A Driving Tip to Save You From Yourself

When you're visiting Florida, cruising around in your rental car or private vehicle visiting our beautiful beaches there are things to watch out for. I can't say that they are all Florida or even Tampa specific  but that's where I live and that's where I see them. One recent quirk is in the timing of the traffic lights. The light cycle, left turn arrow first, one direction first, etc. changes depending on the day of the week and time of day. Just when you're used to making your left turn first at the intersection, the turn arrow stays red. Don't panic, wait for the light to cycle through. If you're still sitting there through a couple of light changes, check to be sure you're sitting at the big white line painted on the street, or not sitting in front of it. That line is the spot that the sensors look for to determine whether to change the light; either pull up to the line or back up, carefully. 

If you're driving on any Florida toll roads or thinking about it, remember that many are now all electronic. Skip the rental car transponders.

You're better off with a Tolltraxx transponder. A one-time $7.50 service fee ($3 of which is refundable) and a $.50 fee per toll. Use it a lot, use it a little, don't use it at all. No daily fees, ever.