Driving With Caution – Be Aware of These Dangerous Florida Roadways

Florida has some of the most dangerous roads in all of the United States. So, while you should always maintain safe driving practices at all times, you should take extra care when driving on the following most dangerous roads in the Sunshine State.

Interstate 75

Interstate 75, which runs from northern Michigan to the outskirts of Miami may have a lot of natural beauty along its route. But it’s also one of the most dangerous roads in Florida.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the accident rate on the section that runs through Alachua County is incredibly 95% higher than the state average for similar roads, and each year, the number of accidents on Interstate 75 is increasing.

With 38,000 vehicles traveling along the road every day, it’s perhaps no wonder that the accident rate is so high.

Though, many blame commercial trucks for the high collision rate. Indeed, truck accidents tend to result in more serious accidents, which in turn leads to a higher amount of truck accident claims in which expert lawyers assist victims in gaining the compensation they deserve.

Interstate 75 is especially notorious for accidents during the summer months. According to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 122 fatal accidents occurred on the stretch of road between 2015 and 2017.

So, make sure you maintain extra caution when driving along Interstate 75.

US Highway 1

US Highway 1, which runs along the eastern shore from Maine to South Florida and then down to Key West, has multiple different traffic conditions along the route, which is perhaps why it’s often ranked as the second-deadliest highway in Florida.

Between 2015 and 2019 alone, 584 deaths occurred from accidents on the road, with the majority happening in Monroe County, Brevard County, and Miami-Dade County.

Things like the highway’s multiple traffic lanes, varying spans between signals, and extreme changes in the speed limits posted along the road are all thought to be major contributory factors for the highway’s high rate of accidents and deaths.

Interstate 95

Another interstate that’s well-known for being dangerous is Interstate 95, especially during the summer months. According to the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, there were 158 fatalities during the summer months of 2020 alone.

And the fatality rate is particularly high on the four-mile express lane in the Miami neighborhood of Little River.

In fact, the NHTSA reports that that stretch of the road has the highest fatalities per mile in Florida, with around 27 fatalities across the short stretch reported in the space of just one year.

And according to the Florida Highway Patrol, over a period of three years, over 10,000 vehicle accidents were reported along the entirety of Interstate 95. The local police force largely blames lane divers for the high rate of accidents.

Interstate 10

Seeing as Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest highway in the U.S., at 2,460 miles long, it’s perhaps not too surprising that it’s one of the most dangerous roads in Florida. Many accidents occur on the interstate due to drivers changing lanes unexpectedly.

That’s increased by the fact that Interstate 10 has a major lack of barriers. So, if you take a trip to places like Santa Monica and Jacksonville, make sure you use you’re driving A game.

Interstate 4

According to Teletrac Navman, Interstate 4 is the most dangerous road not just in Florida but in the whole country. The fact that it’s the busiest interstate in the U.S. will certainly have something to do with the road’s high rate of accidents and casualties.

According to the NHTSA, the stretches from Daytona Beach to Orlando and from Orlando to Tampa are the most dangerous areas of Interstate 4. Between 2010 and 2015 alone, the road saw a whopping 1.41 fatalities per mile. No wonder Interstate 4 has been nicknamed the Haunted Highway.

The huge amount of traffic is certainly a large contributing factor to the high rate of accidents and fatalities. But Florida’s relaxed laws around things like texting while driving are also to blame, as distracted driving is one of the top causes of road accidents.

Central Miami Roads

It’s not just highways that you need to be careful on when driving in Florida. The city streets of central Miami are also notoriously dangerous. That’s because there are lots of pedestrians and cyclists around who are often not aware of how to follow traffic regulations to stay safe.

Furthermore, the increase in usage of ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber in recent years has increased congestion in Miami and seeing as many people who drive on behalf of such companies are not familiar with Miami roads, they’re more likely to be involved in accidents.

How to Avoid Road Accidents in Florida

While Florida undoubtedly has some of the most dangerous roads in the U.S., by consciously working hard to avoid road accidents by always remembering to follow safe driving rules, you can reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.

So, when driving in Florida, take extra caution and make sure you:

• Don’t drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Don’t drive when overtired.
• Don’t change lanes unexpectedly.
• Don’t participate in distracted driving activities, such as using your phone or eating while driving.
• Follow the posted speed limit.
• Avoid tailgating.
• Avoid bad weather conditions.

It’s obviously important that you follow safe driving practices when driving in Florida in order to avoid being involved in an accident that injures you and others.

But it’s also important because if you cause an accident that injures another party, you could be held responsible and end up in a court of law. You could have to pay a hefty fine and your license could be taken away. You could even end up in jail.

Under Florida Statute 316.208, all drivers in Florida have the legal and moral responsibility to keep other drivers, as well as passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists, safe on the road. So, make sure you drive safely for your own sake and for the sake of others.