Florida routinely ranks among the worst states in the country for highway safety. There are various metrics used to rate states in this regard, and while Florida is not in the bottom of every category, it is consistently bringing up the rear in many categories. This is concerning for Florida drivers, of course, as they have to brave the difficult road situation to get to work, to vacation, or about town. Why does the state rank so poorly in terms of automobile accidents? There are plenty of reasons at current that must be worked through in order to understand the state’s situation.
A lack of federal funding
Many of the problems in the state stem from a lack of federal funding. The state currently ranks 49th in federal funding for roads, which creates significant difficulty for repairs and the like. This can lead to many more car accidents because the state does not have the money to put up solid signage, fix holes in roads, or repair bridges that might be deteriorating. It is difficult to explain why the federal funding issue exists, except that the political environment in the state is such that its governor and other leaders have been hostile toward the idea of federal spending.
A high percentage of highway deaths per capita
Perhaps nothing brings down a state’s rankings more than auto accidents that lead to deaths. The state ranks among the worst for driver deaths, creating a terrible environment for those who hit the road in the state. On average, the state has between 2,500 and 3,500 fatalities per year on its roadways. In addition to those people who die, there are hundreds of thousands more who are seriously injured in auto accidents. These numbers have long hurt the state’s profile from a driving safety perspective.
Lots of bridges
While the state does have high rankings for the quality of some of its bridges, it also has the problem of having too many of those bridges. Even when bridges are in good shape, they are more likely to lead to fatal auto accidents than a typical road. On a bridge, there is less room for a person to respond to an accident. People are often forced into bad situations, when they would otherwise be able to swerve on a standard road. This is one of those things that is difficult to eliminate, of course. With as much water as the state has, it is natural that many car accidents would take place on the bridges there.
A large percentage of older drivers
Another risk factor for automobile accidents is the age of drivers. Older drivers and very young drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, albeit for different reasons. Older drivers tend to have slower reaction times, while younger drivers are more likely to be distracted. Because of the population age in the state, which tends to be much older than the average state, the state is a place where more car accidents will naturally take place.
The state has consistently rated at the bottom of most metrics when it comes to highway safety. With more wrecks and more fatalities than the average state, it’s not one for the weak-hearted. Some problems are inherent in the state, while others are related to culture, demographics, and the relevant laws there. Overall, these things combine to create a somewhat untenable situation for those living there and driving the roads. Many are injured over time, and are forced to seek the help of attorneys who deal with car injuries.
References:
http://www.carinsurancecomparison.com/which-states-have-the-most-dangerous-highways
http://www.dmvflorida.org/2004-crash-data.shtml
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