Uncovering Florida’s Deadliest Roads and Scariest Accident Statistics

Michael Babboni Auto Accidents Jan/02/2023

Over 8,000 fatal Florida crashes were analyzed to determine which of the state’s roads were the deadliest. This article will uncover Florida’s deadliest roads and share some of the scariest accident statistics from the state, some of which may surprise you.

Deadliest Road Stretches in Florida

Let’s start by naming off some of the deadliest roads according to information collected by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

• Pasco County: US-19 from Denton Avenue to San Marco Drive. Twenty-five fatalities over a distance of 4.9 miles.

• West Bradenton and Bradenton: US-41 from 23rd Avenue to Pearl Avenue. Twenty-three fatalities over a 4.7-mile distance.

• Tampa: US-41 from North Macdill Avenue to North 40th Street. Twenty-one fatalities over a 4.8-mile distance.

• St. Petersburg: US-19 from 54th Avenue North to Queensboro Avenue South. Twenty fatalities over a 4.7-mile distance.

• Pinellas County: US-19 from Lake Tarpon Drive to Royal Boulevard. Twenty-one fatalities over a 4.4-mile distance.

So, what caused these fatal accidents? Drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving were the three most common causes of fatal accidents along these Florida roadways.

Drunk Driving

Out of over 8,000 fatal crashes in Florida between 2017 and 2019, almost 2000 were connected to drunk driving. Your behavior and reflexes behind the wheel are significantly affected when you drive under the influence. Your reaction time is much slower, and you may be visually impaired.

DUI charges in Florida can lead to hefty fines, jail time, and license revocation, especially in the case of a fatality. Additionally, once you are convicted of drunk driving, you must carry FR-44 insurance, one of the more expensive insurance coverage types.

Speeding

Speeding accounted for approximately 9% of fatalities along these Florida roadways. This comes out to around 829 crashes between 2017 and 2019. When speeding, you can have more difficulty coming to a complete stop, making quick stops, and can possibly lose control of the vehicle.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving accounted for 8% of fatal accidents. For this reason, Florida enacted the hands-free law in 2019. As of January 1, 2020, officers can issue citations to motorists caught texting while behind the wheel.

Unfortunately, according to information from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, distracted driving still resulted in 333 fatalities in 2021. This was the highest recorded number in the last eight years.

In April 2022, Florida Highway Patrol launched a campaign to educate Florida motorists on the importance of not driving while distracted and on the current laws in the state designed to combat this.

Fatal Accidents by County

Miami-Dade county reported the most fatal accidents in the state, and US-1 was determined to be the deadliest road. The majority of these accidents occurred during March, and drunk driving contributed to more of these accidents than distracted driving and speeding combined.

Following Miami-Dade county in order of the most fatal accidents in the state, you will find Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, Palm Beach, Duval, Pinellas, Volusia, Polk, Pasco, and Lee counties.

Drive Safely

Safe drivers can help keep the roadways safer for everyone and can actually save motorists money in the long run. However, remember that accidents can still happen, even if all the proper precautions have been taken. Safe driving means more affordable auto insurance coverage and could save the Florida motorist an average of $2,200 per year.

Along with a safe driving record, you can also find more affordable auto insurance coverage when they factor in your age, driving history, and credit standing.

Again, even with the right precautions, accidents still happen. You may be entitled to compensation if you were involved in an auto accident and sustained injuries and property damage. Speak with an experienced St Pete car accident attorney today who can help you navigate the claim process.

Client Testimonials

Attorney David Goldman has been exceptional in the process of helping me through the case. He has always been easy to reach, whether by phone or email, and has thorough knowledge and explains clearly in depth so you feel safe and confident in your lawyer

I used Michael Babboni and his paralegal, Nicole Moore for a legal matter. They went above and beyond my expectations. During the entire process there was constant communication with both Michael and Nicole. They were extremely organized and on top of my case, which I am very grateful for. Michael truly had my best interests at heart and he was very genuine. I plan on referring Michael to all family and friends and will continue to use him in the future.

I dealt most with Mr. Fernandez. I didn’t know a lot about this process. He took the time to speak with me individually, in person, to explain everything. It was very helpful to actually know and understand the process and what to expect. He closed my case quickly, which was nice that it was not prolonged! I appreciated his hard work and getting me what I felt I deserved after my car accident. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs an honest and reliable lawyer to assist you with your case!

I hired Mr. Walsh after an automobile accident this past March. He and his entire staff were extremely professional. They kept me informed every step of the way and settled my case in a timely manner. Thank you so much for your help.