When you ride a motorcycle in Ocala, Florida, you have a great opportunity to enjoy some of the best weather in the US for riding. Also, with over 640,000 motorcycles in the state of Florida, you can imagine that many enjoy the wind and sun on their face. However, there are some Ocala motorcycle accident laws that you should know about to protect yourself from potential accidents.
Below are 7 Florida motorcycle laws to know about to prevent an accident in Ocala.
1. Motorcycle Endorsements are Required for Riding
You being licensed to drive a car does not include motorcycles. To operate a motorcycle in the state of Florida, a motorcycle endorsement must be obtained. So, if you plan to operate any vehicle with two wheels and an engine that is more than 50 cc, then an endorsement will be required to operate a motorcycle safely.
2. The Helmet Law
In Florida, all riders above the age of 21 have the option of wearing a helmet or not while operating a motorcycle. However, the law states that a rider under the age of 21 is required to wear a helmet. You must understand that if an accident occurs, the extent of your injuries could depend on whether you wear a helmet or not. Plus, when you choose not to use a helmet, you must carry a minimum of $10,000 in medical coverage.
3. All Motorcycle Riders Must Wear Eye Protection
Although the helmet law is optional for adult riders, the use of eye protection must be used while in operation by all riders. Eye protection can be any type of goggles or glasses, and it is to ensure the safety of all motorcycle riders.
4. Florida Does Not Permit Lane Splitting
When a motorcycle is riding in a lane, it is prohibited to encroach upon a lane that is already occupied by a vehicle. When this occurs, it is called “lane splitting.” The law is written to allow a motorcycle to have full use of the lane but not the ability to share the lane with other vehicles. Also, motorcycles are prohibited from passing other vehicles that are occupying a traffic lane.
5. Only Two Riders Abreast
Although lane splitting is illegal, it does not apply to two motorcycle riders sharing a lane together. This is because a lane is only wide enough to handle two riders without worrying about an accident.
6. Earphones are Illegal
Under Florida law, all motorcycle riders cannot wear earphones or any device that prevents them from hearing their surroundings. There is an exception to this, and that involves a helmet that has a headset built into it. These will usually be Bluetooth based, so they are considered legal.
7. Daytime Headlights are Required
All motorcycle riders are required to utilize daytime headlights for visibility purposes no matter the time, day or night.
Contact an Attorney Following your Motorcycle Accident
If you did all that you could to prevent your motorcycle accident but still experienced one, you need to consult an attorney to help you stay protected as a motorcyclist.
