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Driving Tips
To rent a car you must have a valid driver's license from your
country, major credit card & be at least 25 years of age (drivers
under 25 have to pay a daily fee).
The operator of the vehicle must possess a valid driver's license
& vehicle registration while driving.
Drivers, front seat passengers and children under 16 in the back
are required by law to wear seat belts. Children five years and
under need to have an approved child seat or restraint, non-use
will get you a $60 fine.
Right turns are permitted at red lights after a full stop, unless
otherwise posted.
Florida law requires headlights to be on during rainstorms.
Speed limits are 30mph on business and residential roads, 55mph
in other locations and 70mph for highways. Look out for 20mph school
zones though, where the limits extend 30 minutes before and after
school opening hours. All speed limits are posted & strictly
enforced. Speeding fines are doubled in school & construction
zones (& also on Disney property).
Do not drink & drive. Florida has adopted tough policies regarding
drunk driving (blood alcohol levels of .08 percent or higher are
prohibited). If you have alcohol in the car, it must be in the boot.
You can be overtaken, or overtake, on the inside as well as the
outside.
Loose change in US coins may be required for tolls & parking.
When driving keep all car doors locked.
Car
Safety
According to law enforcement officials, criminals employ a number
of methods designed to distract motorists and force them to stop
their vehicles. This is especially true for people criminals think
may be tourists.
Deception methods include:
- Yelling, honking, or pointing at your car as if something is
wrong with it
- Motioning or asking you to stop and lend assistance
- Flashing headlights at your vehicle
- Bumping your car from behind
If you experience any of the above, don't pull over or stop. Instead,
drive immediately to the nearest service station or well lit public
area and telephone the police (9-1-1 in most areas).
8 steps to safe and happy travel
Know your route! Before leaving the rental counter, ask for specific
directions to your destination, including applicable expressway
entrances and exit numbers.
Roll 'em up! Keep your car doors locked and the windows up when
driving or when parked.
No free rides! No matter how innocent or needy they may appear,
hitchhikers can mean bad news. Avoid them.
Know your car! Familiarize yourself with your car's safety equipment,
such as headlights and hazard lights, door locks, and spare tire,
before leaving the rental place. Always fasten your seat belts.
Hide your valuables! Lock purses, wallets, luggage, and valuables
in the trunk or glove compartment.
See the light! Should you become lost, do not pull over on the
side of the road to study your map or directions. Instead, drive
to the nearest well lit, populated, public place such as a service
station or restaurant. And be sure to lock your car and take the
keys with you.
Ready, check, go! Always park in well lit areas and make sure you
have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Before entering,
be sure to check inside and underneath your car. Lock your doors
immediately upon entering.
Make the call. In the rare event you feel you are being followed,
proceed to a well lit populated area and call the police. In most
areas throughout the United States, the police may be called by
dialing 9-1-1.
How
to spot a drunk driver
For your safety, watch for these warning signs to help you identify
a drunk driver:
- A vehicle making wide turns
- Straddling lanes or tires on the center line
- Drifting or moving in a straight line at a slight angle to the
roadway
- Driving with headlights off at night
- Appearing to be drunk (e.g., eye fixation, face close to windshield)
- Driving 10 mph below the speed limit
- Stopping without cause or erratic braking
- Slow response to traffic signals (e.g., sudden stop, delayed
start)
- Nearly striking an object, curb, etc.
- Weaving or zig-zagging across the road
- Driving on the wrong side of the road or anywhere other than
a road designated for vehicles
- Swerving
- Tailgating
- Accelerating or decelerating quickly
What to do if you see someone driving drunk?
Report suspected drunk drivers immediately to area law enforcement
from a car phone or pay phone; provide the license plate number,
description of the vehicle and the direction in which it was traveling.
Do not attempt to stop the vehicle.
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