Driving In Miami
Driving in Miami can be difficult if you're not familiar with the city! If you're concentrating on finding your way around Miami it can be easy to forget about the local
driving laws and
speed limits. This can be even more difficult if you're visiting from outside the USA.
At
MiamiRentalCar.net we want to make sure you don't leave Miami with a bunch of speeding tickets and traffic violations. So, for the benefit of customers who are visitors to our city, we've put together a list of top tips for driving in Miami and throughout Florida.
Things To Remember When You Drive In Miami
Here are a few tips for safe driving in Miami:
Speed limits
On the streets of Miami the speed limit is generally set at 30mph (48km/h). However, in some residential areas or in areas where a school is present the limit might be set lower at 20mph (32km/h). Pay attention to road signs which will indicate the speed limit, these have a white background with black lettering. On interstate roads, expressways and some highways you will be allowed to raise your speed up to 70 mph (112 km/h) but always pay attention to road signs as the limit does vary. Please be aware that excess speed can cause accidents, especially on unfamiliar roads, that's why it is recommended not to drive faster than the limit.
Alcohol and driving
Not just in Miami but in the entire state of Florida the blood alcohol limit for any driver over the age of 21 is set at 0.08%. Anyone who exceeds the limit and is caught by the police can risk losing their driving license and heavy fines. For drivers who are under the age of 21, the State of Florida applies a 'zero tolerance' policy. This means that any young driver can run the risk of the same punishment as those over 21 years of age but there is a much lower blood alcohol limit of 0.02% in place. 0.02% is the equivalent of drinking about 100ml of beer. The best idea? If you're planning to drink, leave the car at your home or hotel.
Right of way
Right of way in Miami isn't quite as simple as in other parts of the world, in fact if you're not used to it things can get pretty confusing. There isn't actually a law which states that you must give the right of way to vehicles coming from your right as in many other countries. In Miami if you're approaching an unmarked intersection here are a few things you should know: you must give right of way to any vehicle that is already in the intersection; you have the right of way if you're driving on a paved road and the road intersects with an unpaved road; you have to give the right of way if you're planning to turn left and if there's a driver approaching from the opposite direction.
Safety belts
Safety belts are lifesavers and that's why Florida law states that every driver should wear their safety belt. It is mandatory for all drivers and front seat passengers to fasten their safety belts as soon as they get in the car. Every driver should make sure that the front passenger has buckled up; if the passenger is not buckled up, both driver and passenger risk a fine. Every child under the age of 5 needs to be transported in a suitable child seat. It is also illegal to leave your child unsupervised in a running motor vehicle, again this applies for children who are under the age of 5.
Bad weather tips
In Miami it is extremely unlikely that you'll have to deal with heavy snowfalls or freezing temperatures, even during the winter. However, storms and heavy rainfall are very common in Miami, so if it does start to rain heavily be sure to slow down and take extra care. Be aware that driving too fast can cause hydroplaning; this means that the tires are essentially floating on the water and losing their grip. In the worst cases this can cause serious accidents. Always turn on your headlamps if it is raining or stormy.
