Traffic deaths continue to increase across Florida and the rest of the United States, and while Florida has long had a reputation for having dangerous drivers, research shows the problem continues to worsen. Many fatal and nonfatal car wrecks that occur across the state and nation share similar aspects in common, so recognizing the top causes of car crashes should help city officials and safety advocates devise plans to mitigate them.
Per CBS 12, 31,720 people lost their lives in car wrecks across the nation during the first nine months of 2021. This is a 12% increase over the number of road deaths seen nationally in 2020. It is also the highest number of road deaths seen in any nine-month span since 2006.
How Florida drivers rank
Traffic fatalities are also piling up at the local level. In 2020, there were 3,332 traffic deaths that occurred across the state. In 2021, there were 3,629 such deaths, indicating a 10% increase. Studies also show that Florida is now the third-most-dangerous state to drive in in the United States.
What causes fatal and nonfatal crashes
Driver distraction is a common cause of fatal and nonfatal crashes across Florida and the rest of the nation. While cellphone use, specifically, is a frequent factor in crashes, phones are not the only source of distraction diverting today’s drivers’ attention away from the task at hand. In-vehicle dash systems and other passengers are also common forms of distraction. Speed, too, is often a factor in car crashes that occur state- and nationwide.
Drivers who exercise negligence behind the wheel and injure or kill others may face serious legal sanctions.