Florida Drivers Have One Of The Lowest Rates For Speeding Tickets

This was not a story on Florida drivers I expected to be writing. I expected us to be high on the list for speeding tickets, certainly not near the bottom. But the data is here, showing that there's a lot less Florida drivers with speeding tickets than you'd think.

Listen, driving in Florida can be quite adventurous, I know. Last year I remember dropping a friend off at the airport in Fort Myers. It was the morning of a holiday, so there was no work or school and there wasn't a lot of traffic. I took the on ramp from Corkscrew Road to 75 North and did what I always do - match the speed of traffic and merge. No lie, it was 100 mph. And at 100 mph, there were still cars going around me.

I'm not telling Central Florida residents anything new. Ya'll got I4, which some say is the most dangerous road in the country. We move fast in Florida.

And I'll admit, I do drive a bit over the speed limit, but I usually keep it under 80 on I75. It feels totally normal - until you visit another state. When I go to Ohio I feel like Ricky Bobby on Talladega Nights. I was back in Columbus last January weaving around traffic like they were standing still. How fast was I driving? 5 mph over the limit. F-I-V-E. Ohio drivers don't just obey the speed limit, they drive under the limit. This is how I feel like when I get to where I'm going in Ohio:

The team at MarketWatch Guides has analyzed data across the country to reveal the states which receive the most and least speeding tickets. We'll start off with this mind boggling stat: Almost 15% of Ohio drivers have received a speeding ticket. Maybe that's why they drive so slow, they already have points on their license and they're not looking for more. So now we know the upper end is 15%, let's see how Florida fares.

People drive fast here in Florida and I'm wondering how this number can be so low, but then I look back to last weekend when Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was detained over allegations of careless driving and failure to wear a seat belt. 'Careless driving', and not speeding. On his ticket it reads "High rate of speed visual estimation 60 MPH." So they say Tyreek was speeding, but maybe in Florida we are getting tickets that aren't actually speeding tickets, but essentially mean the same.

We're out of season right now, and yes, there's less traffic. But the snowbirds and tourists will be back before you know it. And they usually drive slower as they aren't sure where they're going. Watch your speed, there's much worse consequences that can happen besides speeding tickets.

You might be excited that football season is finally in full force. But there are also lots of things going on if your team is not in action, or football is not your thing. Check out these 5 Southwest Florida events to join this weekend.

The entire region is getting ready to mark the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian. Fort Myers Beach was one of the hardest hit spots in the state. Only a handful of hotels have reopened. It's been slow going for many restaurants and businesses to find their footing as well.

One weekend event hopes to help that. It's Revive The Vibe Fest. The second annual event is meant to bring people together and support beach businesses. Not to mention entertain you.

Fort Myers Beach is ready to host visitors this weekend for the Revive The Vibe Fest.

Sizzle Dining continues with restaurants from Marco Island to Sanibel and everywhere in between offering amazing pre-fix dining deals. Click here for a preview of the lunch menu at Bicyclette Cookshop in Naples. They also have a special chef demonstration next week. Check Sizzle Dining's website for details.

If you have any upcoming events that you would like to share, please send them here. Finally, here are your Weekend Vibes for September 13th through September 15th. Have fun at these 5 Southwest Florida events.

*Please note, events are subject to change. Especially considering the weather. It never hurts to confirm with a phone call or a quick check of social media and event websites.

This is the second annual festival on Fort Myers Beach. It is intended to support local businesses and musicians while bringing people together following the destruction of Hurricane Ian two years ago. There will be two stages for music and also theater performances. Also enjoy games, food trucks, vendors and more. The fun is at Bayside Park, on the corner of Old San Carlos Blvd. and 1st Street Saturday, 11am to 10pm. Free. More info here.

Art is Essential is an ongoing campaign by Lee County Alliance for the Arts to raise money after having their budget slashed by Florida Governor Ron Desantis. Plan to attend the outdoor concert with Tampa blues singer and guitarist Damon Fowler. There will be food trucks on site as well. Saturday, 7pm at the Alliance on McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers. Tickets start at $20. More info here.

If you love butterflies make plans to visit the Peace River Botanical And Sculpture Gardens Saturday. There will be tours, demos and vendors. Also enjoy food, yard games, butterfly releases, a bounce house  and activities for the kids. 9am-noon. $20 general admission, 17 and under FREE. More info here.

This is a great way to try new restaurants as well as enjoy a new experience in some of your faves. Participating places offer a series of pre-fix dining options for three, four and five course meals. Lunches are $19 and $29. Dinner are $29, $39, and $49. Some also have a $59 option. For every meal sold $1 is donated to Blessings in a Backpack to help feed food insecure children. You get to eat and feed others at the same time. Bonus. It runs through the 25th. More info here.