BRITS Guide to DRIVING in the FLORIDA & USA AMERICA | Dos & Don'ts
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- #thelodgeguys
Welcome to our latest Vlog. We hope you enjoy it. Feel free to drop us a comment on the comments section. We love reading them
ABOUT US
⇢ Welcome to our TH-cam channel. We are Leigh and Nick, a married couple from the UK (Technically we are civil partner shipped but hey it's close enough)
Due to a health scare in 2017, we decided to start enjoying life more outside our business. We bought a Lodge on the east coast of England and started vlogging our daily adventures
Join us as we explore the UK, Florida, Disney and further afield aswell as spending time at the Lodge on our own, with family and with our friends
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With regard to stopping for school busses, ALL traffic in ALL directions must stop when the bus lights are flashing red (unless there is a median between you and the bus). This is to protect the children crossing in front of the bus. Great and informative video. You were driving around my neighborhood with those traffic circles!
yeah. We don't have that rule here, it's pretty much drilled into a child's head how to safely cross a road, so you almost never see a kid just step or run out from behind/in front of a bus like you often see American kids do. I think Europeans put a lot more onus on personal responsibility, even for children, rather than try to kiddy glove them 24/7, because the latter can actually be harmful to children, as they start to take things for granted, in the belief that everyone else is watching out for them, instead of watching out for themselves, which they should still be doing.
Turn right on red after you have come to a complete stop and have established that is clear to do so. At stop signs, if both cars arrive at the same time, the car to the right goes first
...the car to YOUR right.
Some intersections have signs posted saying “No Turn on Red” so in those instances you cannot turn right on red. It is clearly posted though when that is the case.
Great video guys! Wish I'd had this when we first visited Orlando back in 1988.
Over the years we have driven in the States many, many times and it does become second nature. However, I remember once, not long after Celebration had opened, we drove over from Disney to spend some time there. In a slight lapse of concentration, I came up to a Stop sign near the town centre but merely slowed right down and checked both ways, instead of actually stopping completely.
Minutes later a patrol car stopped us with a 'Did you realise...' lean through the window. Happily, we simply apologised, said we'd pay more attention in the future, said that it was our first time driving (even though it wasn't!) and that we were staying in Port Orleans Riverside! He let us go on our way with a friendly reminder.
This is a great vlog guys so informative & we think you’ve covered absolutely everything anyone needs to know..❤
We first found you guys back in 2019 when we were looking for videos on driving in Florida & came across your vlog Brits guide for driving in Orlando & have followed you guys ever since. Xx
So handy, I am sure folks are going to find all the information invaluable. Driving out of any unknown airport in a rental is always freaky. You covered so much - here are a couple more things. If an area has been subject to a power outage then all the traffic lights will continually flash on the red. The intersection is then treated like a 4 way stop (which when you have multiple lanes is a challenge so after stopping proceed with caution). Always come to a full stop before making a right turn on red. I trained myself by saying “one thousand, two thousand” before moving. Same applies for Stop signs. There are those who perform a rolling stop, in other words the wheels never fully stop. That will get you a ticket. Normally on a freeway if the right lane is going to become an off ramp the white road markings are shorter white dashed lines. Thanks guys.♥️❤️♥️
That was the most factually accurate vlog you have ever produced 😊
Great vlog! Also headlights on driving in rain ! It’s easy driving here in Florida! ☀️😎
Yes, the law is, if your wipers are on then your headlights must be on.
Brilliant & informative video guys, were thinking of the Pacific coast highway nxt year, so will probably pick a car up from san Fransisco...but a little nervous driving through san fran as I've never driven in the states b4
Driving in the USA is intimidating at first but you get used to it very soon and as the roads are usually straight its a lot easier once you get used to it
Cheers guys, fantastic informative video. Also enjoyed the “old married couple” banter 🤣🤣🤣
25:22 Oh, don't know if you mention it in your video, but parking: you must park in the direction of traffic, unlike in the UK. You cannot dive across the street to park.
The Sun Pass is only available in airports in Orlando… it’s not available in Miami Intl.
This was such a good vlog. It should get you lots of new subscriber ers through search.
Very informative 👏 will put many peoples mind at ease.
Thank you. I live in South Florida and it's confusing. Round-abouts, jug-handles, express lanes, ect.
30:32 I think it varies by state, in my state (Ohio) cat's eyes are very common out of the city on state and US routes (about the only time you won't see it is if you are on a country road. Fortunately, our roads aren't as windy so, you can see pretty far ahead most of the time.
Great video! Even Americans have trouble with round abouts, very new to America
lol, can only imagine what an American must think to the UK roads if they drive here for the first time
@The Lodge Guys Eveytime you guys are driving in the vlogs, I think that you are going to hit another car, especially the left turns, and then I realize you drive on the left.
We have roundabouts in michigan near the university of michigan. Let me say they are amazing we need roundabout everywhere here
Great vlog for anyone scared of driving in the US
What a great and informative video!
Some crosswalk lights do have speed cameras on there.
14:20 I think mainly because narrower roads, and many a time you don't have a clear view to your right to turn.
In florida you are technically supposed to pass on the left, however a lot of drivers don't
Just know that when druving anywhere in Florida is that most floridians dont use blinkers, stay out of the left lane unless you plan on passing and when getting on the inerstate dont slow down but stay at your normal speed and pick it up once you are on. Also know that although we do have speed limits here most Floridians dont follow them including the cops lol
Don't forget that when you want to turn round, you'll need to go to Texas.
Speed Limits are merely suggestions. 😂 If you're within 10 mph over, the police rarely bother you. Except for in the slkwer City and School Zones. But out on the Interstates, if the Limit says 65 mph, you'll still have people driving 80 mph. But 75 mph is a much safer speed to travel in such cases. The way i look at it is that when these Speed Limits were established back in the 1950s, cars were much clunkier, and their stop and go abilities were so much less capable than they are now. With 4-wheel disc brakes on most vehicles now, there's really no reason why our Speed Limits shouldn't be raised by 5 to 10 mph. I went from a 1999 Dodge Ram pick-up with rear-wheel drum brakes to a 2016 turbo-charged Ford F-150 with 4-wheel disc brakes and the difference in stopping power is like night and day. In fact, as soon as you start to brake, the engine starts engine-braking which helps you slow down even faster. Because when you hit the brake, it tells the computer, "OK, we're slowing down now, so it starts to downshift and the engine RPMs change to where it actually slows you down without using that much actual brake.
Thank you guys that was so helpful. Hope you’re both ok 🫶 My other half is looking at downloading the visitor toll app . Thanks again x
17:19 I believe now in Florida you are required to stay right except to overtake, and trucks/lorries are to keep out of the far left lane. They are starting to hit people with fines.
I live in the US and there are places I hate driving in. New Orleans is the worst. No problems in Orlando
Older American here. Good video but you might want to mention next time:
1) Gas pump handles in most states have an auto fill clip on the back of the handle so you don't have to stand there & hold the nozzle while you are filling the vehicle. The pump will shut off automatically when the take is full.
2) Street name signs run parallel to the street you are on.
3) At traffic lights & stop signs, when turning right - turn into the right lane of the road you are entering & when turning left - turn into the left lane of the road you are entering, then move over to the right [slower] lane when traffic allows.
4) School Buses: When their lights are flashing &/or the stop sign is extended you can not pass the bus, FROM EITHER DIRECTION, unless there is a median dividing the two directions of the roadway.
5) In reference to intersection where the lady in green is in the crosswalk, note that the road to the left, where you commented about there being a stop sign behind the DO NOT ENTER sign, that is a ONE WAY street, thus no left turn would be permitted. At (24:53), the very next intersection, look to the right & you'll see that this road is also a ONE WAY road, so no right turn would be permitted. Typically ONE WAY signs are much closer to the street corners.
6) Horns are used as a method of communication to get someone's attention.
7) Flashing YELLOW lights mean caution. Flashing RED lights, ANYWHERE, indicate that YOU MUST come to a FULL STOP, as if it were a STOP SIGN. They are often one either side of fire stations so traffic can be stopped to allow emergency vehicles to exit the fire stations. Typical RED-YELLOW-GREEN traffic lights might only be FLASHING RED, sometimes YELLOW, if the automated function is turned off or malfunctioning.
8) The vast majority of roads outside of urban areas have a solid white strip on the edges of road to indicate the edge & reflective markers on guardrails around curves.
9) POLICE & EMERGENCY VEHICLES: Move out of the way, by typically moving to the far right, & slow down or stop when seeing / hearing emergency vehicles or police cars approaching your vehicle from EITHER direction of a non-divided roadway. They may need to cross into oncoming traffic.
10) PARKING: Don't park in front of fire hydrants or handicapped access ramps. Don't park in marked handicapped parking spaces unless you have a state issued handicapped placard displayed.
11) CHILD SAFETY SEATS: Children under a certain age must be placed in SAFETY SEATS. There are rental companies that rent various styles of child safety seats. Check with your vehicle rental company to see if they offer them or can provide you contact information for one of the local companies that rent child safety seats.
12) Watch out for speed bumps. They can be quite significant.
17:38 So here, on the gantry for the exit information, you will see two arrows, but only one of them with the yellow background. That means THAT lane only is "exit only", but the other lane to it's left is optional exit. All lanes that are required to exit will have that yellow background banner on the bottom.
A friend recommended your channel as I'm going to Vegas/California in July and I'm so glad she did! I've learned so much and this video has been especially helpful. I'm hoping to drive out to Rachel NV while I'm there. I will make sure to see if your stickers are still at Area 51 😉👽 I'm tempted to see if I'll set of their alarms lol
Thank you for the reassuring words... Ive booked a very last minute trip to the states and never driven abroad before, so I'm terrified after watching so many videos about rules at junctions etc. This video has really helped put my mind at ease, thank you guys 😊
Can you do a driving in England video for us Americans scared to drive there??
Don’t go on 60mph country lanes in Cornwall 🫣🤣
Omg yes please
Yes!!! Please!!!
One thing I would mention is that the nozzle for diesel is slightly larger than for regular so if you try to put diesel into a regular car, the nozzle won't go in.
Also if parking on the side of the road you must park on the right… if you park on the left facing oncoming traffic you could well get a fine x
Thank you for a fantastic vlog explaining the driving in orlando. We are traveling to orlando in September. We land in Melbourne do they offer the visitors toll pass?
One thing to add, and this is maybe a bit more for highways with 3+ lanes, like some LA ones with 7-8 lanes each way. If its intimidating that cars are wizzing past on your left and right, speed up. My first experience as a Canadian turning onto i80 in NorCal was pretty overwhelming initially, but when I just kept up with traffic, a lot of that went away. So when you merge into an interstate, speed up to the same speed as traffic is going, even if its 5-15 mph over the speed limit.
Also, there are quite a few assholes on the road too, some may be road raging at someone else in the left lane and are whipping back and forth trying to get ahead of the camping left lane driver. This driving in the far right lane quickly, so always be wary of cars coming up quickly on both sides when changing lanes, even if you are driving with traffic. Exit lanes and the far right lanes are notorious for this on 4+ lane highways. And for god's sake if you are going to drive in the far left lane, don't be the slowest driver on the road, even if its a Carpool/HOV (2-3+ occupants).
In CA, motorcycles can lane split, they usually do this between the far left lane and 2nd most left. If you are in the far left lane stuck in traffic, pull a bit to the left to clear space, its a nice thing to do.
You may see dash cam video of some idiot crossing over 2 lanes to make an exit at the last second. You may think this is something you'll never see it'd be so rare, you'll see it guaranteed if you drive more than a week. Be alert ahead for people looking to move over quickly, if they seem frustrated they can't turn, they won't necessarily wait for the next exit.
Great video! I’ve driven countless times but a reminder is always welcome! I’m going to Miami in 31 days - unfortunately Virgin now uses Hertz for car rentals… a transponder is $140!!! What happens if you want to fill your vehicle with fuel rather than a set amount of money btw?
States determine traffic laws in the US, not the Federal Government (except on Federal property) and laws vary from state to state. For example, eight states allow passengers in a car to have open alcohol containers. There is no requirement in most states that sealed alcohol containers must be stored in the trunk. You should have started out by explaining that the US is a federal republic with Sovreign states with their own laws.
If you can't tell if your lane will become an exit lane, you're not paying attention to the signage and road markets. Also, the left lane is considered the fast lane.
For as short and narrow as the streets and highways are over in Europe, i homestly don't understand why y'all have not adopted Fully Automatic Transmission vehicles over there. With as much shifting you would have to do there, you'd think enough people would say, "What the Hell are we doing?" and push for more Automatics in vehicles. The technology has been available for about 70 years now. And the technology level now is so good that they've even started putting them in big 18-wheeler rigs. At least i think so. I could be wrong on that. But seriously...the cost difference between an automatic and manuel is typically only a few Grand. Like 2 to 3K difference at most. In fact, people who still drive manuels and they're not that good at it here, they tend to piss off the people behind them. Automatic transmissions are so much easier to operate. You just press the accelator to go...Press the brake to stop. That's it. Easy peezy.
My first trip driving to USA is only a few days away.
Thanks to this video my slight anxiety has has now become about the fun of learning a new & slightly different way of doing something familiar . This is one of the Joys of travel for me !
Thanks to You both for this!
how was it
Brilliant video guys extremely helpful.
Hi guys. First time driver in the US in May. I'm renting a car from Orlando Airport, but dropping it off at Gulfport Airport MS. Can I still use the Visitor Toll Pass shown in your excellent video if I'm just renting the car one way? Or will I need to take cash for the tolls? Anxious.
not sure of your destination had visitor toll pass but if you don't return it you'll just be charged a small fee
Hey guys were you driving through Celebration Town in Orlando?
11:40 Rental car with a cracked windshield. 😳🤔🤔🤔🤔
18:37 The clue, like in the UK, is the short broken line.
Can you do similar but in France 🫶🏻
I have a question. Firstly, thanks for the vlog.
It'll be my first time using a hire car in Florida. I've downloaded the toll App (thanks for the info). The rental company I'm using is Alamo, and I'm confused about what extras they'll be wanting to charge and the checking in you mentioned beforehand so they don't ask question and hard sell.....
Do you have any advice for a newbie. I dont want to be paying no excess for any bumps, etc. So, I would like to know what I need to be asking for without getting ripped off.😂😂
31:44 Waze is your friend, here.
Never heard the term "cat's eye". I guess it means a reflective lane marker. They're not found in the Snow Belt because the snow plows would just rip them all up. They are a lot more common in the Sun Belt (ie, the Southern US).
👍
Not if the Cats eye was made in the UK it wouldn’t. They’re totally different from the road studs used in the USA.
Been driving in Florida for years and wish I’d had something like this before I started! Even now things catch me out as had never come across the flashing amber lights and waited at the junction of Griffin/World drive for over 5mins before we just went for it! 😂 Just signed up for Toll pass for our trip in September never signed up before as it looked complicated so thank you!!
That just means proceed with caution
Used to always get caught out on griffin rd too . We been Florida for over 30 years and have been driving since. Scary at first but take it in stride now .
we don't have turn right on red in Europe because our roads are so much narrower/less visibility. The Dutch did a lot of studies and found it seriously increased the risk to pedestrians and bicycles because people tended to make the right turn with 'right of way' and therefore not paying proper attention to hazards on their RIGHT -- they're too busy looking left!
Grt video and perfect timing. 👍😊 I didn't quite catch the best Toll App to use. Can Nick, Leigh or someone on here please confirm. Many thanks 😊
At stop signs it is not always whomever gets there first. If two cars going crosswise to each other stop at their respective stop signs about the same time then the car who has the other car to their left must wait.
Just watched this video again as we are renting a car for Orlando next year!!!! First time for owen ever driving in orlando. i think I'll give it a go as well.. great tips guys i wrote them all down
If you need anymore help just drop Nick a message 👍
@TheLodgeGuys ya I'll send him what we went with
Very good vlog, especially the toll bit
Thanks 👍
Great video fellas 👍
Thanks 👍
One note on terminology here. In America, we NEVER say "We hired a car." How do you hire an inanimate object? You hire People. You RENT objects. So we say "We rented a car." But on the other hand, if you want a designated Chaufeur, like for a Limo, then that's when you would say you hired a chauffeur.
16:40 There is a warning though… On the sign above the freeway (motorway) there’s an arrow/s pointing right for exiting off the freeway, if there’s yellow writing underneath it (usually saying “EXIT ONLY”) that means that the lane for exiting right under the arrow is a right turn ONLY lane and there would be no way to stay on the freeway once you pass the exit
Very informative vlog.
All I can say to my fellow Brits is that diving in Florida is generally easy, but be aware that that they don't use their indicators (signals) very much and they weave across all the lanes available to them. Have your wits about you and watch BOTH wing mirrors.
Take extra care turning right on red to ensure that the lane you are turning into is clear from the left AND that no one is doing a u-turn from your right.
If your budget allows, consider an airport hotel after you arrival to ensure that you are fresh for your onward journey.
Great video guys .
We been travelling to Florida from uk for almost 30 years and my hubby just lives the driving there . Locals complain about the I4 highway but we ok with it , but we do travel in September so I th8nk it’s less busy then . We’ve realise over the years that if you com doff at the wrong junction , you can easily get back on again as long as you know if you travelling east or west I4 , which is our north and south really .
Got caught out at a toll rd that was not manned and didn’t have enough money once, and just little envelopes in the slot , we panicked and put money in and posted it all off. We got that panicked , that we actually took photos of our envelope 🤣🤣 we never heard from anyone .
We did also smack into the back of someone on the I4 whilst in a crawling traffic jam , but it was because he stopped very suddenly . , fire engines , police arrived exeternely quickly , but they where all extremely helpful and made us feel at ease. No one was hurt and no charges made as was really only a bump . Thank god .
You forgot to mention driving the wrong way signs 🤣 which are very helpful too , tho often when too late 🤣🤣
when i was in Berlin we walked across the road & police stopped us for J-walking 😮😮 thankfully just had a word. Great vlog, we always drive when in Orlando, well the Royal we 😁 mainly my partner.
21:17 And most school buses have cameras in the front and back to catch those who break that law, and they will report you to the police. So, DON'T DO IT.
Thanx for sharing this, very, very important information for both drivers and pedestrians....valuable to all visitors.
I’m looking at going to Florida in a few months for a week? Who would u recommend for car rental for the week? My cheapest quote so far is 300
FYI, For a busy 4-way stop when it cannot be easily determined who arrived before who or if two cars arrive at the same moment, then the law says "At a four-way stop intersection, the driver of the first vehicle to stop at the intersection shall be the first to proceed. If two or more vehicles reach the four-way stop intersection at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right"
Thankyou so much for this informative video, i have visited the usa once recently and looking at driving next time i go and was alittle overwhelmed at the thought. How you explained it made it really simple and makes me think i could do it and am excited to do so x
Fantastic video guys. Really informative. I'll be travelling to the US in 3 weeks and the driving is the one thing that terrifies me
I love driving in Florida x I think tight right wide left x I’m doing a Orlando 7 days then 7 day cruise is there somewhere to park where u get onto the cruise ? Or who u just get a taxi from Orlando to fort laudale ?
Remember: in the US, we also have yellow, blue, and red fuel pump handles as well at large stations. They’re all different types of fuel.
Jess is the driver in our family so she was a bit worried to drive, on wrong side of road but I think it was the tolls, filling car, & like you said missing a junction, as you don't know how far you have to go down road before turn off , it's very worrying 1st time
As an American, the only place I’ve ever driven is America, but this is still interesting, because it points out what is different in the UK, sometimes in ways I was not aware of.
Be aware of the Florida Move Over Law. This requires you to move over a lane when you can safely do so for stopped emergency/utility vehicles.
Great Video, driving for the 1st time in July, been 4 times but 1st time felt brave enough to try, your video has helped diminish those fears 👍
In Florida the pedestrian "Go" light is usually a white walking person symbol and the "Wait" light is a red or orange raised hand
Great help we went in October and I didn’t dare drive used Ubers everywhere instead. Next time I’ll try after watching this
What a great video! I have a Facebook group for hiring cars in Florida. I’ll be sharing on it and other Florida groups. 👍
Thanks for taking one for the team Kev and Stacy , what’s the deal with the cups lol 😂❤
Thanks guys. A really useful video and a confidence booster for those who are unsure.
Even though I can’t drive lol this was a really interesting and informative vlog 🤗
Just watched the 1st season of happy valley. Wow what a programme.
14:39 Basically the rule is kerb to kerb from a one-way street to another.
Such a brilliant video, so reassuring and informative xx
Very informative - brilliant video . Thanks
I live in the US and this was fun to hear about the differences.
Very informative, thanks boys. Xxx
Never will Guys Be Driving Over There 👋.
Excellent informative video
Great advice guys 😊
That turning right on a red light confused us when in florida, we wasn't even driving, I nearly got run over as I thought it was OK to walk across road when light was on red 🙈 few times I got beeped at cos they were turning right on a red when I was crossing road, many of times I could of killed bysrlf 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙄
As a pedestrian, you do have the right away. The person driving and turning on red should have waited for you.
Flashing red lights are basically like a stop sign. Come to a stop and look all ways and first at light gets to go first. Flashing amber lights mean drive through with caution but typically people don’t slow down at those 😂.
I thought this was a bit misleading saying you can drive through flashing red lights. Don't you have to stop first? th-cam.com/video/__9jiSzxXbU/w-d-xo.html Flashing amber you can drive through.
All traffic Both directions must stop for school buses when their stop sign is displayed . Traffic behind and traffic approaching the bus.
Unless there is a median between.
Brilliant video
I don’t drive but this was so interesting. Nick and Leigh you are both fantastic teachers 🙌🏻
Glad you enjoyed it!
So glad u did this vlog. Some really good tips! 👍
Glad it was helpful!
No more America/Disney please
📴
Loved this video, are there situations where you can't turn right when the traffic lights are red?
yes if a sign says you can't
@@TheLodgeGuysNot all states allow a turn right on red… heaven knows how you find that out while you’re driving though!!!