Fort Lauderdale is one of the most popular beach areas in the state of Florida – it sits just North of Miami. The city is well-known for its summer tourism and has a large airport that acts as an international hub for the region. While the population of the city swells during the summer, there are plenty of residents living in the city full time. Public transport isn’t abundant in the city, so many residents rely on vehicles to get around the city.

If you own a vehicle in Fort Lauderdale, you might be on the lookout for ways to cut down your current insurance costs. If you choose the right insurance company, you can save hundreds of dollars on insurance every year. Our mission is to match our readers with the best insurance providers on the market. Below we will explore how to stay safe on roads in Fort Lauderdale and how you can get in touch with some of the best insurance firms in the region.

Fort Lauderdale: Driving Conditions in the City

Fort Lauderdale has plenty of traffic – as does most of the state of Florida. You’ll need to keep an eye on local reports if you want to avoid congestion. This is especially true in the summer when people come to town for the weather and beaches.

Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with wintery road conditions in Fort Lauderdale. This being said, there are plenty of summer storms and hurricanes are known to frequent the area. Florida has one of the largest concentrations of thunderstorms in the country. If you want to avoid accidents related to weather, make sure to pay attention to local reports and warnings. In addition, make sure to park your vehicle in an elevated spot if hurricanes are coming.

Purchase a comprehensive insurance plan if you want to offset the costs associated with a flood or storm damage.

Driving Safely in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

While it’s important to avoid traffic and storms if you want to be safe on roads in Fort Lauderdale, it’s also important to pay attention to local laws for the roads. Insurance companies prefer drivers who have clean driving records, so it’s important to avoid trouble as much as you can. As each city and state has different rules for driving, you need to stay aware if you’re not used to driving in Florida. Below are the top laws and regulations that you need to follow in Fort Lauderdale.

Phone/Handheld Laws in Fort Lauderdale

You are no longer allowed to text and drive in the state of Florida. Distracted driving has proven to be a major issue in much of the United States. Many people die because people are distracted by smart phones and other devices. Even if talking on the phone and driving is legal, it’s important to avoid it at all costs. You don’t want to add any unnecessary distractions while you’re driving.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Fort Lauderdale

All passengers in the front seats of vehicles need to be wearing a seat belt at all times – this includes driver’s seat and front passenger seat. In addition, anyone under the age of 18 needs to wear a seatbelt at all times. Those over the age of 18 and in the rear of a vehicle technically do not need to wear seatbelts, but this is not advisable.

In terms of car seats, it gets a little trickier. If your child is under the age of four, they must be secured in a car seat in the rear of a vehicle. If they are over the age of four, and under the age of six, they need to be in some form of federally approved child restraint system. Remember, not securing your child properly can carry significant punishments.

Helmet Laws in Fort Lauderdale

If you’re over the age of 21 in Florida, you’re able to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. This is only true if you also have $10,000 in personal medical coverage – the state government does not want to be financially responsible for your injuries. If you’re under the age of 21, you will need to wear a helmet at all times while driving a motorcycle – this applies to both passengers and drivers.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

If you’re over the age of 21 in Florida, the legal drinking limit is .08 (BAC). If you’re under the age of 21, this legal drinking limit is reduced to .02 – make sure not to consume any alcohol if you are a minor and plan on driving.

Punishments in Florida are particularly harsh. If you are a first-time offender, you might receive up to 50 hours of community service, a large fine, a full year of probation, six months in prison, and up to 180 days of license suspension. As you can tell, the price is very high for driving drunk in Florida – never operate a vehicle while intoxicated. And although DUI insurance companies can work with you to keep insurance costs down its still going to be higher.

Fort Lauderdale Statistics

If you’re curious about how dangerous the roads are in Fort Lauderdale, it’s important to take a look at the overall statistics for the state of Florida. In 2016, there were over 390,000 accidents on roads in Florida! In addition, there were over 3,100 fatalities. As you can see, there are plenty of risks for those driving on roads in Fort Lauderdale – make sure to stay as safe as possible while operating your vehicle.

Verdict

While it illegal to drive without insurance, it’s also important to make sure you have the best possible policy on the market. If you use an inferior insurance company, you might be overpaying for poor coverage. If you want to protect your car and your wallet, make sure to check out some of the insurance companies we partner with on our site to find the cheapest auto insurance in Florida.

If you feel like you need some more information on auto insurance, make sure to read some of our other content or compare auto insurance rates. We’re dedicated to providing our readers with all the information they need to make the right decision next time they purchase auto insurance!