New decades can bring new technologies, events, and positive developments. However, on the other side of the coin are negative developments and sad statistics. One unfortunate trend that began in 2022 is a rise in car accident fatalities. 2022 saw the largest spike in the number of car accident deaths across America since the 1940s – and back then, you weren’t even required to wear a seatbelt. The widespread adoption of seatbelt laws, vehicle safety innovations, heavier regulations and penalties for driving under the influence, and lower speed limits are all reasons why the rate of car accident deaths had been steadily trending downwards for the last half century. Sadly, traffic related fatalities – which have always been higher in Florida than the rest of the nation – saw a significant spike during the pandemic, and have remained high since we coasted into the 2020s.
Traffic Related Fatalities Spike Over The Pandemic
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration put out a report that almost 43,000 people lost their lives in car and truck accidents over 2021, which marks an increase of 10.5% over 2020. 2020 saw the highest death rate in the last fifteen years, while car accident death rates went up by another record spike – nearly 20 percent – in 2019. The reason for such dramatic increases in car accident fatalities is difficult to pinpoint, but researchers are pointing at a catastrophic mix of phone use and faster, more reckless driving.
Florida is known for sunshine, beautiful coastlines, diverse communities… and traffic accidents. So it’s not surprising that Florida saw a particularly high rate of distraction-related automobile deaths over the last few years. (The only state to trump Florida’s record-shattering traffic accident numbers was Texas, who held the dubious title of having the most distraction-related automobile accidents in 2020). To try and lower the rates of deadly Florida car crashes, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Florida Highway Patrol initiated a campaign targeting Florida motorists during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The campaign was supposed to inform Florida motorists on how dangerous it is to drive distracted. With over 1,000 distracted driving crashes per week across Florida in 2021 alone, the reminder was more than overdue.
Other Reasons For Florida Traffic Fatalities
Along with more distracted drivers ranging recklessly on Florida roads, the increase in electric cars (which accelerate much faster than internal combustion vehicles) created greater risks for bicyclists and pedestrians, who may have less warning of an approaching electric vehicle as it makes less noise. Plus, there’s an all-time high of heavy vehicles with greater horsepower on the roadways. The likelihood of serious injuries or death significantly increases with heavy fast vehicles, and the average horsepower of a vehicle is practically twice what it used to be twenty years ago.
Contact Us Today
With traffic related fatalities on the rise, Florida drivers need to be more careful than ever. If you or somebody you love was involved in a Florida car accident, having an experienced auto accident lawyer on your side will help you navigate the complex legal process towards getting the compensation you may be entitled to. Call BCN Law Firm today for a free initial consultation.