Sarasota Car Accident Attorneys Explain Florida Fatal Crash Trends
A new report – with the tagline “Never before have deaths on our nation’s roadways increased so rapidly” – says that Florida is one of the worst states for traffic safety laws and car accidents.
This conclusion comes from a ranking of states’ traffic safety laws by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. Based on their traffic regulations, the group put all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in one of three categories – green (the best), yellow, and red.
Florida is among 11 “red” states that the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (AHAS) say are “falling behind” when it comes to adopting roadway safety standards and enforcement.
Traffic safety report
For the study, AHAS identified 16 laws aimed at reducing serious and fatal car accidents. The group investigated which states had these laws on the books and gauged the strength of each measure.
Florida is missing 10 of the 16 laws, AHAS says. It is worth noting that AHAS does not credit states with having specific traffic safety laws if the state’s law does not meet AHAS standards.
This means that, for example, even though Florida has a graduated driver’s license program it is not credited in the report.
Florida rules of the road
Florida is missing 10 out of the AHAS’ 16 recommended highway safety laws.
Roadway rules Florida should adopt, the AHAS says, include:
- Primary enforcement of seatbelt use (rear passengers)
- All-rider motorcycle helmet requirement
- Rear-facing safety seats through age 2
- Booster seat standards
- Ignition interlocks for all impaired driving (DUI or DWI) offenders
The group also offered suggestions about how Florida could improve its graduated drivers’ license program (GDL) by requiring:
- Minimum age of 16 for a learner’s permit
- Stronger nighttime restrictions
- Passenger restrictions
- Must be at least age 18 to get an unrestricted driver’s license
- Restrict cell phone use
Florida fatal car accident trends
The number of car accident fatalities has been steadily rising in Florida for at least the last decade, according to federal data.
In 2019, there were 3,183 fatalities on Florida roadways, whereas in 2010, there were 2,444 deaths.
This means that the number of car, truck, and motorcycle accident deaths in Florida went up by 30 percent in just 10 years.
Farrow & Pulice offers compassionate, experienced representation
Florida is working to improve road safety, but designing, funding, and building road improvements can take years. Meanwhile, deadly car accidents continue to happen in the state every day.
Injured crash victims are most likely eligible to file injury claims. In fatal crashes, the deceased person’s “personal representative” may file a wrongful death action. In both cases, an experienced Florida car accident attorney can fight to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a fatal car accident in the Sarasota Metro Area or the surrounding region, contact Farrow & Pulice, P.A. for a free case consultation. We can meet at one of our offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, Englewood, Port Charlotte, or Lakewood Ranch—or we can come to you.
Do not delay: the statute of limitations starts ticking down the moment a crash happens. Farrow & Pulice is ready to hear from you 24/7. Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation right now.
