and beeps lol i hope i did not freak you out you will have no problem dont sweat it have fun!

[StoneGRMI]

Where in Florida are you going?

[borntobeblue]

im staying in kissimee mate, where you stayin in jan?

[feanixco]

If you are going to Miami you will need to lean spanish.

[IronReload04]

I have lived in Florida all my live and i have been all over the world for work and we by far have the worst drivers in the world here i was in Australia for 7 mounths and i got use to driving on the other side of the road its a little messed up for a day or 2 but you get use to it quick have fun man and if you like to fish charter a offshore fishing boat for a half day you'll have a blast !

you or anyone that has gotten used to driving in 2 places of the world



what do you like better, what makes more sense...driving on the left, or on the right?

[nirish_mark20]

im staying in kissimee mate, where you stayin in jan?

im heading to kissimmee as well man, girlfriend wants to do the whole disney thing which I dont mind, love theme parks. only concern is im doing the driving and just want help with it

where abouts u staying blue??

[almostgone]

The last time I went to Florida and got pulled over, I was strongly urged not to get out of the car when you've been pulled over by LE. They prefer you to remain in the vehicle UNTIL they ask you to get out.
Around here where I live (backwoods of S.C.), it's common practice to get out of the car when you've been pulled over, but apparently there it isn't.

AG

[J*U*icEd]

The last time I went to Florida and got pulled over, I was strongly urged not to get out of the car when you've been pulled over by LE. They prefer you to remain in the vehicle UNTIL they ask you to get out.
Around here where I live (backwoods of S.C.), it's common practice to get out of the car when you've been pulled over, but apparently there it isn't.

AG

u get outta the car here in LI or NYC ull get a gun pulled on you... the cops here are insane!

[Misery13]

I took my sons and family to disney world the last 2 new years...people in florida just don't know how to drive...no one is able to give you directions to anywhere so get a road map of the area...make sure your hotel is close to the theme parks or else you'll be stuck in traffic every time you go any where...get the pre paid meal cards for disney world or else you will pay out the butt to eator take your own food...go really early or really late to ensure the lines are short for the rides...thats all that I can think of for now...

[StoneGRMI]

u get outta the car here in LI or NYC ull get a gun pulled on you... the cops here are insane!

That's normal here in Michigan, too. You'll get a gun pulled on you if your hands aren't visible.

[mike954]

well not realy sure what makes more sence to me but i would have to say driveing on the right side is easer for me because its what i grew up doing so im more use to it oh and about getting out of the car if you get pulled over by a cop in florida is like the dumbest thing you could ever do here becasue there are alot of cops getting shot around here lately and there realy on edge so thay expect the worst i keep a gun in my car at alltime so soon as i get pulled i stay in the car show them my wepond permit and tell them there is a loaded firearm in the car and there ok ya dont screw with the cops here my friend got tazerd for refusing to sign a ticket so stupid!

[Pac Man]

Second to all of the above. I've lived in Florida on and off for a few years, I've lived all over the world and in different countrys and FL is by far the shittiest place to drive, on top of that I live in Kissimmee and driving here is sometimes twice as bad as in orlando.
Be careful, people drive like assholes and will cut you off/swerve in front of you, run red lights, etc etc etc.
If you're still in FL and need some pointers hit me up, I'm in the area and self employed.

[KatsMeow]

I live in Florida as well, and if you are going to Kissimmee just be prepared for horrible traffic, and lots of toll roads. People over hear are aggressive drivers and there are tons of fender benders everyday. You just need to pay attention to everything around you and try to figure out where you are going and what roads you need to take before you leave your hotel.
And yes, you can turn right on red. Most of the highways are 60-70mph, all I can say is good luck. I personally HATE the traffic here but it's just something you have to deal with.

[T3/T4 GSR]

Driving there sucks cause you got 15 year olds that drive and 95 year olds that drive. The 95 year olds are worse than the 15 year olds.

[inky-e]

If you are going to Miami you will need to lean spanish.

The street signs are in english, contrary to popular belief. I live here.

[Voice of Reason]

I think they have a saying there. "Come on vacation leave on probation."

[G-1000]

I live in Florida as well, and if you are going to Kissimmee just be prepared for horrible traffic, and lots of toll roads. People over hear are aggressive drivers and there are tons of fender benders everyday. You just need to pay attention to everything around you and try to figure out where you are going and what roads you need to take before you leave your hotel.
And yes, you can turn right on red. Most of the highways are 60-70mph, all I can say is good luck. I personally HATE the traffic here but it's just something you have to deal with.

Try driving by me in north jersey and nyc. Talk about road rage.

[KatsMeow]

LOL....yeah NYC is not for me...I've been in that traffic mess before. It will make you lose your mind. Unfortunately, I happen to live in a city(yes, so big now it has it's own zip code) that is a retirement community full of golf courses, so you can drive your gold carts everywhere you go...talk about frustrating!!! Ahhh

[inky-e]

Try driving by me in north jersey and nyc. Talk about road rage.

I learned to drive and ride in N.Y.C and North Jersey, believe me I'm glad I did, I also drove a tractor trailer up there in chinatown, Little Italy and all the Boroughs, compared to that, Florida and Miami where I live, is a freakn pleasure trip!

[nirish_mark20]

well, my trip is one week away (15th january!) so im getting nervous!

one more question- I own a sat nav here and have bought a card to plug into it that will have the USA maps on it. my question is, will my british car cigarette lighter charger cable work in the american car?

other than that its hope they accept my visa debit card when i go to rent because i dont have a credit card!!

[nirish_mark20]

bump

[T_Own]

visa should work everywhere. the traffic def isn't as bad as jersey/nyc/la

i've been to disney a couple times, if you stay in the park (for your hotel) you really don't drive much at all. otherwise, just be on the look out. when you're at a light, be prepared to go cause people don't like to wait. and on the highway, don't drive slow, drive the same speed as everyone else. even if people are all going 80-90 its safer than trying to go 65 because every car will try to pass you

[*RAGE*]

Driving is going to be like standing in line. you go about 10 to 15 feel and stop wait and then do it again. good luck and watchout for all the old people...

[jimmyinkedup]

well, my trip is one week away (15th january!) so im getting nervous!

one more question- I own a sat nav here and have bought a card to plug into it that will have the USA maps on it. my question is, will my british car cigarette lighter charger cable work in the american car?

other than that its hope they accept my visa debit card when i go to rent because i dont have a credit card!!

your debit card will work but they will freeze the equivalent of $500 us in your account until a couple of days after the return of the vehicle...u should be aware of that.... i forgte the reason but a few years ago it happened to me when i used debit card instead of cc ....fyi

[nirish_mark20]

ok, getting excited about my holiday, cheers for the help. i know now what to expect when i go to rent the car and the driving- i could do with help on where we should go?

we are doing the whole disney/universal/water park things but do have a few days to chill out. what would people recommend for things like eating etc in the orlando/kissimme area? we have a sat nav so if you post here or pm me places that would be great. were looking for restaurants etc aswell (since we dont have a taco bell here and wev never been, wed want to try it, even though i hate eating crap food!)

as much help would be appreciated

cheers

[StoneGRMI]

ok, getting excited about my holiday, cheers for the help. i know now what to expect when i go to rent the car and the driving- i could do with help on where we should go?

we are doing the whole disney/universal/water park things but do have a few days to chill out. what would people recommend for things like eating etc in the orlando/kissimme area? we have a sat nav so if you post here or pm me places that would be great. were looking for restaurants etc aswell (since we dont have a taco bell here and wev never been, wed want to try it, even though i hate eating crap food!)

as much help would be appreciated

cheers

You probably won't need the nav to find a taco bell as there will be one every mile or so but I wouldn't get your hopes up, it's not the best of food and it's bound to make you crap your pants (or come close).

The restaurant advice would depend on how much money you want to spend? What types of food do you enjoy? You'll be able to find anything and everything.

[nirish_mark20]

were staying close to highway 192, if that helps

food wise and budged wise, we are easy. we do plan on going to proper towns as well so what would people recommend?

haha about taco bell- yeah we know its crap food, but thught wed give it a try- any more suggestions?

thanks

[T_Own]

well the last time my fam went to disney, i was like 10-11, so 8 years ago, but rainforest cafe is kinda cool to see, thats in the park (town disney or disney town... w.e its called)

outside the park, its up to you. it depends a lot on what you want to spend, like stone said, and some places you might need a reservation too. i'd think there is some good seafood places down there, and then theres all the chain restaurants that are around the country (like outback steakhouse, olive garden) not really the best places, but a better option that taco bell lol.