Florida may no longer be the spring break capital of the world, but the state still hosts thousands of college students who make the historic trek each year for the sun and beaches. And while those hard-working students may need a break from studying and snow, there are a number of important safety tips that we would like to share to keep them safe and get them back to school on time.
Death tolls are reported to be 9.1% higher during spring break, with higher incidences of fatalities among drivers under 25 and those traveling out-of-state.
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Florida’s Legal Drinking Age is 21
Florida State Law requires that you must be 21 to purchase, consume, or possess alcoholic beverages. Some Florida clubs will allow people 18 and older in, but will give them a special stamp or tag that identifies them as patrons who are not permitted to drink. In other words, if you are not at least 21, forget about drinking, and leave your fake ID back in the dorm.
If you are over 21 and decide to drink during your visit to our state (who are we kidding), please make sure you don’t drive. Florida’s law enforcement is out in full force looking for anyone who may be driving over Florida’s legal blood-alcohol limit, which is .08%. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Florida is a serious offense, creating a huge safety concern for you, your passengers, and anyone else with whom you share the road. The average cost of a legal defense for DUI in Florida can be as much as $10,000, and a conviction can create a permanent criminal record.
Drunk Driving in Florida Under 21
Florida has a zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21. This means that all drivers under 21 who are stopped by law enforcement and have blood alcohol levels of .02% or higher will automatically have their Florida drivers’ licenses suspended for six months. The .02% limit really means that you cannot have a single drink and drive, and that’s the idea.
Uninsured Motorists in Florida
Florida allows people who own and operate cars to do so without having mandatory bodily injury coverage. That means that most people who are rear-ended or hit by another car or truck in Florida receive no compensation for pain and suffering or medical expenses that exceed the minimum mandatory PIP coverage.
In other words, the only way to protect yourself and your family in the event of a car, truck, or motorcycle accident in Florida is to purchase Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage. UM coverage is the most important and valuable coverage that will provide compensation for injured car accident victims when the party that causes the crash has either no insurance or insufficient coverage.
We recommend that anyone who owns any vehicle in Florida immediately verify that they have UM coverage. You can do this by reading your insurance card or contacting your agent. Yes, it is expensive–but without UM coverage, you do not have full coverage, and you lack the most important coverage to provide the needed compensation for a serious life-altering accident.
Contact a Miami Accident Attorney
Our Miami accident attorneys have investigated thousands of car accidents across the State of Florida, from Jacksonville to Key West. Let our years of experience help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free initial legal consultation at 1-866-597-4529, or email us at [email protected]
