The Top Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Florida

As the third-most populated state in the U.S., it's no surprise that Florida is also one of the top states for car crashes.

Let's take a closer look at the top causes of car accidents in Florida to better understand how drivers can adopt safer habits.

High-Level Overview of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Florida

With over 359,000 accidents recorded in 2023, 149,700 injuries, and 3,007 deaths, Florida is on track for one of the least deadly years in recent history.

Despite these promising numbers, the state remains one of the most dangerous for drivers, with more than 17 deaths per 100,000 residents, making it the 10th state for road fatalities.

With 105.2 million visitors flocking to Florida during the first three quarters of 2023, busy roads are a key factor contributing to car accidents in Florida, but unsafe behaviors like speeding and distracted driving are also to blame.

Speeding

Compared to other states, speeding has a relatively limited impact on fatalities since driving above the speed limit is a factor in only 9% of deadly crashes.

However, with over 681,800 speeding tickets issued in 2022, speeding remains problematic, and these crashes could be easily prevented. The good news is that law enforcement issued 2.7% more speeding tickets in 2022 than in 2021, suggesting a harsher stance.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving contributes to more than 3,000 road fatalities every year in the U.S. Whether it's texting, making a phone call, or checking directions on a GPS, it only takes a few seconds of inattention for the worst to happen.

Data shows that distracted driving was a factor in more than 53,500 crashes reported in Florida in 2022, representing around 13% of all crashes.

Since 2022, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and law enforcement agencies have reminded drivers to pay attention to the 'Put It Down' campaign. However, advocates say that the Wireless Communications While Driving Law adopted in 2019 has had a limited impact on distracted driving. Passing a new hands-free law could be the key to curbing distracted driving in the Sunshine State.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Law enforcement reported a total of 43,700 DUI convictions for 2022, which is consistent with the 44,000 DUIs issued in 2021.

Alcohol was a contributing factor in 4,383 crashes this year, including 197 fatalities. Drugs played a role in 307 crashes and a tragic 156 fatalities.

These numbers suggest that Florida has a lower rate of drunk driving compared to the rest of the nation, with driving under the influence playing a role in a third of all crashes reported across the U.S.

Harsh DUI penalties that can include fines, license revocation, and even imprisonment are effective deterrents, but thousands of crashes could be avoided if drivers didn't engage in this dangerous behavior.

Weather Conditions

Data shows that car accidents in Florida are relatively consistent throughout the year, with a slight increase happening during the month of March. This trend coincides with the beginning of the tourist season and likely results from the roads getting busier.

The hurricane season from June through November can create unsafe driving conditions, which can be avoided by staying home during severe weather alerts. Hot temperatures can also contribute to accidents by causing glare and blurry vision due to the asphalt heating up.

Road Conditions and Infrastructure

Florida ranks 12th for driving conditions, suggesting that road conditions aren't a major factor behind car crashes. However, the number of drivers on the roads is a safety risk. Millions of tourists visit Florida every year, and the state added a record-breaking 365,000 new residents this year,

The Moving Florida Forward project addresses congestion by expanding several major highways, but drivers should still exercise caution in traffic.

Adopting Safe Driving Habits

Busy roads are one of the critical factors behind car accidents in Florida, but thousands of crashes also happen due to speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.

These crashes can be easily prevented by adopting safer driving habits. Next time you get behind the wheel, keep these statistics in mind and do your part to make the roads safer.

However, even the most careful driver can have accidents. If this happens to you, remember that Accident.com is here to help.