Why Are There So Many Car Accidents and Fatalities in Florida?

Florida has great fame because of its many tourist attractions, beaches, and warm weather year-round. However, the state is infamous for its many car accidents and fatalities. According to a post at iihs.org, the reasons for most accidents are from state to state. Florida has a large number of visitors who are unfamiliar with the roads and driving in heavy traffic. College students trek by the thousands for spring break, and they often party.

The iihs.org statistics reveal that 33,244 motor vehicle fatalities occurred in 2019. Florida had one of the highest ratios of accidents per million miles traveled: 1.41. That puts Florida accidents in the top 10 states for serious car crashes.

According to a post at flhealthcharts.com, different counties have higher or lower accident rates than the state average. For example, Alachua County ranks in the second quartile. That means the rating of 15.5 compares to an average of 14.7 deaths per 100,000 drivers. Being the second quartile means that about half of Florida’s counties have higher rates. One-quarter of the counties have lower rates.

Top Causes of Florida Accidents

The top causes of Florida accidents bear on its visitors, attraction to partying college students, and extreme traffic. The specific causes of Florida accidents include:

● Speeding

● Drunk driving

● Poor road conditions

● Adverse weather conditions that include heavy rain, tropical storms, fog, and extreme heat that causes the engine to overheat

● Distracted driving includes texting, using mobile phones, and cruising around beach and club areas

● Reckless driving behavior such as cutting people off and running red lights

● Drowsiness and fatigue

● Tailgating

● Poor vehicle maintenance

● Young drivers without much driving experience

● Defects in cars or components

● Extreme traffic congestion

Deadly roads are a big cause of Florida accidents. Many are deadly because of poor maintenance or insufficient mentoring of traffic conditions. Some roads cause accidents because of animals crossing the road like crocodiles and snakes. Interstate 4 ranks as the deadliest highway in the United States. This is the highway that connects Daytona Beach to Tampa, and the number of deaths averages one per mile. Other areas have similar problems of heavy partying around beaches and club areas that increase the number of accidents caused by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The Effects of Traffic Congestion

According to a post at NCBI.nlm.NIH/gov, traffic congestion has a big effect on accidents. People drive dangerously to gain a little ground during traffic jams. People become frustrated and pay less attention to their driving. On the other hand, being prevented from speeding could have a positive effect on driving safety. The issue has been studied for more than 100 years, but definitive conclusions haven’t been reached. However, many people suspect that drivers held to a low speed tend to put the pedal to the floor when free to do so.

Steps Florida Has Taken to Reduce Its Accident Rate

According to floridahealth.gov, unintentional injuries are the top cause of Florida deaths. Injuries from car accidents and other injuries claimed 18,159 lives in 2019. Florida needs to take additional steps to repair roads and pass more safety laws like these:

● Aggressive enforcement of mandatory seat belt laws that cover all seat positions

● Strong passenger safety laws that should be strengthened

● Comprehensive graduated drivers’ licensing that helps young drivers gain experience before being legal to drive in certain situations

● Reinstating the universal helmet law for all bike and motorcycle riders

Getting Help After an Accident

You should always get a medical examination after a serious accident. Some symptoms of injuries remain hidden from casual observation. You should also get help from a car crash lawyer serving Naples, Florida. You can’t afford to pass up fair compensation if you’re injured, and your attorneys can protect you from false charges of liability.