Be Careful! Summer Safety on Florida Roads
T Bone Accidents
June 25, 2025
The Fantastic Almond
June 30, 2025
Summer Safety on Florida Roads
As the summer season kicks off, Florida’s highways and roads become busier and more dangerous. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the state enters the “100 Deadliest Days.” This is a period when crashes, injuries, and fatalities spike, especially among teen drivers. With millions of Floridians and tourists hitting the road for vacations, beach trips, and family outings, summer driving requires extra caution. Dr. Deryk Harting of Chambers Medical Group, one of the highest rated car accident medical care providers in Florida, discusses summer safety on Florida roads.
Florida is home to some of the most dangerous roads in the country. U.S. 19, particularly the stretch running through Pasco and Pinellas counties, sees around 52 fatalities annually. This area recorded more than 160 pedestrian deaths between 2020 and 2022. Interstate 4, running from Tampa to Daytona Beach, is another hazardous roadway that is frequently cited in national studies for its high crash and injury rate. Counties such as Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, Volusia, and Citrus consistently rank among the worst for both cyclist and motorist deaths.
One major contributor to summer crashes is speeding. Data from Florida highway safety agencies shows that almost 10% of fatal crashes between 2019 and 2023 involved speeding. During 2 months in the summer of 2022, over 2,300 speed-related crashes occurred statewide, resulting in 499 deaths and more than 2,300 serious injuries.
Teen drivers are at the most risk during the summer. According to AAA, more than 30% of fatal crashes involving teens happen during the 100 Deadliest Days. In Florida, teen drivers were involved in nearly 20,000 crashes and 83 fatalities during this period in 2024. On average, 7 people die each day in Florida from teen crashes during summer. Speeding, inexperience, and distractions play a major role in these tragic outcomes.
Distracted driving in general remains a serious issue. In 2023, Florida reported nearly 300 deaths linked to distractions behind the wheel. Every 44 seconds, a crash happens on Florida roads, and about 1 in 7 of these involve distracted drivers. Again, teens are particularly at risk with distraction contributing to roughly 60% of their crashes.
Summer weather brings another set of challenges. Extreme heat can turn a parked car into a deadly oven within minutes. Florida leads the nation in child deaths from heatstroke in vehicles, with 91 recorded since 1998. Hot pavement can also damage tires, increasing the risk of blowouts. In 2018, tire related crashes in the state caused 60 fatalities and over 200 serious injuries. Unexpected summer storms present another hazard with heavy rain, poor visibility, and slick roads, which all increase the risk of hydroplaning.
Furthermore, Independence Day –one of summer’s biggest holidays– is also one of the most dangerous times for travel. From July 3rd to 5th during the years 2020 through 2024, Florida saw nearly 5,000 traffic crashes, resulting in over 1,700 injuries and 28 deaths. Some contributing factors to this include increased traffic volume, late night driving, and impaired driving. Alcohol related crashes tend to spike during the holiday period, especially in the evening and early morning hours.
AAA estimates that 57% of Floridians will take a vacation this summer with the majority traveling by car. Simple preparation can go a long way, yet nearly 1 in 5 drivers skip basic vehicle checks before a trip. AAA recommends inspecting tires, brakes, fluids, and air conditioning before hitting the road. Keeping an emergency kit with water, snacks, chargers, and basic tools is also advised. Polarized sunglasses help with glare and wearing shoes instead of flip-flops can improve driving control. For parents, reinforcing Florida’s graduated licensing rules and setting clear driving expectations for teens can be critical during the summer months.
Florida’s roads can be crowded, fast, and full of distractions during the summer. But with a little preparation and awareness, drivers can dramatically reduce their risk of an accident. Whether you are heading to the beach, a theme park, or a downtown destination, safer summer driving starts with smart decisions behind the wheel.
— 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.
