With a stroke of a pen on June 8, Florida's Governor Jeb Bush officially declared Florida to be a part of the "RV Friendly" highway sign program. The law is designed to help recreation vehicle (RV) travelers more easily locate establishments that cater to their needs. Florida joins Louisiana and Oregon as the only states to pass this legislation.

The "RV Friendly" markers -- bright yellow circles with crescent smiles under the letters RV -- could appear on Florida highways as early as this fall. Local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, travel destinations, attractions and gas stations will be able to place the "RV Friendly" markers under their "Gas-Food-Lodging" highway signs as long as they meet state requirements, including large parking spaces, entrances, exits and overhang clearances.

RV ownership has reached record levels in the United States with an estimated 30 million RV enthusiasts, including renters. On American roads today are 7.2 million RVs, which include motorhomes, travel trailers, folding camping trailers and truck campers. That's nearly one in every 12 vehicle- owning households in the United States, according to a study by the University of Michigan.

The FRVTA promotes and protects the RV industry in the state of Florida and produces a number of RV shows including the Florida RV SuperShow held every January in Tampa. For more information about the "RV Friendly" program, contact the FRVTA at 10510 Gibsonton Drive, Riverview, FL 33569 or call (813) 741-0488.