Safe Driving in Florida

Driving in the Sunshine State- Key Facts and Stats

Driving in Florida is unique due to a combination of environmental, demographic, and legal factors. The state’s weather attracts millions of tourists and seasonal residents (“snowbirds”) creating erratic traffic and congestion. Florida also has a high number of elderly drivers, which can influence traffic and accident rates. The state’s flat terrain and frequent thunderstorms contribute to road hazards due to sudden downpours that reduce visibility and increase the risk of hydroplaning. Florida is also known for high-speed roadways, a significant number of distracted driving incidents, and a high number of hit-and-run accidents. These, and other factors, make navigating Florida’s roads a challenging experience. Dr. Deryk Harting of Chambers Medical Group, one of the highest rated car accident medical care programs in the Tampa Bay area, presents some unique facts, statistics, and insights about driving in Florida:

• Pedestrian Involvement: In 2023, pedestrians were involved in over 10,200 crashes in Florida, resulting in more than 779 deaths and over 1,431 serious bodily injuries. These incidents occurred most between 6pm and 9pm. (FLHSMV.GOV)

• Hit-and-Run: Over 180 fatalities occurred in these incidents in 2015. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) “Bad to Worse” campaign aims to reduce these numbers. (FLHSMV.GOV)

• Street Racing: Between 2018 and 2022, Florida issued 6,641 citations for street racing or stunt driving, with the primary age range of offenders being 16-29. (FLHSMV.GOV)

• Traffic Fatalities: In 2022, Florida ranked 15th among U.S. states for fatal crashes per 100,000 people, with 21.1 deaths per 100,000 residents. (SCHWEDLAWFIRM.COM)

• Fatal Speeding Crashes: The state led the nation in fatal crashes where speed was a factor, accounting for nearly 20% of the 108,507 of these incidents nationwide. Florida also topped the list for fatal crashes occurring at speeds of 80 mph or higher, with 1,020 incidents, representing nearly 13% of the total in this category. (WINKNEWS.COM)

• Traffic Safety Rankings: A 2020 report by SmartAsset ranked Florida as the 4th-worst state to drive in, considering factors like traffic fatalities, DUI arrests, and uninsured drivers. (DRIVERSED.COM)

• City Rankings: In a study by Forbes Advisor, Tampa was identified as the 10th worst city for drivers in the U.S., based on metrics such as traffic fatalities and accident rates. (WUSF.ORG)

• Insurance: In January 2025, Bankrate’s data indicated that Florida has the most expensive average annual cost for full-coverage car insurance, averaging $4,171 per year, which is 58% higher than the national average of $2,638. (FLORIDATODAY.COM)

• Tourism Impact: Florida is the #1 state for domestic tourism and #2 for international tourism. This influx of visitors increases traffic volume and congestion while decreasing road safety, especially during peak tourist seasons. (FLHSMV.GOV)

• Weather-Related Incidents: Florida’s summer months and rainy season can lead to hazardous driving situations, including reduced visibility and slippery roads. (FLHSMV.GOV)

• Younger Drivers: In 2022, drivers aged 16-29 were involved in 28.5% of all crashes. (FLHSMV.GOV)

• Senior Drivers: Drivers aged 65 and older accounted for 19.5% of all crashes in 2022. (FLHSMV.GOV)

• License Plate Regulations: Drivers face a $60 fine for altering their license plates, including airbrushing, vinyl-wrapping, or any customization that affects the plate’s reflectivity and safety features. These citations have increased by 98% since 2020. (THE-SUN.COM)

• -Higher Accident Rates: Reports indicate that Florida experiences more accidents between November and December than during any other time of the year, coinciding with the peak of the snowbird season (typically October to April) (COUNTYLINECHIRO.COM)

— This article is written by Deryk Harting, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Florida.

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