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Hallandale Beach is known as the “Most Southern Canadian City” because of the significant number of Canadians (and US tourists from the Northwestern area of the country) who visit the city each year. The number of tourists and snowbirds from the North often increases during winter months, as seniors and other visitors migrate to Florida for the warmer weather. Unfortunately, the influx of new drivers can mean an added risk of car accidents in Hallandale Beach and across Florida. If you are spending the winter in Florida this year, the following tips can help keep you safer:

1) Get Familiar with Florida laws and streets. Florida streets may be significantly different than streets in your hometown. If you will be spending time in Florida, get familiar with local laws, driving habits, and roadways. Many traffic accidents in Hallandale Beach and across Florida occur because of driver inexperience.

2) Get Florida insurance and registration. Under Florida law, any car owner who has their vehicle in the state for over 90 days must register the car in Florida. If you sustain a head injury in Hallandale Beach – or any traffic-related injury in South Florida – your insurance company may not compensate you if you violate this law. If you spend your entire winters in Florida, this law may mean that you need to buy two insurance policies – one in your usual place of residence and one in Florida. However, this added expense is a better option than being under-insured.

3) Use extra caution on I-95 and other interstate roads. These high-speed roadways do have a higher risk of truck accidents and other traffic accidents.

4) Get a copy of the Coast Guard’s Code of Federal Regulations to get familiar with bridges and drawbridges in the area. South Florida has many waterways and bridges. If you are not from the area, you may not be familiar with driving over bridges. Drawbridges, especially, may have hours you are not familiar with.

5) Go beyond local laws to stay safe. Not every safe driver behavior is legislated. For example, Florida has no specific laws against texting and driving or driving fatigued, although many studies have proven that both driving behaviors are very dangerous and lead to accidents. Use common sense and common courtesy when driving on Florida streets. Driver sober and alert, and make sure that you get adequate rest before driving. It will help make your stay in the state safer and more pleasant.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

If you’re planning on driving in order to get to a family holiday event, you may well have to leave Florida and enter states where winter driving has a whole new meaning. Although in many cases Florida drivers do not need to worry about the dangers of winter driving – dangers which can include driving snow, snow drifts, and icy roads — once Florida drivers leave the state to visit family for the holidays, they may be in more danger than usual. Since Florida drivers are often unused to winter driving conditions, they may be at a higher risk of accidents when driving in unfamiliar, winter conditions. There are some ways to prevent this, however, if you will be traveling out of state for the holidays:

1) Make sure your car is ready for your destination. You may not need snow tires at home to prevent a Florida pedestrian accident or car accident. However, if you are driving to a state where winter conditions are probable or likely, get winter snow tires. If you are likely to be driving in heavy snow or is rural areas, look for studded tires, which have small spikes which grip icy roads and give you more control of your car.

2) Consider alternate forms of travel. If you have no experience driving in the snow, it may be easier and less expensive to fly, take a train, or take some other form of transportation to your holiday destination. Even letting someone experienced in winter driving can help.

3) Take a course in winter driving. A course in winter driving is likely readily available through a local driver’s education school. The tips you learn can help you prevent a Florida car accident and will prepare you for winter roads in other states as well.

4) Make sure you understand what conditions you will face. Use weather stations and Internet weather information from the government to determine what conditions you are likely to face. Knowing whether you are likely to face icy roads, snows, or hail can help you plan ahead.

5) Stay alert of weather condition changes and keep your plans flexible. If you are driving to a holiday destination in a wintry state, check weather forecasts before your departure. If there is any snow, you will need to slow down, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to arrive safely. If the weather is severe, stay flexible in your plans and find another way of arriving safe. In a snowstorm, it will be much safer to leave your car at home and use a train or plane to get to your destination, especially if you have limited winter driving experience.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog