Florida Consistently Tops The List Of The Deadliest States For Pedestrians
According to the FLHSMV’s Crash Dashboard, there were 9,450 pedestrian crashes in 2021 that resulted in 7,285 injuries and 817 deaths. Additionally, based on preliminary data from January 2022, Florida saw 321 pedestrian accidents that caused 268 injuries and 17 deaths. This is a massive problem because the Sunshine State has consistently topped the list of the most dangerous states for pedestrians in the country.
The Dangerous by Design report by Smart Growth America found that nine metropolitan areas in Florida were included in the top 13 most dangerous areas for pedestrians:
- 1st – Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
- 4th – Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville
- 5th – Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach
- 6th – North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton
- 8th – Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
- 9th – Lakeland-Winter Haven
- 10th – Jacksonville
- 11th – Cape Coral-Fort Myers
- 13th – Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach
The report also found that between 2010 and 2019, 5,893 pedestrians were killed in Florida, giving the state a pedestrian danger index (PDI) of 201.4. Take note that a PDI of 63.3 is the national average. PDI measures how fatal it is for pedestrians to walk according to the number of pedestrians hit and killed by drivers while they were walking.
What Makes Florida Roadways So Dangerous?
The report indicates that local and state transportation agencies prioritize speed to avoid delays instead of placing a higher value on pedestrian safety. They’ve spent the past years blaming pedestrians for the crashes, running ineffective educational campaigns, and focusing on enforcement when they should’ve focused on redesigning these dangerous roads for the safety of all road users.
Likewise, distracted driving, reckless driving, DUIs, and speeding are among the leading causes of pedestrian accidents.
Who Is Most At-Risk?
People of color, older individuals, and pedestrians in low-income areas are unfortunately overrepresented in severe and deadly pedestrian crashes, even after accounting for differences in walking rates and population size. Between 2010 and 2019, Black individuals were killed and hit by drivers at an 82% higher rate than non-Hispanic and White individuals. For Alaskan Natives and Indigenous Americans, this disparity is up by 221%
Individuals 50 years old and older, particularly those older than 75, are also overrepresented in these fatalities. These age groups typically have issues with moving, hearing, and seeing, and these alarming trends indicate that the state and local governments are not devoting sufficient attention to the personal needs of older individuals when they design our roadways.
In addition, individuals in lower-income communities are killed in pedestrian crashes more often. Sadly, this doesn’t come as a surprise because lower-income areas normally don’t have marked crosswalks, sidewalks, and road designs to support slower and safer speeds that higher-income areas have.
Contact A Skilled Tampa Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
If you suffered serious injuries or a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, you have the right to seek proper compensation for your losses. Our Tampa pedestrian accident attorney can determine who caused the accident and who must be held liable for your injuries. Contact Hancock Injury Attorneys today and schedule a free consultation by calling 813-915-1110 or contacting us online.