Do you know Florida hosts three of the United States’ most hazardous roads: U.S. Route 1, Interstate 4, and Interstate 95?
Florida was recently ranked as the 5th deadliest state for car accidents. In 2022, there were 3,248 motor vehicle fatalities in the state. That’s alarming, so drivers must acquaint themselves with the root causes of car accidents in Florida.
Distracted Driving
In 2021, Florida saw a staggering surge in distracted driving incidents, as revealed by a 2022 report. Over 56,000 such accidents were documented during that year, claiming 331 lives. This marked the highest fatality count attributed to distracted driving in Florida in over eight years.
Distracted driving involves any activity seeking to divert your attention when driving. Such behaviors often result in drivers failing to spot other vehicles. You also overlook vital stop signs and traffic signals and veering into adjacent lanes of traffic. All these scenarios pose severe threats, potentially causing grave injuries to fellow motorists.
Disobeying a Traffic Control Light
Disregarding traffic signals can lead to a collision. When a driver moves at a significant speed with the legal right of way, they may not anticipate another driver disregarding the stop sign or the traffic light.
Ignoring a four-way traffic control mechanism can lead to a side-impact collision. A side-impact collision can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. This is mainly for those inside passenger vehicles.
Texting while driving
You’re not allowed to text while driving in Florida. Law enforcement officers may not pull you over solely for texting and driving. But they can issue a citation if you’re caught texting while violating other traffic rules. Alarming statistics reveal that nine Americans die daily due to texting while driving.
Speeding
Florida’s speed limits are established with the primary aim of ensuring safe journeys for drivers. Exceeding these speed limits significantly increases the likelihood of involvement in accidents. Speeding complicates negotiating turns and curves and impairs a driver’s ability to respond promptly to road hazards. Moreover, collisions at high speeds result in more severe injuries than those at standard speeds.
Driving Under the Influence
Following data from 2021, approximately 30% of car accidents in Florida can be attributed to drunk driving or impaired driving. The influence of drugs and alcohol substantially hampers a driver’s ability to react. Thus, they can’t maintain motor control, sustain balance, and make sound decisions. That elevates the risk of potentially fatal consequences for everyone sharing the road.
Bad weather
Severe weather conditions frequently lead to accidents on Florida’s highways. Drivers may lose control and trigger collisions when faced with exceptionally strong wind gusts. Adverse weather can induce unexpected vehicle responses, potentially setting off chain reactions when drivers are unprepared for such unpredictability.
When driving on Florida roads or any other roadway, it is essential to prioritize safety by avoiding all distractions. There is no need to risk an accident on hazardous roads, especially when aware of the potential dangers. Respect and follow all traffic regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
