TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol urges motorist to be cautious as the first tropical storm of the hurricane season moves through Florida. Motorists are advised to closely monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Andrea and follow instructions from emergency management officials.
The Florida Highway Patrol urges drivers to follow safety tips that can save lives:
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For real-time traffic and road condition reports, as well as maps and additional safety tips, FHP encourages motorists to visit www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/. Florida drivers also can call 511 on their cell phone or visit http://fl511.com/ for up-to-the-minute updates on traffic congestion, road construction, lane closures, severe weather and travel delays on interstates and major highways.
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For more information and updates on Tropical Storm Andrea, visit: http://www.floridadisaster.org/DEMpublic.asp
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Stay put. – Avoid driving in heavy storms, and stay in a safe place after the storm. Be prepared to remain where you are for an extended period. Often, injuries and deaths occur in the aftermath of storms. Sightseers impeding roadways cause obstacles for emergency personnel responding to those in need.
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Slow down. – Roadways remain slick after storm so if you have to drive, decrease your speed to avoid hydroplaning.
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Be cautious of high winds. – Windy conditions adversely affect all vehicles, particularly high profile vehicles, such as buses and trucks, as well as motorcycles. Gusty wind makes driving difficult, especially when it is rapidly changing speed and direction.
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Pay attention. – You may come up on an intersection that is no longer controlled by a traffic control device. If a law enforcement officer is directing traffic, follow his directions. Otherwise, treat the intersection as you would treat an intersection governed by a four-way Stop sign.
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Flooding Safety. –Never drive into moving water. If you cannot see the roadway beneath the water, do not drive through it! The water may be deeper than it appears and the road may already be washed away.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit www.flhsmv.gov or follow us on Twitter @FDHSMV. You can find us on Facebook, too.