Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in

property damage of more than $50 

Unlawful speed - 16 MPH or more over lawful or posted speed

The fine for exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 mph is $1,000 for the first offense and $2,500 for the second.

DUI FIRST CONVICTION

fine

fine $500-$1,000, with BAL .15 or higher or minor in the vehicle, not less than $1,000 

prison

FOURTH OR MORE CONVICTION

Fine

If you refuse to take the tests when asked, your license will automatically be____...

A second refusal will result in an___.

suspended for one year.

8 month suspension and is a second degree misdemeanor.

The Financial Responsibility Law requires ...

Traffic Crashes - Your Responsibilities

STOP

If you are in a crash while driving, you must stop. If anyone is hurt, you must get help. You must also be ready to give your name, address, and vehicle registration number, as well as show your driver license to others involved in the crash.

REPORT THE CRASH

If the crash causes injury, death, or property damage, it must be reported. Call the local police, the Florida Highway Patrol, or the county sheriff's office. If the crash involves a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) or results in death, injury, or property damage to the extent a wrecker must tow a vehicle, the officer will fill out a report. If the crash is investigated by an officer, the driver need not make a written report. If property damage appears to be over $500 and no report is written by an officer, you must make a written report of the crash to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 10 days. The officer will provide you with a copy of the form for your records.

MOVE YOUR CAR IF IT IS BLOCKING TRAFFIC

If your car is blocking the flow of traffic, you must move it. If you cannot move it yourself, you must get help or call a tow truck. This is true anytime your vehicle is blocking the flow of traffic whether it has been involved in a crash or not.
APPEAR IN COURT

If you are charged in a crash, you may have to go to court. The officer who comes to the scene of the crash will file charges against any driver who violated a traffic law. Anyone who is charged will have a chance to explain to the court what happened. The court will then decide what the penalty is. Anyone who is not charged with violating the law may have to come to court as a witness. If you are found at fault in a collision where anyone is injured and transported to a medical treatment facility or it is your second collision in a two-year period, you will be required by law to attend a Traffic Collision Avoidance Course. The traffic school that conducts this course can be found in the yellow pages of your local telephone book under Driving Instruction.

Crash Involving an Unattended Vehicle

Defensive Driving

1. Look for possible danger. Think about what might happen. If there are children playing by the road, plan what you will do if one runs or rides into the street.
2. Understand what can be done to prevent a crash. See the defensive driving tips which follow and the Handling Emergencies section later in this chapter.
3. Act in time. Once you have seen a dangerous situation, act right away to prevent a crash.

When You Back Up you need to..

how do you 

Avoiding Rear-end Collisions

• Keep you from being thrown from the vehicle. The risk of death is five times greater if you are thrown from a vehicle in a crash.
• Keep you from being thrown against others in the vehicle.
• Keep the driver behind the wheel, where he or she can control the vehicle.
• Keep you from being thrown against parts of your vehicle, such as the steering wheel or windshield.

• A vehicle is already in the intersection.
• You enter or cross a state highway from a secondary road.
• You enter a paved road from an unpaved road.
• You plan to make a left turn and a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction.

Safety Rules for Pedestrians are...

what do you do when a emergency vehicle has their lightg on and heading towards you?

Bike Lanes at Intersections

Three-Point Turn

1. Move as far right as possible, check traffic, and signal a left turn.
2. Turn the steering wheel sharply to the left and move forward slowly. Stop at the curb, or edge of roadway.
3. Shift to reverse, turn your wheels sharply to the right, check traffic, and back your vehicle to the right curb, or edge of roadway.

• The driver of the car being passed must not increase speed until the pass is complete.
• Help other drivers pass you safely. Move to the right side of your lane to give them more room and a better view of the road ahead.

Where you see a "DO NOT PASS" or "NO PASSING ZONE" sign.

Where a solid yellow line is painted on your side of the center line.
On hills or curves and at intersections.
Within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct, tunnel, or railroad crossing.

the Two-Second Rule

• Watch the vehicle ahead pass some fixed point - an overpass, sign, fence corner, or other marker.
• Count off the seconds it takes you to reach the same spot in the road ("one thousand and one, one thousand and two...").
• If you reach the mark before you finish counting, you are following too closely. Slow down and check your following distance again.

Following Distance For Trucks

• Turn your wheels so that if your car starts to move by itself it will roll away from traffic or into the curb. Study the diagram provided.
• Set the parking brake.
• Place automatic gear shift in park. Shift manual gears to reverse (downhill) or first (uphill).
• Turn vehicle off.

Where Parking is not Allowed

• Get into the exit lane. Posted signs will tell you which one. Most expressway exits are from the right lane.
• Signal your intention to leave the expressway by using your turn signal.
• Slow down as soon as you are off the expressway. Check the posted safe speed for the exit ramp.
• Do not make last-minute turns into an exit. If you go past your exit, you must go to the next one.

Expressway Safety Reminders

Night Driving

Animals

Fog or Smoke

hydroplaning is when

what do you do during a breakdown

• If possible, park where the disabled vehicle can be seen for 200 feet in each direction.
• Move the vehicle so all four wheels are off the pavement.
• Turn on your emergency flashers.
• Get all passengers out on the side away from traffic.
• Tie a white cloth on the left door handle or antenna.
• Raise the hood.

Tire Blowout

• Do not use brakes.
• Concentrate on steering.
• Slow down gradually.
• Brake softly when the car is under control.
• Pull completely off the pavement.

Wet Brakes

• Test brakes lightly after driving through deep water.
• Brakes may pull to one side or may not hold at all.
• Dry brakes by driving slowly in low gear and applying brakes.

Right Wheels off Pavement

• Take your foot off the gas pedal.
• Hold the wheel firmly and steer in a straight line.
• Brake lightly.
• Wait until the road is clear.
• Turn back on the pavement sharply at slow speed.

Car or Motorcycle Approaching in your Lane

• Sound your horn.
• Brake sharply.
• Steer for the side of the road or the ditch.

Jammed Gas Pedal

• Keep your eyes on the road.
• Tap the gas pedal with your foot.
• Try to pry the pedal up with the toe of your shoe.
• Shift into neutral.
• Turn off the ignition. (Do not turn the key to lock, or your steering will lock.)
• Use your brakes.

Brake Failure

• Pump the brake pedal hard and fast, except for vehicles with anti-lock brakes.
• Shift to a lower gear.
• Apply the parking brake slowly and make sure that you are holding down the release lever or button. This will prevent your rear wheels from locking and your vehicle from skidding.
• Rub your tires on the curb to slow your vehicle, or pull off the road into an open space.

Skidding

• Take your foot off the gas pedal.
• Do not use your brakes, if possible.
• Pump the brakes gently if you are about to hit something.
• Steer the car into the direction of the skid to straighten the vehicle out. Then steer in the direction you wish to go.

Fire

• If the fire is small and you have a portable extinguisher, you should attempt to extinguish the fire.
• If you cannot extinguish the fire and it continues to get larger, get away from the vehicle, due to the presence of toxic fumes and the possibility of explosion.
• Never apply water to a gasoline or diesel fire.

The "No-Zone"

Passing

Following a Truck

Sharing the Road with a Bicycle

Sharing the Road with a Motorcycle

Lane Signals

Lane signals are used:

• When the direction of the flow of traffic changes during the day.
• To show that a toll booth is open or closed.
• To show which lanes are opened or closed.

You must never drive in a lane under a red X. A yellow X means that your lane signal is going to change to red. Prepare to leave the lane safely. You may drive in lanes beneath the green arrow, but you must also obey all other signs and signals.

Double Yellow Lines: One Solid, One Broken

Yellow Lane Lines

Broken Yellow Line

Double Yellow Lines

White Lane Lines

Broken White Line

Solid White Line

Double Solid White Line

Solid with Turn Lane Arrow

Solid white lines are used for turn lanes and to discourage lane changes near intersections. Arrows are often used with the white lines to show which turn may be made from the lane.

If you are in a lane marked with a curved arrow and the word ONLY, you must turn in the direction of the arrow. If your lane is marked with both a curved and straight arrow, you may either turn or go straight.

Reversible Lanes

Drivers from either direction may use the center lane for left turns.

• Bright (high-beam) headlights which show objects 450 feet ahead.
• Dimmed (low-beam) headlights which show objects 150 feet ahead.
• Two red taillights mounted on the rear, visible from 1,000 feet.
• A white light that makes the license plate visible from 50 feet (The plate must be kept clean).
• Two red stoplights. They must be seen from 300 feet in the daytime, and must come on when the foot brake is pressed.

he following rules apply to the drawbar or towing connection:

• It must be strong enough to pull all towed weight.
• It must not be more than 15 feet long unless you are towing poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects that cannot be easily taken apart.
• If a chain, rope, or cable is used as the towing connection, you must have a white flag at least 12 inches square attached to it.

• At night, or when you cannot see clearly, at least 1,000 feet ahead, the following markers must be used:
• Two red lamps on the back of the load which can be seen from at least 500 feet to the rear.
• Two red reflectors on the rear which can be seen at night from all distances between 100 and 600 feet when directly in front of low-beam headlights. These reflectors should be placed to show the full width of the load. Two red lamps, one on each side of the load, which can be seen.
• Two red lamps, one on each side of the load, which can be seen from at least 500 feet. These lamps should be placed near the end of the projecting load.

Anti-lock brakes prevent skidding and allow drivers to steer during an emergency braking situation. ABS can help improve vehicle stability (avoiding spin-outs), steering ability (directing the car where the driver wants it to go) and stopping capability (distance needed to stop the vehicle).

Many drivers learned the correct way to stop in an emergency situation where traction is lost and the vehicle slides is by pumping the brakes. While this is correct with conventional brakes, with ABS it is different. Drivers with ABS need to press down hard on the brake pedal, hold it and steer out of danger. In an emergency situation, the ABS automatically pumps the brakes at a faster rate than the driver could. Drivers should be aware that removing steady pressure from the brake pedal or pumping the brakes will disengage or "turn off" the ABS.

One of the most important benefits of ABS is that the driver can steer the vehicle away from hazards while braking. Drivers should not turn the steering wheel hard or jerk the vehicle in one direction. Control of the vehicle can be maintained by steering where the driver wants to go. Drivers need to check that traffic is clear when deciding where to steer and always remember to steer back into the original lane as soon as the hazard is cleared.

• Four-wheel on passenger cars and some light trucks. Always remember to brake hard and steer. It is important to keep firm and constant pressure on the brake pedal while stopping.
• Rear-wheel-only on some light trucks. It prevents the rear wheels from locking up so that the back end of the vehicle does not skid sideways. The front wheels can still lock up and the driver will lose steering control if this happens. In this situation, the driver should let up on the brake pedal with just enough pressure to allow the front wheel to start rolling again to regain control. When the driver feels that he has regained steering control, the brake pedal should again be firmly engaged.

• Bicyclists must obey all traffic controls and signals.
• An adult bicyclist may carry a child in a backpack or sling, child seat or trailer designed to carry children.
• You may not allow a passenger to remain in a child seat or carrier when you are not in immediate control of the bicycle.
• Bicyclists and passengers under age 16 are required to wear helmets approved by ANSI, Snell or other standard helmets recognized by Florida. (Bicycle helmets are recommended for all ages)
• Every bicycle must be equipped with a brake or brakes which allow the bicyclist to stop within 25 feet when traveling from a speed of 10 miles per hour on a dry, level, clean pavement.
• A bicyclist on a sidewalk or crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and must give an audible signal before passing.
• Keep at least one hand on the handlebars.
• On the roadway, check behind you before changing lanes.
• For use between sunset and sunrise, a bicycle must be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from 500 feet to the front and both a red reflector and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from 600 feet to the rear.
• If you are not traveling at the speed of other traffic, stay on the right-most portion of the roadway except when passing, making a left turn, avoiding hazards or when a lane is too narrow for you and a car to share it safely.
• When operating a bicycle on a one-way street with two or more traffic lanes, you may ride as close to the left-hand edge of the roadway as practical.
• Do not ride two abreast when this will impede the flow of traffic.
• If you intend to make a left turn, you are entitled to full use of the lane from which the turn is made.
• In addition to the normal vehicular-style left turn, you may proceed through the right-most portion of the intersection and turn as close to the curb or edge as possible at the far side. After complying with any official traffic control device, you may proceed in the new direction of travel.
• Signal your intent to turn to other vehicle operators by pointing in the direction you are going to turn.
• Do not wear headphones or any other listening device except a hearing aid while bicycling.
• Do not ride a bicycle when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Make a fraudulent driver license application.
• Allow your license to be used for a purpose that is against the law.
• Are convicted in a traffic court and the court orders that your license be suspended.
• Refuse to take a test to show if you are driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Misuse a restricted license.
• Earn a certain number of points for traffic offenses on the point system.
• Break a traffic law and fail to pay your fine or appear in court as directed.
• Fail to pay child support.
• Fail to carry insurance on your vehicle.
• Fail to stop for a school bus.
• Use tobacco if you are under age.
• Retail theft.

• Driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances.
• A felony in which a motor vehicle is used.
• Not stopping to give help when the vehicle you are driving is involved in a crash causing death or personal injury.
• Lying about the ownership or operation of motor vehicles.
• Three cases of reckless driving within one year. Forfeiting bail and not going to court to avoid being convicted of reckless driving counts the same as a conviction.
• An immoral act in which a motor vehicle was used.
• Three major offenses or 15 offenses for which you receive points within a 5-year period.
• A felony for drug possession.
• Vision worse than the standard minimum requirements.
• Racing on the Highway. A court may also order that your license be revoked for certain other traffic offenses.