What Are The Most Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Florida?
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department, over 400,000 car accidents occur in the state of Florida every single year. Of these 400,000 car accidents, more than 250,000 can be expected to cause injury of some kind, and more than 3,000 will be fatal. While these numbers seem like a lot, there are over 15 million drivers in Florida, and about 5% during each given year can be expected to be involved in an accident in some way. One way to do your best to avoid becoming part of that 5% is to learn what causes accidents in the state, and to be cognizant of these conditions to avoid them yourself. While not all conditions can be avoided, like driving in the rain for instance, it can let you know when you should be most vigilant while on Florida roadways.Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Florida include:
• Speeding – The single most common cause of Florida car accidents is speeding, and while speed limits are posted in certain areas according to the safety conditions of the road, many drivers grow over-confident and find themselves moving too quickly. Speeding accidents can be either single car accidents or those with other motorists involved and going at such high rates of speed can lead to serious injuries should an accident occur.
• Missing traffic lights – Traffic lights are installed in order to keep traffic moving smoothly at intersections, but sometimes they can be missed by distracted or careless drivers. When a driver misses a red light at an intersection, this can cause serious accidents while traffic coming from other directions is making its way through.
• Texting and driving – Texting and driving isn’t something Florida residents had to worry about 15 years ago, but it’s become a major problem today. As we grow more and more reliant on our smartphones, it’s become more difficult for some to pull themselves away from them even to drive. Texting while driving takes your eyes off of the roadway, it diverts your attention from driving, and it can lead to deadly accidents in a matter of seconds. According to the National Safety Council, texting and driving is directly related to more than 1.6 million accidents across the United States each year.
• Teen inexperience – Teens are often plagued with a lack of experience paired with over-confidence while on the road. This means that they feel they are more prepared for hazardous conditions than they are, and they will often only learn when it’s too late. Speeding, texting and driving, driving while under the influence, and missing traffic signs or signals are some of the most common causes of teen-related car accidents in Florida.
• Driving while intoxicated – When it comes to driving while intoxicated, some may find that lines can be a little blurry between when one is actually okay to drive and when one should seek a designated driver or a ride-share service. The driver may think they’re perfectly sober and okay to drive, but in reality they’re more intoxicated than they really are. As a good rule of thumb, make sure to have a designated driver whenever you’re having even just one or two drinks.
• Poor weather conditions – In Florida it can be sunny and bright one moment and raining sideways the next. Florida can see some polarizing weather extremes, which may leave drivers on the road in less than ideal driving conditions. Limited visibility and slick roadways cause these weather conditions to be hazardous to even the most skilled and experienced Florida motorists.