Why St. Petersburg’s Roads Are Among the Most Dangerous in Florida

The beautiful Floridian city of St. Petersburg is unfortunately home to some of the most accident-prone roads in the state. While the city offers a high standard of living overall, the risk of traffic collisions, especially for pedestrians and cyclists, is a major issue.

In fact, St. Petersburg has been ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in America for pedestrians based on federal data on pedestrian fatality rates.

A Consistent Problem in St. Petersburg, FL and Pinellas County

Florida is already known for its hazardous highways, with routes like I-4, I-95 and US-1 ranking among the worst in America. St. Petersburg's location contributes to its elevated accident rate.

Pinellas County, where St. Petersburg is situated, regularly reports high numbers of crashes. In 2020 alone there were over 14,000 accidents county-wide. From 2018 to 2020 the three-year average stood at a substantial 16,422 accidents annually. These collisions lead to many deaths and injuries each year. Between 2018 and 2020, Pinellas County saw an average of 115 traffic fatalities and almost 10,000 traffic injuries every year.

The St. Petersburg car accident attorneys from Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group recommend hiring a skilled lawyer, as it is crucial to securing the compensation and support you need to recover successfully from these incidents.

Key Danger Zones in St. Petersburg, FL

Certain St. Petersburg roads and intersections have been singled out as particularly risky. One is US-19, a major north-south artery notorious for heavy traffic, reckless driving and frequent crashes. In 2019, 20 fatal accidents took place on US-19 in St. Petersburg, half involving pedestrians. Several intersections crossing US-19 rank among the most dangerous spots in the county.

Other hazardous areas include:

4th St. N./US-92: A hotspot for collisions, especially around 9th Ave. N.
5th Ave. N.: Multiple dangerous intersections, like 34th St., 49th St., 16th St., 20th St., Dr. MLK Jr. St., and 4th St.
34th St./US-19: High accident rate between 9th Ave. N. and 26th Ave. S.
Central Avenue, from MLK Jr. Street North to Pasadena Avenue: Prone to speeding vehicles and pedestrian crashes.
Tyrone Boulevard: Frequent collisions due to high traffic volumes and multiple lanes.

Vulnerable Road Users at Risk

St. Petersburg experiences an unusually high number of pedestrian and cyclist accidents compared to elsewhere in Florida. In 2021, the city saw 389 bike accidents, causing 62 serious injuries and 16 deaths. Although St. Petersburg contains only about 1.2% of the state's population, it accounted for 2.4% of Florida's pedestrian and cyclist collisions that year. This signals a disproportionately high danger for non-vehicular road users. Recent fatal crashes involving pedestrians on Gandy Boulevard and 9th Avenue South highlight the ongoing issue.

Drivers and Changes Needed

Reckless driving is a primary cause of accidents. Pinellas County has introduced a "Vision Zero Strategy Plan" to improve road safety, including new bikeways, pedestrian overpasses, traffic management technology on US-19, and more.

Getting Legal Help From A Car Accident Lawyer in Florida

Anyone involved in a St. Petersburg traffic collision should understand their legal options. Consulting an experienced car accident attorney is highly advisable, given Florida's complex traffic laws and insurance rules. Many firms offer free consultations to examine potential injury claims. They can assist with the legal process, insurance companies, and seeking damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering. Pedestrian and bicycle accident victims may be eligible for compensation through personal injury lawsuits or settlements.

By being aware of high-risk areas and taking precautions, hopefully the number of accidents in St. Petersburg will decline over time. However, legal assistance remains crucial for victims seeking justice.

Pic: https://pixabay.com/photos/automotive-car-dashboard-driver-1866521/