Jacksonville is one of the many large cities that makes up Florida. The area is well known for being a center of business and trade, but also has a thriving tourism industry due to its proximity to the beach. Residents enjoy great cuisine and their local NFL franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars. If you live in the city of Jacksonville, you probably drive around the city

Jacksonville: Driving Conditions in the City

If you drive in the city of Jacksonville, you probably understand how bad the traffic can get. If you want to ensure that you have a safe trip, it’s very important that you stay especially aware when bad traffic is occurring. You can look up traffic data through various local sources and many mainstream traffic apps.

In terms of weather, Jacksonville doesn’t have very harsh winters, so it’s rare you’ll have to worry about winter related issues while driving in the city. This being said, Florida is known for having extremely bad storms. If you want to avoid driving in bad conditions, it’s important to make sure that you pay attention to weather warnings. Hurricanes and tropical storms have also been known to hit the region, so make sure to bring your car to an elevated surface if you think flooding might occur. A comprehensive insurance plan can often help you avoid flooding costs.

Driving Safety Laws in Jacksonville, Florida

If you’re going to be a responsible driver in Jacksonville, it’s very important that you pay close attention to the safety laws of the region. Different states and cities have different road rules and punishments. In this section of our article, we’re going to take a deeper look at the road rules to help you make sure you don’t get a large fine form local authorities. There are both state and local regulations in Jacksonville. Check out the main ones below:

Phone/Handheld Laws in Jacksonville

If you’re thinking of texting and driving, you won’t be able to do it anywhere in Florida – it is illegal to text and drive throughout the entire state. You can still talk on your phone without a financial punishment, but we advise you to avoid this at all costs. Distracted driving has become an increasingly large problem across the country. Many people die as a result of people using their handheld devices on the road.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Jacksonville

If you are driving a vehicle in Jacksonville, you are required by law to use a seat belt in the front seat of a vehicle. In addition, the person sitting in the front passenger must also wear a seatbelt. Those in the back seat can go without a seat belt if they are over the age of 18 – those under 18 must wear them. Keep in mind, as a driver you will be held responsible if someone in the back seat of your car is not wearing a seat belt and they are under the age of 18.

In addition, if you have a child of the age of three or under, they must be in a car seat. Children that are four and five must also use at least a booster seat. Make sure to secure your vulnerable passengers.

Helmet Laws in Jacksonville

If you operate a motorcycle or any other similar vehicle on the roads in Jacksonville, you will be required to wear a helmet if you are under the age of 21. If you are over 21, you are able to go without a helmet as long as you are currently insured for at least $10,000 of applicable medical coverage.

Motorcyclists that don’t use helmets are putting their health and safety at risk. You and your co-riders should always wear a helmet – it can save your life.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

Driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol is illegal throughout the entire country. But there are different rules that apply to different states. In Jacksonville, DUI laws from the state of Florida apply to drivers. If you are over the age of 21, you will be given a DUI if you have a BAC of over .08. If you are given a DUI, the potential punishments include up to a year of probation, $1,000 in fines, 50 hours of community-based service, and more. You may also be required to carry non owners sr22 insurance depending on a number of factors.

Keep in mind, if you blow above a .15, this shows that you are extremely intoxicated and further punishments may apply. You may receive nine months of jail, a year of license suspension, a $2,000 fine, and 50 hours of community service. Your vehicle may be impounded for up to ten days as well.

Also, if you’re under the age of 21, you will be charged with a DUI if your BAC is over .02, so make sure not to consumer any alcohol underage if you plan on driving.

Jacksonville Statistics

Jacksonville is fourth in Florida in terms of vehicles stolen. This means that you need to be careful if you leave your car in an unsheltered area. Make sure to stay aware of potential car thieves by keeping tabs on the news. If you want to protect yourself against the cost of theft, make sure you have a comprehensive insurance plan.

In terms of on-road accidents, Florida had over 215,000 accidents in 2017. There were over 1,600 traffic fatalities in the same year. Make sure to remain vigilant when you’re on the road in Florida.

Verdict

Staying aware of all the information above can help you remain a safer driver. But risks are unavoidable at times. If you want to avoid as much risk as possible, it’s also good to have a solid insurance plan – it can protect you against the large costs of an accident. But insurance can be expensive, so make sure to check out some of the insurance companies we suggest if you want to keep your costs low.

Our website has a wealth of information on on to get cheap auto insurance in Florida, make sure to check out some of our other content before you leave!