Driver's Licenses: Progressive severity of legal actions including the point system and licensing actions (cancellation, suspension and revocation)

DRIVER'S LICENSES
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle is charged with the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
The Division shall make and adopt rules and regulations for orderly administration of this chapter. The Division of Driver License determines who and how an individual gets a driver license, and who will not get a license and why.
Driving a motor vehicle in Florida is a privilege you earn. Every driver who gets a license must drive safely to keep it. If you break the traffic laws or become an unsafe driver, your license can be taken away. It can be suspended, revoked or canceled.
Suspension
You can get your driver license suspended for a variety or reasons. The suspensions vary in length. They are as follows:
Violation of the point system - The point system is the method of assigning points for certain traffic infractions. The points vary depending on the severity of the traffic offense. In computing points and suspensions, the offense dates of all convictions are used.
They are as follows:
Traffic infraction Violation points
Leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property damage of more than $50. 6
Unlawful speed resulting in a crash 6
Reckless driving 4
Any moving violation resulting in a crash 4
Passing a stopped school bus 4
Driving during restricted hours 4
Unlawful speed 16 MPH or more over the speed limit 4
Running a red light 4
Unlawful speed 15 MPH or less over the speed limit 3
(Fines are doubled when infractions occur within a school zone or construction zone, with possible civil penalties up to $1,000 and can be required to complete driving school course.)
All other moving violations 3
Parking on a highway outside the city limits 3
Open container as an operator 3
Child restraint violation 3

Length of Suspension
12 points within a 12-month period 30 Days
18 points within an 18-month period 3 months
24 points within a 36-month period 1 Year
You may apply for a hardship license if you take an exam, participate in the ADI (Advanced Driving Improvement) classes of 12 hours, pay a $25 reinstatement fee and pay all applicable licensing fees.
Dead beat dad - That's right, if you don't pay you don't play. Your license can be suspended indefinitely until you present an affidavit from the child support agency, depository or clerk of the court proving that you are caught up. There is no class (that is classroom, not human) required however a $25 reinstatement fee will be required.
Did not attend court ordered traffic school - If you do not attend a court ordered school you must contact the court where it was issued, satisfy the traffic summons, show proof of satisfaction and pay a $25 reinstatement fee. You may attend traffic school once a year with a maximum of five visits in a lifetime.
Incapable of operating a motor vehicle - This comes with a one year suspension and you are not eligible for a hardship license. In order to get it back at the end of one year, you must request a hearing for the purpose of reinstatement.
Refusals to take a field sobriety test- You have the right to refuse a field sobriety test, however you will automatically incur a one year suspension.
Truancy
Financial Responsibility Law
When your license is revoked, it is taken away for a period of 6 months to life. Revocation can be caused by a variety of reasons as well and they are as follows:
Your license can be revoked if you fail to meet the minimum vision requirements.
Commit murder from a moving vehicle.
Commit vehicular manslaughter.
You are in possession of a controlled substance.
You are convicted for any felony in which a motor vehicle was used.
You leave the scene of a crash that you are involved in which somebody was injured or died.
Commit a lewd act or involved on an act of prostitution in a motor vehicle.
Commit an act of perjury in a court of law.
You are convicted of a crime in another state.
A court may also order that your license be revoked for certain traffic offenses.
Your license can be revoked for certain medical conditions. The revocation lasts as long as the medical condition exists and can be removed when the medical condition clears.
When your license is canceled, it means the act of declaring a driver's license is void and terminated. This happens when you fail to meet requirements established by Florida state statute.
Some of the reasons for cancellation are as follows:
Fraudulently misrepresent information on a Driver license application. (The driving privilege will also be suspended for one year.)
Failure to maintain a court ordered requirement.
Failed to maintain a DUI issue.
You are responsible for a crash where somebody goes to the hospital and you fail to go to the required 4 hour traffic school course.
If you are caught driving while your license is suspended, revoked or cancelled, the degree of the crime is as follows:
First offense - Misdemeanor of the second degree.
Second offense - Misdemeanor of the first degree.
Third offense - Felony of the third degree.
Habitual Traffic Offender
A habitual traffic offender is an individual whose record shows that they are a danger to the motor vehicle community by continually displaying a complete disregard for their safety or the safety of fellow motorists that are sharing the road.
These individuals achieve this dubious distinction by accumulating 3 of the following convictions within a five year period.
Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;
Any felony in which a motor vehicle is used;
Driving a motor vehicle while his or her license is suspended or revoked;
Failing to stop and as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle crash resulting in the death or personal injury or another; or
Driving a commercial vehicle while his or her privilege is disqualified.
If an individual accumulates 15 convictions for moving traffic offenses in which points may be assessed they may also qualify for the habitual traffic offender status within a five year period.
The penalty for a person who has earned this title is a five year revocation. The legal ramifications pale in comparison to the life altering anguish that you will go through to get to this point in your life. Your car insurance will be so high that it will be unrealistic for a person with average means to maintain a driver's license. This will affect your employment and personal life as well. Picking up a date on your bicycle or taking the bus is not exactly the most impressive way to kick off a date. In short, being a habitual traffic offender will make your life miserable.


Section 8.2. Speed limits including default limits where not posted
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, then it must be a duck. Call it what you want to, "unlawful speed", "too fast for conditions", "failed to use due care", "failed to have your vehicle under control", or "speed greater than is reasonable and prudent", but too fast is too fast. You may blame whomever you choose, police officer, judge, weather, your boss, or even your mate for your citation, but it doesn't change the fact that you were speeding.
Let me give you something to think about. Speeding reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around curves on the highway or avoid objects in the roadway. It extends the distance necessary to stop a car, increases the distance a vehicle travels while a driver reacts and reduces the effectiveness of the vehicle's safety features. The faster you go the harder you hit.
There is a big difference between unlawful speed and speed too fast for conditions or failing to have your vehicle under control. Speeding - exceeding the posted speed limit is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. The economic cost to society by speeding and related crashes is estimated by the NHTSA to be $40.4 billion per year. In 2004, speeding was a contributing factor in 30% of all fatal crashes and 13,192 lives were lost in speeding related crashes. The 2000 costs of speeding-related crashes were estimated to be $40.4 billion a year or $76,865 per minute or $1,281 per second.1
Too few drivers view speeding as an immediate risk to their personal safety or the safety of others.
Crash severity increases with the speed of the vehicle at impact. Inversely, the effectiveness of restraint devices like air bags and safety belts, and vehicular construction features such as crumple zones and side member beams decline as impact speed increases.
The probability of death, disfigurement, or debilitating injury increases with higher speed at impact. Such consequences double for every 10 mph over 50 mph that a vehicle travels.
Many drivers don't consider this. They slow their speed in residential areas, or when the weather turns bad. To them, a few miles an hour over the posted speed limit is an acceptable risk. Their excuse - other drivers do it. They believe the worst that can happen to them is to receive a speeding ticket. Drivers like this are wrong. Maybe even dead wrong, because driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit can kill YOU.
In 2000, 593,000 people in the US received minor injuries in speeding-related crashes. An additional 71,000 people received moderate injuries and 39,000 received serious to critical injuries in speeding-related crashes.2
For drivers involved in fatal crashes, young males are the most likely to be speeding. The relative proportion of speeding-related crashes to all crashes decreases with increasing driver age. In 2004, 38% of the male drivers 15 to 20 years old who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash.3
Alcohol and speeding seem to go hand in hand. In 2004, 26% of the speeding drivers in the US under 21 years old who were involved in fatal crashes were also impaired, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 (grams per deciliter [g/d1]) or greater. In contrast, only 12% of the non-speeding drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes in 2004 were impaired.
For drivers between 21 and 24 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in the US in 2004, 49% of the speeding drivers were impaired, compared with only 25% of non-speeding drivers.
Speeding was a factor in 29% of the fatal crashes that occurred on dry roads in 2004 and 34% of those that occurred on wet roads.
Speeding was involved in 31 percent of the fatal crashes that occurred in construction/maintenance zones in 2004.
In 2004, 86% of speeding related fatalities in the US occurred on roads that were not Interstate Highways.
For both speeding and non-speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes, the percentage of those who had been drinking, with BAC 0.01 or greater, at the time the crash occurred was higher at night than during the day. Between midnight and 3 am, 77 percent of speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking.4
Speed limit- Default speed limit
The speed limit as a rule is posted in all areas and changes with the situation. If for some reason that the speed is not posted, then the default speed limit will be in effect. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended that the driver maintain a speed of 55mph on the highway and 30 in the city.
Section 8.3. Signs, signals, road markings, interpretation of centerlines, crosswalks, bike lines, turn lanes, flashing lights and proper responses to phases of traffic signals, stop signs and yield signs
Traffic signals control traffic and indicate which driver may go and which ones are required to stop. It is important to understand the meaning of each color and symbol. On vertical signals, the red light is on the top, the yellow is in the middle and the green is on the bottom. When signals are mounted horizontally, the red light is at the left, the yellow is in the middle and the green is to the right. The colors are always in the same position on the signals throughout the United States. This national uniformity allows even color blind people to drive safely.
GREEN INDICATION - Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through cautiously or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. F.S. 316.075 (l)(a)l
GREEN ARROW -- Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, enter as directed by the manual may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movements as is permitted or other indications shown at the same time. F.S.316.075 (1)(a)2
STEADY YELLOW INDICATION. - Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection. F.S. 316.075 (1)(b)1
STEADY RED INDICATION - Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown. F.S. 316.075 (1)(c)1
The driver of a vehicle which is stopped at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection in obedience to steady red signal may make a right turn, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal. F.S. 316.075 (1c1a)
TRAFFIC SIGN COLORS
Traffic signs are designed for easy understanding. They have uniform shapes and colors. Once you know the colors and understand the meaning of the signs, you can quickly recognize the intended message.
SIGN COLOR
Blue -------Services, Guidance. (Hospital)
Brown------Public Recreation, Scenic Places. (State Park)
Green------- Guide signs for direction.
Orange------Construction and maintenance warning.
Red ---------Regulatory signs. Indicate stop or forbidden actions.
White--------General regulatory and speed control.
Yellow ----- General warning signs that caution drivers.
SIGNALS, SIGNS and PAVEMENT MARKINGS
Along with their colors and shapes, signs also display symbols. Signs contain word messages or a combination of words and symbols. Usually you read a word message from left to right or in a few exceptions from top to bottom. You read symbols from the bottom up.
Traffic Control Signals
Traffic signals are placed at intersections to keep traffic moving and avoid crashes. Drivers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders must obey these signals except when an officer is directing traffic. Stop on the stop line if your car is nearest the signal. Some signals change only when a car is at the stop line. If traffic signals are out of order, stop as you would for a four-way stop sign.
No Parking
Parking is not allowed:
On any bridge or overpass or in a tunnel
Within 30 feet of a rural mail box on a state highway between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Within 30 feet of any flashing signal, stop sign or traffic signal.
In such a way that you block or create a hazard for other Vehicles
Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
On the roadway side of another parked vehicle (double parking)
On Crosswalks.
On Sidewalks.
In front of driveways.
By curbs painted yellow or where "No Parking" signs are posted.
Within intersections
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Within 20 feet of an intersection.
Within 20 feet of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or rescue squad station.
On the hard surface of a highway where parking spaces are not marked.
Parking Lights
Parking lights must be used on any vehicle parked on a roadway or shoulder outside of cities and towns. Directional signals must not be flashed on one side only on a parked or disabled vehicle. Use your emergency flashers. Driving with parking lights only (in place of headlights) is against the law.
Special Signs
Green Guide Signs
Green and white signs give information about directions and distances. Guide signs on expressways show you which lanes to use to get where you want to be. Routes that run generally East-West have even numbers and those running North-South have odd numbers.


Blue Service Signs
Blue and white signs direct you to services, such as gas, food, motels and hospitals. Brown and white signs point out scenic areas and parks.


Rectangle: regulatory or information
These signs tell you the law, so you must follow their instructions. Remember that a red circle with a slash means NO. The sign shows what is not allowed. You must not make a right turn at this intersection.
You cannot make a complete turn to go in the opposite direction where this sign is displayed. No U-turn. 50 miles per hour is the top speed you can travel in this area.
You must not make a left turn at this intersection. You are going the wrong way on an expressway exit ramp. Do not drive past this sign. Turn around immediately.
A divided highway is ahead. Stay on the right side of the divider. You may travel only in the direction of the arrow.
Parking only for vehicles displaying an official permit and transporting a handicapped person. You cannot go straight ahead. You must turn either to the right or left.
This sign lists the maximum recommended safe speed for an entrance or exit on an expressway. Slow down to whatever speed is shown. The center lane is shared for left turns in both directions of travel.
You may not turn right or left during the red light. You must wait for the signal to turn green. You must not pass any other vehicles going in the same direction as you are while you are in the area.
A diamond-shaped marking in a traffic lane or a diamond symbol on a traffic sign shows that a lane is reserved for certain purposes or certain vehicles. The lanes are usually reserved for buses or carpool vehicles during rush hour traffic. The type of restriction and hours will be shown on the sign. When you have passed this sign, you are permitted to pass other vehicles with care.
Traffic in the left lane must turn left at the intersection ahead. Stopping permitted only in emergencies.
You are approaching an area where a speed zone has been established.

diamond: warning
Narrow Bridge. These signs warn you of the special conditions or dangers ahead. Words or symbols will show why you need to use caution.
crossbuck: railroad crossing

pentagon: school sign
This five sided sign means you are near a school. Watch for children.
As you approach this sign, slow down, watch for children crossing the road. Stop if necessary. Obey signals from any crossing guards.
circle: railroad warning
Slow down and be ready to stop. You are nearing a railroad crossing.
rectangle: regulatory or informational

Vertical signs give instructions or tell you the law. Horizontal signs may give direction or information.

warning signs
Here are some common warning signs. These signs give you advance notice of possible hazards ahead. Drive with caution.

1. SLIPPERY WHEN WET.
In wet weather, drive slowly. Do not speed up or brake quickly. Make sharp turns at a very slow speed. 14. DOUBLE CURVE.
The road will curve to the right, then to the left. Reduce your speed, keep to the right, and do not pass.
2. DIVIDED HIGHWAY AHEAD.
The highway ahead is divided into two one-way roadways. Keep to the right. 15. WINDING ROAD.
There are several curves ahead. Drive slowly and carefully.
3. DIVIDED HIGHWAY ENDS.
The divided highway on which you are traveling ends 350 to 500 feet ahead. You will then be on a roadway with two-way traffic. Keep to the right. 16. CROSS ROAD.
A road crosses the main highway ahead. Look to the left and right for other traffic.
4. SOFT SHOULDER.
The dirt on the side of the road is soft. Don't leave the pavement except in an emergency. 17. DIP.
There is a low place in the road. Go slowly and be ready to stop if the dip is filled with water.
5. ONE LANE BRIDGE.
The bridge is wide enough for only one vehicle at a time. Make sure the bridge is clear of oncoming traffic before you cross. 18. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.
Watch for people crossing the street. Slow down or stop if necessary.
6. PAVEMENT ENDS.
Road surface ahead changes from a hard-surfaced pavement to a low-type surface or earth road. 19. RIGHT TURN.
The road will make a sharp turn to the right. Reduce your speed, keep to the right, and do not pass other vehicles.
7. TRUCK CROSSING.
Watch for trucks entering or crossing the highway. 20. REDUCTION OF LANES.
There will be fewer lanes ahead. Traffic must merge left. Drivers in the left lane should allow others to merge smoothly. Right lane ends.
8. SIDE ROAD.
Another road enters the highway from the direction shown. Watch for traffic from that direction. 21. ADVISORY SPEED.
The highest safe speed you should travel around the curve is the speed listed on the sign. Advisory speed signs may be used with any diamond-shaped warning sign.
9. NARROW BRIDGE.
The bridge is wide enough to accommodate two lanes or traffic, but with very little clearance. 22. TWO-WAY TRAFFIC AHEAD.
The one-way street or roadway ahead ends. You will then be facing oncoming traffic.
10. LOW CLEARANCE.
Do not enter if your vehicle is taller than the height listed on the sign. 23. HILL/DOWNGRADE.
Slow down and be ready to shift to a lower gear to control speed and save brakes.
11. BICYCLE CROSSING
Warns you in advance that a bikeway crosses the road ahead. 24. YIELD AHEAD.
Warning of yield sign ahead. Slow down and be prepared to stop at the yield sign or adjust your speed to traffic.
12. MERGING TRAFFIC.
You are coming to a point where another traffic lane joins the one you are on. Watch for other traffic and be ready to yield the right-of-way when necessary. 25. TRAFFIC SIGNAL AHEAD.
This sign warns of traffic signals at the intersection ahead. Slow down; poor visibility is likely.
13. LEFT CURVE.
Slow your speed and keep well to the right. The road will curve to the left. 26. STOP SIGN AHEAD
When you come to this sign, slow down and be ready to stop at the stop sign ahead.


Construction and maintenance traffic control signs.
Various traffic control devices are used in road construction and maintenance work areas to direct drivers and pedestrians safely through the work site and to provide for the safety of highway workers.
The most commonly used devices are signs, cones, drums, barricades, flashing arrow panels, and flag person. Orange is the basic color for these devices.

Flag person Ahead
Workers Ahead

Channeling Devices
Barricades, vertical panels, drums, and cones are the most commonly used devices to alert drivers of unusual or potentially dangerous conditions in highway and street work zones. These devices are used to guide the drivers safely through the work area and at night they may be equipped with warning lights. When a Road Closed sign is displayed, do not drive on this road. Look for a detour or another route.
Flashing arrow panels are used both during the day and at night to give advance warning and directional information to drivers where it is necessary to move to the right or to the left into another lane.

Stripes on barricades and panel devices slope downward in the direction traffic must turn when directed to detour or move from one lane to another.
Yellow Center Line Markers
Broken
A broken yellow line shows that you may pass on the left when the way ahead is clear. Remember that you are facing oncoming traffic, so overtaking and passing should be done with care.

Solid & Broken
A solid yellow line to the right of a broken yellow line means passing or crossing is prohibited in that lane, except when turning left.

Double Yellow
Double solid yellow lines show that passing is not allowed in either direction. You may not cross the lines unless you are making a left turn.

Section 8.4. School buses including laws on passing while stopped
On average, 11 school-age pedestrians are killed by school buses (or vehicles used as school buses) each year, and 5 are killed by other vehicles involved in school bus related-crashes.
More school-age pedestrians are killed in the afternoon than in the morning, with 36 percent of the fatalities occurring in crashes between 3:00 and 4:00pm.
Since 1994, 1,479 people have died in school bus-related crashes - an average of 134 fatalities per year. Most of the people who lost their lives in those crashes (70 percent) were occupants of other vehicles involved. Non-occupants (pedestrians, bicyclist, etc.) accounted for 22 percent of the deaths, and school bus occupants accounted for 8 percent.
Since 1994, 182 school-age pedestrians (less than 19 years old) have died on school bus-related crashes. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) were killed by school busses, 5 percent by vehicles functioning as school buses, and 31 percent by other vehicles involved in the crashes. Nearly one-half (49 percent) of all school-age pedestrians killed in school bus-related crashes were between the ages of 5 and 7.4
Who must stop for a school bus which has stopped on the roadway to pick-up or discharge passengers? The next 3 diagrams will give an explanation of an event. You must answer who can go and who must stop. The answer is given at the end of the questions. The law will follow for an explanation.5
School Bus
Diagram 1
We have a 5-lane highway. Two lanes are moving in one direction and two lanes are moving in the other direction. There is a center lane, which is a left turn lane.
Looking at the above diagram, the school bus is stopped with the red lights flashing and the stop arm extended.
Question Stop Go
Must the red car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the brown car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the orange car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the green car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the blue car stop or go? Stop Go
Answer: Answer the questions above to see the correct answer.Correct! By law all vehicles must stop. The highway is not divided.Incorrect! By law all vehicles must stop. The highway is not divided.
School Bus
Diagram 2
We have a 4-lane divided highway. Two lanes are moving in one direction and two lanes are moving in the other direction. There is a median that spans 10 feet.
Looking at the above diagram, the school bus is stopped with the red lights flashing and the stop arm extended:
Question Stop Go
Must the red car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the brown car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the green car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the blue car stop or go? Stop Go
Answer: Answer the questions above to see the correct answer.Correct! By law the brown and red car must stop. The green car and the blue car are not required to stop due to the highway being divided by an unpaved median of more than five feet.Incorrect! By law the brown and red car must stop. The green car and the blue car are not required to stop due to the highway being divided by an unpaved median of more than five feet.
School Bus Diagram 3
We have a 4-lane divided highway. Two lanes are moving in one direction and two lanes are moving in the other direction. There is a median that spans 4 feet.
Looking at the above diagram, the school bus is stopped with the red lights flashing and the stop arm extended:
Question Stop Go
Must the red car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the brown car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the green car stop or go? Stop Go
Must the blue car stop or go? Stop Go
Answer: Answer the questions above to see the correct answer.Correct! By law all vehicles must stop. The unpaved median is less than 5 feet.Incorrect! By law all vehicles must stop. The unpaved median is less than 5 feet.
Right on Red
A simple maneuver, right on red, if not executed properly, can be expensive in fines paid. F. S. S. 322.27(3)(b)).
Proper (Right-hand) lane: F.S.316.151(1)(a) "...the approach for a right turn... shall be made as close as practicable to right-hand curb or edge of the roadway."
Proper signal when required: F.S.316.155(2) "A signal of intention to turn right...must be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet by the vehicle approaching."
Come to complete stop: F.S.316.075(3)(a) "Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk...or intersection."
No sign forbidding turn: F.S.316.075(3)(a)(1) "...except that municipal and county authorities may prohibit as such against a steady red signal."
Yield right of way: F.S.316.075(3)(a)(1) "...shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal."
To proper lane: 316.151(1)(a) "...a right turn shall be made as close as is practicable to right hand curb or edge of roadway."
Section 8.5. Proper response to emergency vehicles
LET THEM THROUGH
Not every emergency medical response requires lights and sirens, but the next time you encounter such a situation, yield immediately so that the emergency personnel can reach the person who is waiting for help to arrive. Remember that it's important to let them through. The next time it could be you.
In an emergency, minutes can mean the difference between life and death, and critical seconds can be lost if drivers don't make way for emergency vehicles. Take sirens seriously-make way for an ambulance, fire truck or police vehicle. Someday you may be the one calling for help, or the life on the line might be a friend.
You can do some simple things to help emergency personnel reach a person in need. Use the letters S-I-R-E-N to remember the right way to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Stay Alert
Drive defensively, keep the noise level down in your vehicle, and look for more than one emergency vehicle approaching when you hear a siren.
Investigate
Check your rearview mirror, scan in front and on both sides of your vehicle, try to estimate the speed of the emergency vehicle, and plan your next move.
React
React quickly, but calmly, and scan in all directions before pulling over to the closest edge of the road. Pull as far off the highway as you can, as safely as possible. Stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicles pass. Don't slam on the brakes or pull over suddenly. Gradually brake to avoid losing control in loose gravel on the shoulder. Always use a turn signal when exiting the roadway.
Enter
Before reentering the roadway, make a visual sweep in all directions. Turn on your turn signal, and gradually merge back into traffic.
Never Block or Follow
Don't stop at a place that doesn't have enough room to pull over safely and never follow or try to outrun an emergency vehicle.
Be alert for pedestrians who may be in the crosswalk or at the edge of the roadway. They might be looking for the emergency vehicle as well and not be aware of your efforts to yield properly.
Always use your signal so that other drivers know how you intend to exit the road and look for others that may have to cross lanes of traffic to yield. Pull as far off the highway as safely as possible and gradually brake to avoid losing control in loose gravel on the shoulder.
Move Over Act
The safety of our emergency workers and law enforcement officers is always of paramount importance. They put their lives on the line every day to ensure that our roadways are as safe as they can be. Too many of these individuals have been severely injured or killed while executing their jobs. To help combat this problem, the Florida legislature recently passed the "move over act" which states that when you encounter an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road you must now do the following.
Vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle when on an interstate highway or a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction as the emergency vehicle, unless directed otherwise by a police officer.
Slow to a speed that is 20mph less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is at least 25 mph; or reduce your speed to 5mph when the posted speed limit is less than 20 mph when driving on a two lane road, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
A violation of this new law is a noncriminal traffic infraction and considered a moving violation.
Section 8.6. Required vehicle safety equipment
BRAKES:
Your car must have two braking systems. Each must be able to stop the car alone. The parking brake or emergency brake should be strong enough to hold the car on any hill. This is a manual brake and operated by a separate pedal or a pull handle. Please refer to your owner's manual to determine which kind of emergency brake your car is equipped with. It must set after parking and be released before moving the car. It may be used to help stop the car if the other brakes fail. If you do need to stop the car, work the parking brake gradually to prevent locking up the wheels and sending the car out of control. In addition to working the parking brake, release your foot from the accelerator and down shift to slow the car down.
The other braking system is a hydraulic fluid braking system or sometimes called power-assisted brakes. Applying the foot pedal located next to the accelerator or gas pedal activates the system. Maximum pressure on this type of braking system can cause brake lock-up and cause the vehicle to start skidding resulting in loss of control. To prevent this from happening, you must pump the brakes while maintaining control of the car. You must apply enough pressure to get maximum braking without skidding.
Some vehicles have what is called ABS or anti-locking braking system, a system, which will not allow the brakes to lock up. In an emergency situation, you must put your foot on the brake and not release it or as I say "Lay on them and stay on them". If you do this with ABS brakes, you will feel a vibration coming from the brakes that means the brakes are doing their job. They are basically pumping the brakes for you. ABS is very good on wet roadways or roadways with less than normal or little friction. The hydraulic system using brake fluid needs to be checked periodically. Once again, check your owners manual so you know which braking system your car is optioned with.
You are required to have your brakes in such a condition that at the speed indicated, you are able to stop within the yellow zone. However, it is much more beneficial to have your brakes in such a condition that you are able to stop in the green "safety" zone.
LIGHTS:
Your car must have the following lights:
Bright (high-beam) headlights which show objects 450 feet ahead.
Dimmed (low-beam) headlights which show objects 150 feet ahead.
Two red taillights mounted on the rear, visible from 1,000 feet.
A white light that keeps the license plate visible from 50 feet (the plate must be kept clean).
Two red stoplights, seen from 300 feet in the daytime, that must come on when the foot brake is pressed.
Two white lights that indicate when you are backing up.
Two amber lights that serve as your turn signals which allow other motorists to know when and where you are turning.
All vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, must have at least one white light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the front. They must also have two red lights visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet to the rear, or one red light to the rear visible at 1,000 feet and two red reflectors visible from all distances from 600 to 1,000 feet.
HORN:
Your vehicle must have a horn that can be heard from a distance of 200 feet.
WINDSHIELD WIPER:
Your vehicle must have a windshield wiper in good working order for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield.
WINDSHIELD:
Must be safety glass and may not be covered or treated with any material that has the effect of making the windshield reflective or in any way non-transparent. It must be free of any stickers not required by law.
SIDE WINDOWS:
May not be composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which has a highly reflective or mirrored appearance and reflects more than 35% of the light.
REAR WINDOWS:
When the rear window is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which makes the window non-transparent, the vehicle must be equipped with side mirrors on both sides.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS:
You must have electrical turn signals if your vehicle measures more than 24 inches from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, or when the distance from the steering post to the rear of the body or load is greater than 14 feet.
TIRES:
Your tires should have visible tread of at least 2/32 of an inch across the base with no worn spots showing the ply. Smooth tires on wet roads contribute to serious crashes.
MIRRORS:
Your car must have at least one rearview mirror which gives a view of the highway at least 200 feet to the rear.
EXHAUST SYSTEMS:
Your vehicle must have a good, working exhaust system in constant operation at all times. This system must include a muffler, a manifold pipe, and a tailpipe that prevents excessive or unusual noise. There is a maximum level of noise (measured in decibels) that is legal in Florida. The exhaust system must prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke. Your vehicle must have proper equipment to prevent air pollution.