Florida Drivers: BEWARE

[aidan80 9]

I too agree driving in Florida is almost an act of insanity at times! Old people and Teenagers are the two killer groups in my personal opinion. Old people for going too slow and generally not having a clue how to drive or how to pay attention to road signs!! I often wonder how many of these old people just had to show up or register to get their first license? How many actually did a test and when.. in the 50's or 60's? The majority not all but most teenagers suffer from "I'm invincible" syndrome or something. Why do they have to go as fast as possible, not wear a seat belt pull out right in front of you (same as the old people) then speed up as fast as possible (unlike the old people) or drive in the rain and not expect to go off the road when going as fast as possible?

I too see things all the time that make me question why they don't change the rules here as almost no one pays any attention to most of them? Yield, to some means go faster into on coming traffic, Stop means Yield, Red light means creep forward bit by bit into the junction, roundabouts.. lets all just stop and look at each other as we can't read the big sign that says "Circle has right of way", indicators they might as well take them off cars here almost no one uses them.. I could go on, other people could go on am sure lol! It's near impossible for some to just pay attention to the rules, very simple and basic yet they just cant do it?

They really should put stricter requirements on getting a license and keeping it. People should be retested every few years, the minimum age for driving should go up to 18. People hitting 60 - 65 should be required to take an exam every year or two and be required for a yearly eye exam. The actual exam and road test needs to be harder, it's pathetic at the minute an ape could pass it. It really should be a privilege to drive not a right when you turn 16 till death?

[chri'stina 190]

I hadn't seen this thread in about a year...good to see it again.

Thanks to my fellow Florida driving commiserators!

[Niels Bohr 72]

It's not just FL, it's in MA as well. The old folks drive 20 mph in a 60 mph zone. And, within the city limits they drive 5 mph in a 30 mph zone. They're working on legislation to restrict old people from driving.

And, that's not the only problem. Their limited ability to react quickly can increase their risk of getting into an accident.

[wayno 9]

Have spent plenty of time in S. FL in the past and before I started traveling, really hated the traffic, not that the D.C. area ( where I grew up) was/is any better. Then I went to Venezuela and on to Costa Rica. Talk about scarry. Driving in S. FL traffic as well as the D.C. mrtro area is now a pleasure because people here actually know how to drive.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Have spent plenty of time in S. FL in the past and before I started traveling, really hated the traffic, not that the D.C. area ( where I grew up) was/is any better. Then I went to Venezuela and on to Costa Rica. Talk about scarry. Driving in S. FL traffic as well as the D.C. mrtro area is now a pleasure because people here actually know how to drive.

Yeah. People drive crazy fast and the furious in Costa Rica.

[NickD 203]

One of the penalties of not dying is growing old, we have old people here too, they don't bother me. At least not as much as drunk drivers in this stupid state, bars all over the place with the only access to them is with a car. State is so stupid, can't even buy a bottle of wine after 9:00 PM, but the bars are opened until 2:00AM, really the worse time to be on the road if you have an emergency call.

I can give an old person plenty of leeway, hopefully I will live that long, and if an accident does occur, usually a fender bender, but these drunks kill people, so as far as getting people off the road, drunks are my first choice, suckers will wander oncoming head on into your lane. State is deep in debt, but haven't increased the alcohol tax in 40 years. Not talking about rates, but a fixed cost on a barrel of beer, something like a little over a buck a barrel. But can't do that, the tavern and beer industry is far too powerful in this state. Already lost a couple of neighbors due to drunken drivers and my turn may be next.

[Niels Bohr 72]

True. Drunkin Drivers are more of a concern. I still believe old people when reached a certain age should not drive. Driving requires alertness. The older they are, the less alert they would be.

[NavarreMan 10]

I just got home and my blood pressure must have gone up there while driving. I couldn't stop yelling things in the car today while driving. No one else could hear me, of course, but grr! "What the heck are you doing!!?" "MOVE over!", etc.

Why are they driving?!!!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=198504

Ah - I see the Texas idiot is at it again. I am not fooled by the attempt at misdirection. Just a reminder that this thread is not about foreigners, but drivers in general who do not obey the laws or drive in a safe or considerate manner.

[almaty 19]

here is a chop and tries to make every thread fit into his personal bias

[ScottThuy 140]

I have lived in FL all my life and tend to think that there are 3 types of seriously dangerous drivers here...

1. Elderly that become easily confused/disoriented and react very slow

2. Non licensed non insured drivers... a huge number of folks that should not be there on the road. Many dont know how to drive very well either

3. Drunks! Wow there are so many DUI's in FL it blows my mind. I personally know of more the 4 dozen people with DUI's... and a couple of people that have caused accidents resulting in death.... 1 guy I know has had 2 dui manslaughters.. yep thats right two different accidents a few years apart... both resulting in another drivers death. One would think after he killed one person things would change... nope...

The only thing we can do as drivers is hope law enforcements catches them and in the meantime drive less and drive defensively.... these threats are out there and you need to get used to them.. they are not going away... in fact with the economy in its current state, there will be more DUI's as people are trying to drink the problems away.

[ScottThuy 140]

Have spent plenty of time in S. FL in the past and before I started traveling, really hated the traffic, not that the D.C. area ( where I grew up) was/is any better. Then I went to Venezuela and on to Costa Rica. Talk about scarry. Driving in S. FL traffic as well as the D.C. mrtro area is now a pleasure because people here actually know how to drive.

Yeah. People drive crazy fast and the furious in Costa Rica.

People in countries tlike Costa Rica and Vietnam take driving seriously and are very alert when they are driving... they know how dangerous it is.. in the US people read the paper, put makeup on, talk on the phone and eat while driving... not something you would see elsewhere...

[thetreble 19]

WOW and i thought California drivers are bad lol.

Whole different kind of bad. California drivers are agressive, Florida drivers are just oblivious.

Ah, definitely a good distinction here. Jersey drivers are incredibly aggressive. Guess that's why we have the highest rate of auto insurance in the US.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

WOW and i thought California drivers are bad lol.

Whole different kind of bad. California drivers are agressive, Florida drivers are just oblivious.

Ah, definitely a good distinction here. Jersey drivers are incredibly aggressive. Guess that's why we have the highest rate of auto insurance in the US.

I've always felt that the most aggressive drivers I've ever run into have been in the Miami area. New York is a close second. Suburban NJ is no problem at all, I eat the drivers out here for breakfast with room left over for pigs in a blanket.

[thetreble 19]

WOW and i thought California drivers are bad lol.

Whole different kind of bad. California drivers are agressive, Florida drivers are just oblivious.

Ah, definitely a good distinction here. Jersey drivers are incredibly aggressive. Guess that's why we have the highest rate of auto insurance in the US.

I've always felt that the most aggressive drivers I've ever run into have been in the Miami area. New York is a close second. Suburban NJ is no problem at all, I eat the drivers out here for breakfast with room left over for pigs in a blanket.

Where in North Jersey counts as suburban? It's the most densely populated area in the United States. Most of it isn't suburban at all, until you get south in the state.

New York's aggressive drivers can be found in the city only, and the rest of the state is so spread out that's basically country driving.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Where in North Jersey counts as suburban? It's the most densely populated area in the United States. Most of it isn't suburban at all, until you get south in the state.

New York's aggressive drivers can be found in the city only, and the rest of the state is so spread out that's basically country driving.

Point taken, I was referring to my stomping grounds in Middlesex and Somerset counties. Most of that is definitely suburban, albeit quite dense.

I avoid North Jersey as much as I can, although I do end up in Union a lot.

As for New York, I was referring mostly to the City (all 5 boros) and LI. I was not referring to upstate.