Whether you are a lifelong Floridian or someone who plans on taking a two-week hiatus from work to enjoy the beaches of South Beach, taking in the sights and sounds of the Sunshine State is an experience you will never forget. 

There is so much to do in the region, but we want to focus on some of the reminders for safe driving that need to be taken before spending time in Florida. The crowds and the density of the place lead to a lot of traffic accidents, and several questions need to be answered related to driving.

How much is car insurance in Florida? What can you do to receive the best rates from an insurance company? We will also talk about alternatives to driving, and some of the precautions you need to take if you decide to drive while in Florida. 

What You Need to Know About Florida Traffic Laws

For the most part, traffic laws in Florida are very similar to traffic laws in all other states in America. There are rules against reckless driving and DUIs, there are speeding tickets, and there are rules about having your vehicle properly insured. 

The same familiar felonies apply here as in other parts of the country, like DUI manslaughter. You shouldn't need expert legal advice to know that you shouldn't be putting other people's lives in danger when you drive. It's a time for fun, not for tragedy, so make smart decisions that benefit everyone on the road. 

There are other unique laws to Florida that we should discuss and make you are aware of before you decide to visit or live in the Sunshine State

This may not be shocking once you hear about it, but you can be ticketed for driving too slow in the state of Florida. The number of drivers on the road from diverse backgrounds and different parts of the world will lead to some confusion around this rule, but it makes sense that everyone needs to move at a safe pace. 

Going too slowly can be just as bad as going too fast when there are so many cars on the highway at the same time. Traffic jams make it inevitable for there to be slowdowns, though, so don't worry about getting ticketed if there is a buildup during rush hour and nobody can move at the suggested speed limit. 

Another fascinating difference in laws between Florida and other states is that a moped, a small type of motorcycle, is not considered a motor vehicle in the state. They don't need to be insured to be driven on the road. 

This also means that you need to be extra careful when touring around the Florida beaches with one of these things, as you will not be protected in case of an accident. They are quite common to see around the area with tourists who don't want to rent a car and have a love for bicycles and other types of motorcycles. 

These may not seem like important tidbits to remember, but the enormous number of tourists in the state makes it difficult for newbies to keep up with the culture of the drivers in the area. You will go outside quite a bit more often than somewhere like Washington, where it rains most of the time. Keep this in mind when visiting or returning to the fun of Florida.

How expensive is car insurance in Florida?

You're legally required to have car insurance to drive a car in Florida, much like most states in the country. If you are caught without insurance, you will be ticketed, but the penalties are much more lenient than in other states. Why is this, and how can you encourage people to get insured if the discipline is so small in comparison to other places?

Car insurance expenses in Florida rank in the top five for the entire country. Many residents worry that they will go broke paying for the policies on tap, and they would rather take a chance driving safely and hoping that they never need to rely on making a claim after an accident occurs.

The lower ticket penalties are probably a direct correlation to the high-priced insurance. Still, if Florida wants their drivers to buy a policy, they would be better off penalizing those who forgo it much more harshly.

But what about visitors who will only be on vacation for a couple of weeks and want to drive a rental car? Do these people need the same types of insurance policies for their cars as folks who make their permanent homes in the area? 

If you are a tourist in the area, you need to make sure that your vehicle is insured for the time that you are in the state. If you are only going to be visiting for a week or two, you may not even feel that you need a car. This will save you the time and money of getting insurance. 

Don't Get Intimidated by Florida

The state of Florida gets a bad rap for its unconventional rules and weird laws that citizens forget. Tourists will have a hard time knowing if they don't educate themselves on the differences in law between Florida and their home state. 

Despite these unusual differences, there are plenty of common sense similarities between driving in all of the states and countries around the world. Go with the flow of the traffic. Never speed or drive too slowly as it may cause an accident. Abide by the rules of drinking and driving, as alcohol is one of the most deadly combinations with motor vehicle use. 

And don't be afraid to ask locals for help. Florida is a fun and exciting atmosphere, albeit a little strange at times, but driving shouldn't feel that foreign to you. Stick to your good habits from back home, and you should be able to traverse the summer sun in peace and bliss.

About The Author: Shawn Laib writes and researches for the car insurance comparison site, FloridaCarInsurance.com. He enjoys helping tourists and visitors understand the laws in the Sunshine State.