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City Guide - Miami - Road | ||
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Road Americans drive on the right-hand side of the road and pass on the left. Right turns at a red light are permitted (unless otherwise marked) but only after stopping. Speed limits range from 24kph to 72kph (15-45mph) in the city and 88kph (55mph) on most expressways. Speeding fines are hefty. There are also tough penalties for drink driving. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.08%. All passengers must wear seat belts and children under five must be fastened into a child safety seat. All drivers must be over 16 years and are required to hold a current driving licence. The State of Florida recognises valid driver's licences from the USA and other countries, as well as International Driving Permits. The road system is straightforward, consisting of interstate expressways, toll-paying motorways, primary state highways and other state roads, each identified by a number. The American Automobile Association (AAA; tel: (800) 222 1333) can provide information, and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries. Emergency breakdown service: AAA (800) AAA HELP (222 4357) Routes to the city: The I-95 is the major north-south expressway providing access into Miami from Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It runs through downtown Miami and into the US-1 (also called South Dixie Highway), which continues south to Key West. Another toll-paying expressway, the Florida Turnpike, heads southwards from Orlando and central Florida to the Golden Glades Interchange in the northern part of Miami. The major east-west expressway to downtown Miami is State Road 836 (Dolphin Expressway) connecting Florida's Turnpike in the west with the I-95 and Miami Beach (via the I-395) in the east. Approximate driving times to Miami: from Fort Lauderdale - 1 hour; Palm Beach - 2 hours; Key West - 3 hours 30 minutes; Orlando - 5 hours. Coach services: Greyhound (web site: www.greyhound.com) operates three coach stations in Miami at 4111 Northwest 27th Street (tel: (305) 871 1810), near the airport; at 700 Biscayne Boulevard (tel: (305) 379 7403), near Bayside; and at 16560 Northeast Sixth Avenue (tel: (305) 945 0801), in North Miami. Facilities at these terminals are basic to non-existent. Greyhound operates direct links to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Key West, as well as further-flung destinations, such as New Orleans, Washington, DC and New York. |