For me personally, planning a trip to a new city is much more than packing luggage and booking airline tickets.
Arriving in a new city can be especially challenging for me sometimes, especially if I rent a car.
That’s why before I book the tickets and get my luggage, I have to know more about the city, driving traffic rules, and usually I research a lot .
Today I will give you the information that you need to know about everything that is connected to driving in Miami.
When I first came to Miami by car I was literally “lost” on the road.
I am not a shy driver, but the I-95 highway frankly scares me.
I think the risk of dying in a car accident is much higher here. The funny thing is that other drivers start shouting at me if I try to follow the traffic rules.
Cars changed lanes without turning the signals, drivers talked on the phone and even had breakfast on the way. Aggression and swearing was at every step – this was what a typical day on the road in Miami.
Even a short trip in Miami turned into a challenge for me.
And if on small roads it did not feel so much , then on highways, for example, I-95, driving looked more like a constant “fight”.
Everyone was honking, violating the speed limit, changed the lines at any convenient time for them, and without turning signals, moved out through two lanes.
And even if you make a remark to such a crazy driver, then there is a risk of getting an even greater “portion” of indignation.
That is why it is worthwhile to study in advance some of the local features of driving in
Florida.
Buckle up and Let’s drive !
!
!
=)
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Roads Conditions In Miami
The roads are in good condition, without holes, the roads in Miami are adapted to normal driving.
Everything here is convenient and thought out: parking lots, markings, interchanges, a minimum of prohibition signs and quite tolerable traffic jams.
It will not be difficult for a knowledgeable driver to adapt to the rules of the road in Miami but it will be difficult to adapt to the culture of other drivers.
However, ignorance is no excuse.
Therefore, read the information below on what points you should pay attention to when driving on the roads of this city:
About I-95 Road
Florida is the third state for the number of crashes and
the
second in the rate of crashes caused by distracted driving.
In the first case, the “sunny state” is second only to California and Texas , in the second – to Louisiana.
I-95 remains the most dangerous road in the state.
More than 30% of all accidents on this highway fall on the section that is located within Florida. And this despite the fact that this part of the route is only about 20% of the entire length.
I heard that some police specifically don’t stop cars here. They are afraid that it will endanger their lives.
In 2022, five times less police officers patrolled the highway than two decades earlier.
One of the main problems of this highway is that the ramps here serve as a lane.
This is confusing for beginners and creates an emergency situation.
Basic Driving and Traffic Rules In Miami
Is SunPass Only for Florida Residents?
In Florida, you can turn on the “emergency” light when driving on the highway in the rain or fog.
It used to be illegal, but the State Senate later approved an amendment to the rule.
This caused an uproar among some politicians, who said that drivers now dictate traffic rules on their own.
As for emergency vehicles, you need to slow down in front of an emergency vehicle parked at the curb, a repair car or special vehicles with lights on board.
Headlights should be on from dusk to dawn. This rule also works if you have to drive a car in fog, rain or storm.
Some additional nuances:
Remember that speed limit signs are on the right, as are highway exits;
Turning right at a red traffic light is possible, but only after a complete stop and in the absence of a sign at the intersection prohibiting this;
When stopping at the toll booths, turn off the windshield wipers;
Children under the age of 4 and/or weighing up to 40 pounds must be secured in a special seat;
Some of the state’s highways are equipped with an electronic toll collection system, on such
roads it is impossible to stop at the toll booths;
In Florida you don’t need an international driver’s license, just an ID is enough.
Keep your driver’s license, insurance, registration papers or car rental papers with you at all times.
Always pay attention to published speed limits: 15 mph in school zones, 30 mph in business or residential areas.
Is SunPass Only for Florida Residents?
No,
SunPass is for everyone who is using toll roads in
Florida
.
No other state in the US has as many toll roads and bridges as Florida.
Not surprisingly, Florida State now has a complex toll system.
SunPass is an electronic prepaid system used on most Florida toll roads.
It is also the most affordable way to use all toll roads. A small, pocket-sized device called a “SunPass Portable Transponder” or “SunPass Mini Sticker Transponder” is attached to the inside of your car’s windshield, just below your rearview mirror.
This device communicates with toll readers via radio frequency.
When your vehicle passes through the SunPass lanes, the toll is automatically deducted from your prepaid toll bill.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay SunPass Tolls?
You will get an invoice to your registered home/ hotel/ apartment address with a big fine.
If you are driving your own vehicle, you can purchase your own SunPass transponder or mini-sticker to attach to your vehicle.
If you are driving a rental car, be sure to check with the car rental company about their toll policies.
Most car rental companies charge a fee for using SunPass. Always ask the car rental company in advance to find out what to expect and avoid paying extra fees.
Parking in Miami
Miami is a large metropolis, so you will have to pay for parking in most areas of the city,unfortunately.
Prices depend on the area and how long you plan to park your car.
The Miami Parking Authority operates the majority of public parking spaces in several Miami neighborhoods including Downtown, Coconut Grove, Brickell, Little Havana , Wynwood, and the Design District (including community lots, metered street parking, and garages).
The easiest way to pay for parking in these areas is to download Apple or the Android Pay app on your phone.
As parking spaces are often limited during peak tourist season and peak times, I recommend using the ParkMe – Miami Beach app to show you all available parking spaces.
Now you can unfasten your belt and breathe out, we arrived to the end of the article =)