Welcome to Florida tourists!
Here you will learn some tips for visiting Florida that may help you save money, enjoy your stay more, and tips that will help the good residents of the Sunshine state enjoy having you here.
Before we begin, let me start by sharing with you some ways we, here in Florida, know you are a tourist….
• Your tag is from out of state.
• You are in a car without tint and a tag with a June sticker – meaning it is a rental car.
• You are driving slowly on the race track, I mean toll roads
• You are disappointed at not seeing alligators everywhere.
• You are taking photos of everything, palm trees, ponds, i4, etc.
• You are sporting a red neck and possibly arms, legs, etc. because you are not used to the Florida sun
• You are wearing mickey mouse ears. EVERYWHERE!
• You have the windows rolled down in your car, and it’s August
• You are talking about all the time you spent at the beach
• You ask if it is always this hot. No, this is probably a cool day!
• You park close to the store entrance rather than in the shade.
Enough of that here in Florida, roughly 20% of our population is 65 and older, and the state attracts more than 100 million visitors every year. So great care and attention needs to be taken on the road. Here are some rules and common courtesies you should follow to help us remember how glad we are that you are here, so we don’t have to pay State income tax. Also, so you avoid getting a ticket.
Road rules
Turn right on red – You may turn right at a red light after coming to a complete stop unless a sign indicating “no right on red” is posted at the intersection.
Stop for pedestrians in the Crosswalk –Also, stop for jaywalkers, please! You do not want a hood ornament. If you are the pedestrian, remember that the time you wait patiently at the crosswalk will be worth it long term! Please be careful, ya’ll!
No earbuds – It is illegal to wear headphones while driving a car in Florida, and can be punished with a fine of over $150.00. Florida Statute § 316.304 states: No person shall operate a vehicle while wearing a headset, headphone, or other listening device, other than a hearing aid or instrument for the improvement of defective human hearing.
Texting and driving – Don’t do it in Florida. Here are the rules. “A person may not operate a motor vehicle while manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other characters into a wireless communications device or while sending or reading data on such a device for the purpose of nonvoice interpersonal communication, including, but not limited to, communication methods known as texting, e-mailing, and instant messaging. As used in this section, the term “wireless communications device” means any handheld device used or capable of being used in a handheld manner, that is designed or intended to receive or transmit text or character-based messages, access or store data, or connect to the Internet or any communications service as defined in s. 812.15 and that allows text communications. For the purposes of this paragraph, a motor vehicle that is stationary is not being operated and is not subject to the prohibition in this paragraph.”
Move over for stopped police and emergency vehicles – When law enforcement vehicles are in one of the “break-down” lanes, either assisting a motorist or pulling over a speeding vehicle, you must move to the far lane, away from the police or slow to 20 miles per hour below the speed limit.
Driving in Florida if you are from visiting from another country. – You only need your documentation of identification, such as your driver’s license from your native country, to drive in Florida. You do not need an international driving permit.
Weather
Heat – Florida is not called the Sunshine State for nothing. You would be wise to bring hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.
Rain – Florida is known for Sunshine as well as unexpected and often severe thunderstorms.
Hurricanes – Between the months of June and November is what we call hurricane season. If you are planning to visit Florida during this time there is always a chance there will be a storm. If you are traveling during this time, it would be wise to have travel insurance in case a storm decides to visit Florida at the same time you do!
Lovebug season – While you may have never heard of love bugs, Floridians deal with them twice a year in May and September. The past few years they have not been too bad, but when there are swarms of the bugs, they like to hover around light colored objects. That could be you in your white shirt or car. Also, they will make a mess on your car when you hit them at 70 mph on the interstate. It is advised to scrub them off as soon as you can because they can eat away at your paint! no joke! They do not bite, but they do hover around and if you are eating outside better look before you bite!
Other various tips/facts
- There are these amazing creatures called alligators and snakes living in Florida.Don’t wade or swim in ponds or lakes. If you really want to jump in, ask a local first if there have been any recent alligator sightings.
- Be prepared to pay for parking – In many of the big cities, parking is at a premium so you may need to pay for parking in downtown areas. Also, at most large attractions like Disney, Univeral, you will pay for parking. Most parking starts @ $20 and goes up from there.
• You won’t need any climbing gear. – The highest point in Florida is merely 345 feet. - I-4 is one of the most widely used interstates in the state of Florida, even though it does not intersect any other states. How did it become an interstate? I have no idea. The internet says that…..”Interstate 4 is one of the US highways designed, financed and constructed as part of the national system of “Interstate System of National and Defense Highways”, under legislation passed by Congress in 1956. ..”
- Toll Roads – To get quickly from one part of the state to the other you will probably traverse a toll road or two. You can purchase a SunPass at the Florida welcome center or at Walgreens, etc. Some places you can stop and pay the toll, but in Miami, you will be sent a bill. A photo will be taken of your tag, and you will get a bill in the mail. How that works with a rental car? I am not sure.
Jokes about Florida
• You won’t find a Jacuzzi in Florida, because if a Floridian wanted to suffocate themselves in hot steam, they would just walk outside.
• How can you tell it is fall in Florida? The colors of license plates begin to change
Remember when you visit Florida, that all of us are not on vacation, so please try to drive the speed limit, use your signals, listen to your GPS, get off the road completely to take a photo, and overall enjoy your stay in the Sunshine State!
If you would like to listen to an audio version of this article, you will find it at Travel Adventures Podcast
Thanks for reading!
Aimée
Ant on the Move 