Florida Drivers

After the serious tone of yesterday's blog post, I wanted to lighten the mood with some observations from Florida. It hasn't taken us long to realize that there are a lot of crazy drivers on the roads down here in the Sunshine State. In fact, Interstate 4 in Florida is the #3 most dangerous interstate in the country.

Driving the Florida highways can be very intimidating, but apparently "baptism by fire" is the best way to learn. My husband and I have driven I-4 a few times already, and the good news is that we've escaped without incident so far. That's not to say that we haven't seen some very close calls though.

Accidents are not laughing matters, but I think the *rules for driving in Florida are something to giggle about. Drivers in Florida almost make Denver drivers look like saints, and that is no easy feat folks! So here we go.

* Please keep in mind, these are not the actual traffic laws,

although one might think so, for driving here in Florida.

Rules for Driving in Florida:

1. Never ever, for whatever reason, use your turn signal. Other drivers will brake accordingly.

2. The posted speed limits are only suggestions. Most likely you should add 10 mph to the posted speed limit. Drive as fast as the weather, or your vehicle, will allow.

3. Feel free to cut off all other drivers when necessary. Your vehicle is always the most important car on the road. For example: cutting off other drivers is acceptable when you almost miss your exit, when you are attempting to pass a much slower vehicle, or just because you feel like it.

4. Tailgating is not reserved for sporting events! Remember that measly 2 second rule for following too closely? You can forget it! Tailgating while driving is perfectly acceptable if not encouraged. Remember, you are the most important vehicle on the road.

5. U-turns are a way of life. All of the other states are doing it wrong! Forget turning left at intersections with traffic lights or left turn arrows. In Florida, the left turn is possibly every and anywhere you need one. No joke.

6. Yellow lights are your signal to step on the gas pedal. Many people would say a yellow light signals you to slow down for the impending red light, but that could not be further from correct. Floridian drivers take that yellow light, and sometimes the red ones too, as a signal that a long wait lies ahead. (This rule is especially dangerous, so be sure to look both ways before proceeding at a green light.)

7. Merge lanes are meaningless. If a vehicle is merging into traffic, do not let them in front of you. If you are using a merge lane to enter traffic, be sure to force your way into the flow of traffic. Merging traffic is only a nuisance, so make sure to treat merging vehicles with utter disrespect.

8. Let nothing get in the way of your final destination! When traffic gets busy, make sure to continue in a forward motion at all times. Slower vehicles, traffic jams, and all other vehicles on the road are there to get in your way.

So there you have it. Those are some of the rules of the road we have learned from observing the traffic patterns around us. Hopefully you had a good laugh over some of them. Have you ever driven in Florida and noticed any of the above trends? Or do you have similar drivers in your neck of the woods?

Happy Monday, friends!