Driver license the official handbook

8  
©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Road Rage
Road rage is violent or visibly angry 
behavior by a driver which can 
result in crashes or other incidents 
on roadways. Signs of road rage 
include:
  • sudden acceleration or braking,
  • following too closely,
  • cutting off other drivers, 
  • preventing other vehicles from 
merging into your lane,
  • excessively hitting the horn or 
flashing headlights,
  • shouting obscenities or threats,
  • making obscene hand gestures,
  • intentionally causing a crash, 
  • getting out of a vehicle in an 
attempt to start a confrontation,
  • using a weapon or threatening 
to use a weapon,
  • throwing objects from the 
vehicle. 
If another driver is threatening you 
or intentionally driving dangerously 
around you, remain calm and try to 
put as much distance between you 
and them as possible. Slow down 
and let them pass.† Do not make 
eye contact; do not make obscene 
gestures. If you need help, call *FHP 
(*347) or 911.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is extremely 
risky behavior that puts not only 
you and your passengers in danger, 
but also pedestrians and bicyclists 
sharing the road. Focused attention 
on driving helps to prevent crashes. 
In 2014, nearly 3000 crashes were 
caused by teen drivers who were not 
paying attention. 
(Source: DHSMV.) 
There are three main categories of 
driver distraction: 
CATEGORIES OF DISTRACTION
Visual
taking your eyes off the road
Manual
taking your hands off the 
steering wheel
Cognitive thinking about anything 
other than driving
Texting requires all three types of 
distraction, making it one of the 
most dangerous of distracted driving 
behaviors.** However, this is not 
the only cause of distracted driving. 
Other common distractions include:
  • talking on a cell phone; 
  • watching an object, person, or 
event outside of the vehicle; 
  • reaching for an object; 
  • interacting with passengers;
  • eating or drinking;
  • unsecured pets;
  • grooming;
  • adjusting radio or climate 
controls; 
  • lighting a cigarette; 
  • daydreaming. 
**It is illegal in Florida to operate 
a motor vehicle while texting.
 
In 2014, there were over 1600 citations 
issued in Florida for texting and driving. 
(Source: DHSMV.) 
†
Florida Law states that a driver must move out of the left lane when being 
overtaken from behind by another vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed.

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The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
9  
.......................................................................................... PREPARING TO DRIVE: YOU—THE DRIVER
Drinking & Driving
If you drink alcohol—even just one 
drink—your chances of being in a 
crash are much greater than if you 
did not drink any alcohol. No one 
can drink alcohol and drive safely, 
even if you have been driving for 
many years.
Because drinking alcohol and 
driving is so dangerous, the 
penalties are very tough. People 
who drive after drinking risk heavy 
fines, higher insurance rates, loss of 
license, and even jail sentences. A 
DUI conviction will remain on your 
driving record for 75 years.
Drinking & Driving is Dangerous
Alcohol reduces all of the important 
skills necessary to drive safely, such 
as judgment, reaction, vision, and 
concentration. Alcohol is absorbed 
into the lining of the stomach 
and then passes directly into the 
bloodstream and reaches your brain 
within minutes after consumption. 
A person’s judgment is the first 
thing affected after drinking an 
alcoholic beverage.
 
Even one drink of alcohol can affect 
your driving. Alcohol slows your 
reflexes and reaction time, reduces 
your ability to see clearly, and 
makes you less alert. You will have 
trouble judging distance, speed, and 
movement of other vehicles. You 
will also have trouble controlling 
your vehicle. 
Do Not Drink and Drive! 
  • Before drinking, designate a 
sober driver.
  • If you are the designated driver, 
do not drink. One drink is one 
too many.  
  • If you are impaired—and did 
not designate a driver—take a 
taxi, call a sober family member, 
or use public transportation to 
get home safely.
  • Remember, friends don’t let 
friends drive drunk. If you know 
someone who is about to drive 
impaired, take their keys and 
help them get a safe ride home. 
Other Drugs and Driving
Besides alcohol, there are many 
other drugs both legal and illegal—
prescription, over-the-counter, 
controlled substance, marijuana—
that can affect a person’s ability to 
drive safely. 
These drugs can have effects like 
those of alcohol, or even worse. 
Some drugs taken for headaches, 
colds, and allergies can make you 
too drowsy to drive. Energy pills 
and diet pills can make you dizzy, 
unable to concentrate, and affect 
your vision. Other prescription 
drugs can impair your reflexes, 
judgment, vision, and alertness in 
ways similar to alcohol.
Be sure to ask your doctor or 
pharmacist about the effects your 
prescription may have on driving. 
Read the labels on over-the-counter 

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