Fort Lauderdale Ranked Most Dangerous City to Drive: South Florida Car Accident Attorney Explains
Fort Lauderdale is the most dangerous city in the United States to drive in. In fact, 4 Florida cities are included in the most deadly cities to drive in in the US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Jacksonville, and St. Petersburg are the 4 most dangerous cities in Florida to drive in. Fort Lauderdale is the most dangerous city to drive in, with more than 22 deaths from driving accidents per 100,000 people. Pompano Beach, Miami Gardens, Davie, and Miami also had high rankings for car accidents.
Every 84 seconds, a car crash happens in Florida. That means roughly 43 car crashes per hour each day in Florida and more than 1,000 car crashes per day in Florida.
More than 225,000 people were injured in Florida car accidents in 2015, with 2,500 people dying in Florida car crashes.
Why is Florida so Dangerous to Drive in?
Florida’s high rates of car accident deaths is believed to be linked to the increasing amount of immigration from New York City as well as travelers and tourists who may be unfamiliar with driving in Florida, according to NHTSA. Car accidents also markedly increase during spring break when many young adults come to Florida and behave recklessly, including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Another reason Florida and Fort Lauderdale have so many accident-related deaths is believed to be linked to the wide roads in the cities which encourage speeding.
Common Causes of Florida Car Crashes: Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer
There are many causes of Florida car crashes, including simple things like potholes, but there are some common denominators for car accidents resulting in injuries and deaths in Florida.
- Drunk Driving – About one-fourth of Florida’s car accident deaths are connected to drunk drivers, or drivers using drugs. Drunk driving accidents usually happen at higher speeds and are more likely to result in death or injuries. Florida is in the top 3 states for having the most alcohol-related driving deaths in the United States.
- Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is a serious issue in Florida and the entire nation. Distracted driving largely involves phone use such as texting and driving. It can wait. If something is urgent, pull over. A text message is never worth your life, or the life of someone else on the road.
- Driver aggression and road rage – There is a high percentage of aggressive and rushed driving in the Broward and Miami-Dade County areas. Road rage is also a serious problem in South Florida. Shootouts of some kind are fairly common on I-95 in the Fort Lauderdale area. In January 2022, a dashcam video circulated the news networks showing a man opening fire – firing his gun 11 times – at another driver on I-95.
- Truck Accidents – There are a number of injuries and deaths caused by commercial truck accidents in Florida every year. Truck accidents are also more likely to result in injuries and accidents because of the weight and size of the trucks.
- Motorcycle Crashes – Motorcycle accidents are regularly a leading cause of car accident injuries and deaths in Florida. This is mostly due to the fact that a motorcycle doesn’t offer much protection for the rider or any passengers. Drivers also often don’t see motorcycles on the road and it’s more common for drivers not to see motorcyclists when they are driving distracted or impaired.
- Teen Drivers – In 2015, more than 43,000 car accidents were caused by teen drivers, which was a 10% increase from 2014. Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents because they’re less experienced drivers and are more likely to be distracted by their phones – whether texting, looking at maps apps, or scrolling some type of social media.
- Elderly Drivers – Florida is a very common retirement destination, with a large population of residents over the age of 65. Florida has many drivers who are driving well into their 80s or 90s. In 2015, drivers over 65 years old caused more than 65,000 car crashes. Older drivers are less likely to drive while distracted, but slower reflexes and possible loss of hearing and eyesight can be risk factors for a car accident.
How to Stay Safe on Florida Roads: Car Accident Attorney Advice
Three of our best tips for staying safe on Fort Lauderdale and Florida roadways are simple but vital.
1. Wear a seatbelt
2. Drive the speed limit
3. Don’t drive distracted
Wearing a seatbelt can save your life and lessen the severity of injuries if you’re involved in a car accident.
Driving the speed limit helps lessen the severity of accidents, and also gives you more time to respond to road hazards, other drivers’ mistakes and more. Speeding makes everything more serious and dangerous and lessens the time you have to respond to an unexpected event or hazard.
Driving distracted is one of the greatest risks of driving. If you’re driving distracted, you’re less likely to notice other drivers who are driving distracted or impaired themselves which could lead to a collision that had you been focused on the road and your surroundings you could’ve avoided.
Were you Injured In A Florida Car Accident?: FREE Consultation with Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced Florida car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Coral Springs office directly at 954-755-7803 to schedule your free consultation. We proudly serve Florida residents including all of Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County and all points in between.
Call our Coral Springs office: 954-755-7803