New Study on The Deadliest Roads in Florida

The state of Florida is famous for its pristine beaches, warm weather, and tourist attractions. However, Florida is also notorious for its dangerous roads, which have claimed countless lives over the years.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were over 400,000 motor vehicle accidents in Florida in 2019 alone, resulting in over 3,000 fatalities. To help analyze trends and identify crash hotspots, a local law firm Vanguard Attorneys teamed up with data visualization company 1point21 Interactive to create an interactive study about the most dangerous roads in Florida leveraging 20 years of fatal crash data.

The Top 9 Deadliest Roads in Florida

The study, which analyzed two decades of fatal crash data, identified the following nine roads as the most dangerous in Florida:

1. US-19 in Bayonet Point: From Jasmine Blvd to New York Ave
2. US-19 in New Port Richey: From Main St to Bartelt Rd
3. FL-50 in Orlando: From Semoran Blvd to Dean Rd
4. I-95 in Ft. Lauderdale: From exit 22 through 27
5. FL-704 in West Palm Beach: From the I-95 interchange to Jog Rd
6. FL-816 in Ft Lauderdale: From St Road 7 to Dixie Hwy
7. I – 95 in Pompano Beach: From exit 36 to 41
8. I-95 in Miami Beach: From exit 4B to 9
9. US-1 in Homestead: From SW 344th St-SW 280th St

The Concentration of Fatal Crashes

More than 140 people lost their lives on Florida's top nine deadliest roads alone. The study identified that more fatal crashes occurred on these nine roads, which totals to only 5-mile stretches, than any other highway stretch in the entire state.

While the reason may not be inherently clear as to why these nine roads are responsible for the high density of fatalities, the analysis does point out that the top two stretches of US-19 are the most traveled roads in all of Florida. Given this information, the Florida Department of Transportation has focused on improved pedestrian and bicycle safety by adding crosswalk installations and construction, as well as intersection improvements.

Leveraging the Data

When comparing the data to years prior, the study notes the steady increase of fatal crashes since 2011. Experts theorize that a combination of more distracted driving behaviors, the growing size of various vehicles, and the increased performance of vehicles can be to blame for the increase in the sheer number of crashes.

As readers, we can leverage this insight to make better choices while driving, choosing to not drive distracted, drowsy, or otherwise impaired. By diving into the data and identifying the most dangerous roads, the study helps both visitors and residents of Florida use added caution at these locations. It can also help the local government and governing bodies improve infrastructure to protect drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

What We Can Take Away

Florida is home to some of the deadliest roads in the United States, with thousands of crashes and fatalities occurring each year. While many of these accidents are caused by driver error or negligence, it is important to recognize that dangerous road conditions also may play a role.

As such, it is important for drivers to be aware of these dangerous roads and take appropriate precautions when driving. Precautions can include following the speed limit, avoiding distractions, and never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. By taking these precautions, we can all help to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities.

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