The beautiful ocean views and the great temperatures year-round all make the state of Florida a wonderful place for motorcyclists to thoroughly enjoy the ride. People from all over the United States come to Florida for vacation or as their winter home. Every state has its own approach to laws and regulations when it comes to motorcycles and their riders, including Florida. In this week’s blog, we will be going over the laws that Florida has for the proper gear, motorcycle regulations, and rules of the road for motorcyclists.

Wearing The Right Gear

All across the United States, there are certain requirements for motorcyclists in regard to which gear must be worn and what is prohibited. While every state has its own laws, each state’s individual laws need to be followed regardless of which state a motorcyclist is from. The laws pertaining to the proper gear for riders in Florida include:  

• Helmets- Helmet laws vary from state to state. All motorcyclists under the age of 21 in Florida are required to wear a helmet with either a face shield or separate eye protection. The only way a rider 21 and over is able to ride without a helmet, is if they have an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries that can be sustained in an accident.
• Eye Protection- All motorcyclists are required to wear protective eye equipment regardless of age. An individual may not operate a motorcycle without eye protection that is approved by the Florida Department of Transportation.
• Headsets- Listening devices that are not part of a rider’s helmet other than hearing aids are prohibited in Florida. These listening devices include headsets, earbuds, or headphones of any kind.

Wearing the proper type of gear is extremely important to the safety of motorcyclists and their passengers. Other types of gear that are recommended for riders to wear include proper footwear, pants, and a jacket that help protect the feet, legs, and arms of the rider in the event of an accident. Rider equipment isn’t the only thing that Florida has requirements for, though. There are other laws regarding motorcycle equipment, too.

Is My Motorcycle Legal To Ride In Florida?

Now that you know what kinds of riding gear are required or prohibited, it’s time to make sure that your bike is street legal. Certain types of lighting including a headlight, taillight, turn signals, and rear reflectors are all required on a motorcycle in Florida. Any violation of the laws requiring these types of lighting could result in hefty fines for the rider.

 Other requirements for motorcycles include a horn, brakes on all wheels, and mirrors. These are all important to the safety of the rider and others around them. Horns are used to alert other drivers of the motorcycle’s presence on the road, and mirrors allow riders to see any traffic behind them. Any motorcycle registered to an operator under the age of 21 must have a license plate that is unique in design and color.

Safety is the responsibility of everyone on the road, including motorcyclists and passengers. Laws are put in place in order to help people stay safe, and violation of these laws can result in a deadly crash. With the help of a Florida motorcycle accident attorney, you will be able to determine if your accident was a direct result of a law violation. Rules of the road are another important factor to safe motorcycle riding.

Following The Rules Of Florida’s Roads

Motorcycles have pretty much the same rules of the road that drivers of passenger vehicles must follow. However, there are other laws that only apply to motorcycle riders. Some of these laws include but are not limited to:

• Running Red Lights- Some red lights may not detect the presence of a motorcycle because they are much smaller than a passenger car. Running a red light is illegal in Florida, even though your motorcycle may not be detected.
• Lane Splitting- This occurs when a motorcycle literally splits the lane they are in while attempting to pass a vehicle. Lane splitting is prohibited in Florida and can cause a serious wreck. Motorcyclists are required to drive in the opposite lane when passing a vehicle.
• Riding Two Abreast- Motorcycles are permitted to ride two abreast in the same lane, but no more than that.
• Carrying Objects- Both hands must be on the handlebars of a motorcycle at all times while riding. Carrying an object such as a bag or something that takes one hand off the handlebars is illegal and an easy way to cause an accident.
• Stunting- Stunts can only be performed in places like a track or other venue that allows stunts to be done. Doing stunts while on the roads of Florida is not only against the law but also extremely dangerous to the rider and other drivers on the road. Both wheels of the motorcycle must remain on the road at all times and the rider is required to sit forward while riding.
• Riding Between Lanes- Motorcyclists may not ride in between lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows or lines of vehicles on the road.

The above laws and others that apply to motorcyclists and more need to be followed by all motorcycle operators in Florida, regardless of what state they are from. Catastrophic motorcycle accidents are caused by those who are careless by not obeying the laws.

Talking With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney In Florida

At Sheftall Law, our motorcycle accident attorneys understand how stressful and scary it is to be involved in a motorcycle accident. These accidents are serious and can be deadly. With decades of combined experience, we have the legal knowledge necessary to take care of your needs and rights in these trying times and we will stand by your side until you receive the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Florida, please contact a motorcycle accident attorney at Sheftall Law at (904) 569-6025 today to explore the legal options that are available to you.