Florida Motorcycle Handbook 2009

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Introduction

• Intro
• Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP)
• Laws
• Helmet and Eye Protection Requirements

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Emergency Contact Information

In an emergency situation could law enforcement personnel contact someone for you?

They could if you had entered your information onto the emergency contact information system. The system allows Floridians to voluntarily provide emergency contact information online, giving law enforcement immediate access to this information and making it easier for them to speak with someone quicker in case of emergency.

If you have a Florida driver license or identification card, you can go online at http://www.flhsmv.gov and enter your emergency contact information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was this system developed?
Christine Olson's daughter Tiffany was fatally injured in a traffic accident in 2005. There was no emergency contact system in place and several hours passed before Ms. Olson was notified of her daughter's passing. Wanting to help others avoid this experience, Ms. Olson approached her Legislator, Representative Bill Galvano, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The result is an emergency contact information system.

Who will have access to my information?
Only law enforcement personnel will have access to your emergency contact information.

Where is this information stored?
The information is stored in the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (D.A.V.I.D) system which is a secured database used by most law enforcement agencies in the state of Florida.

Will my contact information be used for any other purpose?
No, this information will only be used by law enforcement officers to notify designated contacts if a motorist is seriously injured or killed in a traffic crash.

Where do I enter my information?
You can go online and enter your information at http://www.flhsmv.gov or whenever conducting any business at a driver license office. There are also links to this site if you are conducting business with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles online such as renewing your driver license, changing the address on your license or renewing your vehicle license plate.

Move Over Law

Did you know that during the five-year period of 1996-2000, motorists in Florida crashed into working law enforcement vehicles that were stopped/parked along Florida roadways 1,793 times, resulting in five deaths and 419 injuries?

On July 1, 2002, the Move Over Law was passed to protect law enforcement and other authorized emergency workers. This law requires drivers to "move over" or "slow down" when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle that is stopped on a highway in Florida.

There are several important provisions concerning this law. On interstate highways or other highways with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers approaching a law enforcement of other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a roadside with their emergency lights activated are required to vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, as soon as it is safe to do so.

When approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency vehicle parked on a two-lane roadside with their emergency lights activated, and except when otherwise directed by an enforcement officer, drivers are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater; or travel at five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.

FLORIDA RIDER TRAINING PROGRAM

(FRTP)

All persons requesting a motorcycle endorsement are required to complete a basic motorcycle safety education course prior to being issued a motorcycle endorsement or "Motorcycle Only" License. A list of course sponsors can be found at the end of this handbook.

Rider course providers (Sponsors) offer the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) sponsored Basic RiderCourse (BRC) and Experienced Rider Course Suites (ERC). The BRC provides the basic entry-level skills for new riders to begin practicing and developing the mental and motor skills important for safe street operation. The BRC has approximately five-hours of classroom instruction and 10-hours of on-cycle instruction. Both sessions are facilitated by experienced motorcyclists trained as Rider Coaches by the FRTP to assist your learning. To enroll in the BRC, a person must possess at least a valid Learners License in order to have knowledge of Florida Traffic laws and road rules; however, the actual motorcycle endorsement may not be obtained with a regular operator (Class E) license until age 16 per s. 322.05(1) F.S. The person must also be able to have sufficient balance or capability to operate a bicycle.

Sponsors provide motorcycles less than 500cc for the BRC, usually 125cc to 250cc, helmets, and course handbooks for the BRC. Students must provide gloves, full hand coverage, shatterproof eye protection, unless the helmet has a face shield, long pants, long sleeve shirt or jacket, over the ankle shoes or boots and rain gear for light rain - non dangerous conditions. A call or email to the Sponsor of your choice can clarify many issues regarding equipment, fees, method of payment and scheduling. Many sponsors allow sign-up and payment via a website. Refer to the FRTP web site at http://www.motorcycles.hsmv.state.fl.us and click on the "course locations" heading for sponsor locations by county.

THE ERC SUITE COURSES are for those already endorsed for riding skill enhancement with course completion cards issued for insurance reduction or other purposes.

NOTE: All ERC Suite courses require the participant to furnish their own street legal motorcycle with valid tag and registration and proof of liability insurance coverage, or one borrowed with proof of permission. The participant must also furnish a helmet, shatterproof eye protection and similar protective riding gear as outlined for the BRC. See FRTP website above for sponsor locations or call the FRTP 850-488-3286 for an automated guided listing.

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