South Florida’s Unique Winter Roads

Sliding on ice, heavy snow, shoveling your driveway and salted roads, ah, what a winter wonderland. While we may not get a white Christmas, most Floridians are happy not to drive in those winter conditions. But we do have to deal with some unique winter road conditions.

Watch out for gators and tiny deer!

>No, not the Florida Gators, but actual alligators. Yep, we may not have to worry about bison or other large animals that live up north, we do have to keep our eye out for gators in our backyards, pools and even crossing the road to get from one wetland area to another. Some people even look twice before going over speed bumps.

And if you head down to Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys, the speed limit is reduced in an effort to curb accidents caused by the tiny native deer species, Key deer.

Return of the Snow Birds

In the winter, Florida is a part-time residence for snowbirds, or people who annually take refuge from the winter months on the beach.  The influx of snowbirds mean the streets get a little more congested with people who don’t necessarily know where they are going. Woosah. Haven’t they heard of Uber?

Different Type of Salt

While northerners salt their roads, south Floridians salt their margaritas. Fortunately, cars in Florida avoid all of the corrosion and other damage caused by salted roads. Though cars located near the ocean are exposed to salt from the ocean, and to some of your car’s exterior parts, it can be almost as damaging as the salt used on northern roads.

Use Caution When Driving

We might not have icy or snowy roads, but Florida still ranks high for the number of traffic-related fatalities per 100,000 people. In 2015, Florida tied with West Virginia and Tennessee with an average of 14.5 deaths per 100,000 people.

“Ouch! I burned my hand!”

Even when it is mid-December temperatures in South Florida are still frequently in the upper 80s, which is hot enough to burn your hands on the steering wheel or leather seats.

But, don’t worry, we’re still thankful to be living in paradise. Happy holidays!