Tampa, Florida is one of the most famous cities in the southern region of the United States. It’s known for beautiful beaches and outstanding outdoor activities. Those who live in Tampa get to take advantage of great fishing and watersports throughout the year. And while Tampa has a reputation for outdoor fun and tourism, the city also has a thriving local economy and plenty of professional sports teams. If you drive in the city, it’s important that you have auto insurance to cover you if something goes wrong.

Our website is here to help you find the best possible auto insurance in the Tampa, Florida region. We also provide you with additional information on how to drive safely in the city – we want to help you save money in the future. Check out all our information on Tampa, Florida below!

Tampa: Driving Conditions in the City

The United States is a large country – each region poses different risks and challenges for drivers. If you drive in different areas of the country, it’s very important that you’re aware of the unique conditions present in each city. Tampa is located in one of the warmest regions in the country. While it has snowed in Tampa, this only happens every few decades. The primary risk that local drivers face is heavy storms and rain – make sure that you keep an eye on the weather report and always stay wary of warnings from local authorities.

In addition, Tampa is a big city, so you will face plenty of traffic issues – this is especially true during peak hours. Make sure to stay vigilant when traffic is bad.

Driving Safety Laws in Tampa, Florida

Those driving in Tampa are subject to state driving laws issued by Florida. There are also separate local regulations that dictate legal driving laws in the city of Tampa. If you’re new to the area, it’s important to know these laws – they differ in every state. Being aware of local driving laws is a great way to stay safe and avoid a ticket.

In addition, auto insurance companies in Tampa, Florida sometimes look at your driving record to determine your premiums. If you want to reduce the chances that your insurance is expensive, obeying these rules is a good starting point.

Phone/Handheld Laws in Tampa

If you’re driving anywhere in Florida, you are not allowed to text on the phone while you are operating the vehicle. At present, you can speak on the phone while driving, but this is extremely dangerous. Distracted driving has proven fatal in many instances on roads throughout the country, so be careful to avoid using your phone while you drive.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Tampa

Seatbelt and car seat laws in Tampa depend on the age of the driver and passengers. If you are a driver and passenger under the age of 18, you must wear a seatbelt at all times if you are in a vehicle. If you are over the age of 18, you are not required to wear a seatbelt, though this is extremely ill advised.

In terms of car seats, those under the age of five must be restrained in a separate carrier while driving in the car. For those under the age of three, this separate carrier must be a car seat.

Helmet Laws in Tampa

Individuals who operate motorcycles in Tampa, Florida must abide by state laws when it comes to helmets. The state of Florida dictates that individuals under the age of 21 must wear a helmet at all times if they are driving their motorcycle in Florida. Those over the age of 21 do not need to wear a helmet, but they do need to have $10,000 of medical coverage. Not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is extremely dangerous – don’t put yourself at risk for no reason.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

As with all of the United States, driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs is illegal in Tampa, Florida. The penalties for driving while under the influence differ depending on your age and how impaired you are. If you are over the age of 21, a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is considered a DUI. If it is your first offence, you can receive a $1,000 fine, 50 hours of community service, a year license suspension, a year of probation, and various other penalties. Your insurance will go up after a DUI and we do offer SR22 quotes for this type of insurance.

If you have a BAC of over .15, the punishment can be much worse. You may face a fine of $2,000, up to nine months in jails, a year of license suspension, a year of probation, and more.

For those who are under 21, a BAC of between .02 and .08 is also considered a DUI.

Tampa Statistics

Driving in Tampa can be dangerous – if you want a true picture of the risks you face, it’s important to consider the statistics. In 2017, there were 401,245 total accidents in the state of Florida. Over 166,000 of these resulted in an injury to someone involved in the crash. In addition, there were over 3,000 fatalities on the road in Florida in 2017. As you can see, it’s important to be vigilant if you are on the roads in Tampa or other surrounding regions.

Verdict

If you want to ensure you’re safe on the roads in Tampa, make sure to consider all of the information mentioned on this page. As mentioned previously, having a clean driving record is one of the best ways to ensure that you get cheap auto insurance in Florida as plenty of insurance companies reward great drivers. If you’re looking for a quote for auto insurance in Tampa, make sure to look at some of the insurance companies that we suggest.

For those who think they will be driving in other cities or areas of the country, we have plenty of dedicated pages that can help you find out more about those areas. Make sure to check them out on our site!