If you're a teen driver in Florida, there are specific laws and guidelines to remember that will help you stay safe and enjoy driving more.
1. Curfews
If you are 16 years-old with a driver's license, you cannot drive between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM unless you're driving to or from work or someone 21 years or older is with you.
If you are 17 years-old with a driver's license, you cannot drive between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM unless you're driving to or from work or someone 21 years or older is with you.
If you are driving with a learner's permit, you are only permitted to drive during daylight hours for the first three months after receiving your permit. After three months, you can drive until 10:00 PM. But drivers with learner's permits must always have with them a licensed driver 21 years or older.
If you are 17 years-old with a driver's license, you cannot drive between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM unless you're driving to or from work or someone 21 years or older is with you.
If you are driving with a learner's permit, you are only permitted to drive during daylight hours for the first three months after receiving your permit. After three months, you can drive until 10:00 PM. But drivers with learner's permits must always have with them a licensed driver 21 years or older.
2. Driving Distracted
Texting is illegal in Florida. We're known as a "hands-free" state. The official Florida Statute regarding texting and driving reads:
"A person may not operate a motor vehicle while manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other characters into a wireless communications device or while sending or reading data on such a device for the purpose of nonvoice interpersonal communication, including, but not limited to, communication methods known as texting, e-mailing, and instant messaging."
Only under certain circumstances can you use your phone while driving, including talking using a hands-free device, reporting criminal activity, or dealing with an emergency. But keep in mind that if you are talking using a hands-free device, it's best to hang up when you're going through a school zone or another zone designated for slow, cautious driving.
And of course there are countless other distractions: using the GPS, loud music, eating food, and actively talking to other passengers. There are degrees of distraction with each, so the most important thing to remember is to stay focused on the road and the drivers around you.
Don't let something as insignificant as dropping a french fry cause an accident, an injury, or even a fatality.
3. Driving Under the Influence
According to a CDC study, "1 in 5 teen drivers involved in fatal crashes [have] some alcohol in their system." If you are under the age of 21 and have a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher, your license will be suspended for six months.
Police can pull you over if they suspect you're under 21 and driving under the influence. They don't need physical proof, just probable cause. And if you're pulled over and refuse to take a breath test, your license could be suspended for up to a year.
But the legal consequences shouldn't be the reason why you drive under the influence. 30% of all traffic fatalities in 2020 were related to alcohol-impairment in 2020. If you drink at a party, don't drive and don't get in the car with a drunk driver. Call someone else to get you home.
Police can pull you over if they suspect you're under 21 and driving under the influence. They don't need physical proof, just probable cause. And if you're pulled over and refuse to take a breath test, your license could be suspended for up to a year.
But the legal consequences shouldn't be the reason why you drive under the influence. 30% of all traffic fatalities in 2020 were related to alcohol-impairment in 2020. If you drink at a party, don't drive and don't get in the car with a drunk driver. Call someone else to get you home.
4. Speeding
From 2015 to 2019, teens from ages 16 - 19 accounted for more speeding-related traffic fatalities than any other age; 4,930 teen traffic fatalities, to be exact.
COVID led to a spike in crashes, and speeding has been a major cause, especially with teens. Why? Speeding creates a good feeling. Some teens like to impress passengers. Others like to prove a point to other drivers on the road. Whatever the reason, it's deadly.
Teens may learn from their peers that going 10 MPH over the speed limit is the norm. But research shows that even such a small increase in speed leads to an almost 80% increase in collision energy. And similar to gateway drugs, speeding can then lead to worse habits, like aggressive driving, tailgating, running stop signs and red lights, and ignoring pedestrians crossing the street.
COVID led to a spike in crashes, and speeding has been a major cause, especially with teens. Why? Speeding creates a good feeling. Some teens like to impress passengers. Others like to prove a point to other drivers on the road. Whatever the reason, it's deadly.
Teens may learn from their peers that going 10 MPH over the speed limit is the norm. But research shows that even such a small increase in speed leads to an almost 80% increase in collision energy. And similar to gateway drugs, speeding can then lead to worse habits, like aggressive driving, tailgating, running stop signs and red lights, and ignoring pedestrians crossing the street.
5. School Attendance
In the state of Florida, a teen under the age of 18 can't miss more than 15 unexcused days of school within a 90-day period. If not met, their driver's license or learner's permit will be suspended. If you're 18 or older, this law does not apply.
To get their license back, he or she must attend school for 30 days in a row.
To get their license back, he or she must attend school for 30 days in a row.
If you are a teen - or you have a teen - injured in an auto accident, call Wilkes & Mee today. With teens of our own, we know the law, and our Jacksonville car accident lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companions to yield the compensation you deserve as fast as possible.