Adhering to traffic laws not only ensures the safety of the lives and properties of all road users but also creates orderliness in our communities. However, this isn’t always the case in Florida, as it is ranked among the top 5 most dangerous states to drive through in America because of its alarming rate of car accidents and fatalities.
Even with new, stricter laws and constant advocacy for safe driving, the numbers over the past decade have kept on increasing. In this article, we’ll be looking at some shocking statistics surrounding Florida’s roadside mortality scene.
Annual Car Crashes and Fatality Figures
According to Florida Highway Safety, a total of 394,230 crashes occurred in 2023, with a total of 3,411 fatalities. The highest recorded number of car accidents in a year is 403,626 (2018), and 3,741 (2021) is the highest recorded number of crash fatalities in a single year. On average, a whopping 390,00 car crashes happen annually in Florida.
Accidents Also Occur Frequently in Smaller Cities
Living in less populated areas might seem like a safe zone, but residents of smaller counties and cities still fall prey to this terror. For instance, 2,578 car accidents were recorded in Hernando County last year, with Brooksville (its county seat) contributing largely to those numbers, with gruesome fatal crashes, due to its proximity to Tampa and its interstates. This led to a high demand for car accident attorneys in Brooksville, FL, and other surrounding cities.
Pedestrians Fall into Harm’s Way
The usual victims of car crashes do tend to be road users; however, pedestrians tend to become the victims in some cases, even in residential areas and neighborhoods. Often because of drunk driving or high speeding, and in some cases, the pedestrian being under the influence of intoxicating substances.
A report by the National Safety Council showed that pedestrian auto-accident casualties have been on the rise for the past decade. An alarming 17.7% of traffic deaths were recorded in 2022, with the victims mostly aged between 35 and 65 years. Although traffic deaths among children had a low figure this year, the fact remains that children are still victims of traffic crash fatalities.
Cities And Counties with High Rates of Car Accidents and Factors
The breezy weather of Florida makes it an attractive place for outdoor activities; however, it’s important to be aware of some areas with the most traffic accident tendencies. Here are the cities with high rates of crashes:
- Miami
- Jacksonville
- Tampa
- Orlando
Counties:
- Miami-Dade County
- Hillsborough County
- Broward County
- Palm Beach County
Several factors contribute to traffic crashes and deaths in these areas, but the major factors are:
- High population
- Congested traffic on highways and Interstates
- Different driving habits
- Condition of vehicles
- Visitors to these areas who are unfamiliar with the traffic laws.
- Wildlife
- Narrow roads, etc.
Young And Inexperienced Drivers Are at Higher Risk
Commuting through some of Florida’s roads can be intense for even an experienced driver, making it a herculean task for inexperienced drivers, especially teenagers, who are prone to distractions, which happens to be a major factor leading to car accidents.
Florida is ranked as one of the most dangerous states for teen drivers, especially in the summer. Teenage traffic deaths are a very common occurrence due to bad driving habits like not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, texting while driving, being distracted while driving, and even driving while drunk or high on recreational drugs.
Although this isn’t always the case, be sure to reach out to a car accident attorney if you feel that you or a loved one sustained injuries or losses due to the negligence of another person.