Florida’s sunshine, warm weather, and beautiful beaches draw millions of visitors annually. All those visitors mean more vehicles on our highways and more accidents. Unfortunately, Florida is home to some of the nation’s most dangerous cities for drivers. Florida recently ranked third in the country for states with the most hazardous roads.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida had over 394,000 car crashes in a recent year. That averages out to more than 1,000 accidents per day in the Sunshine State. While these accidents occur across Florida, some cities are consistently more dangerous for drivers than others.
Florida’s Most Dangerous Cities For Drivers
Our most dangerous cities for driving are:
- Miami and Miami-Dade County lead the state with 64,009 crashes in 2023, nearly double that of most other Florida metropolitan areas.
- Fort Lauderdale ranks second with 40,304 crashes in Broward County in the same year. Accident fatality rates are also very high in Fort Lauderdale.
- Tampa takes third place with 27,474 crashes in Hillsborough County. Tampa also has the second-highest fatal accident rate in 2023.
- Orlando ranks fourth with 26,263 crashes in Orange County. This area regularly sees tourists visiting its theme parks, who may be unfamiliar with local roads.
- West Palm Beach takes fifth place with 26,250 crashes in Palm Beach County.
Other cities that consistently rank among the most dangerous for drivers include Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Tallahassee, and Cape Coral.
Why Are These Florida Cities So Dangerous For Drivers?
Several factors contribute to the high accident rates in these cities, including:
- Seasonal increases in traffic volume. Florida’s population increases significantly from October through April as visitors escape northern winters.
- Tourist traffic creates additional hazards, as visitors unfamiliar with the areas they are visiting are distracted by attractions or by looking for their hotels or restaurants. They may miss their turns or make sudden lane changes, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Aggressive driving is more common in heavily congested urban areas. Drivers are more likely to engage in behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and road rage on busy roads.
- Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents in these areas, as it is in other parts of the state and the nation. Texting, eating, adjusting controls, and other distractions take drivers’ attention off the road, increasing their risk of having an accident.
Contact Rosen Injury Law If You Are Injured In An Accident
Unfortunately, Florida cities can be a dangerous place for drivers. If you are injured in an accident in Florida that was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover significant compensation for your damages. Speak with an injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale today. However, insurance companies and defense attorneys will work hard to deny liability, shift blame to you, and deny, delay, and devalue your claim.
You need the help of an experienced car accident injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale to protect your rights and help you obtain the justice and compensation you deserve. At Rosen Injury Law, our car accident lawyers have a proven record of securing maximum compensation for our clients, and we want to do the same for you.
Call (954) 787-1500 or complete the short form on our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your Florida car accident claim.