Report Ranks The State Of Florida As Most Deadly State For Pedestrians
According to Smart Growth America, the number of pedestrians struck and hit by motorists in America increased by 45% over the decade that lasted from 2010 to 2019, with the last four years of that decade recording the largest number of pedestrian deaths since 1990. Smart Growth America estimates that from 2010 to 2019, more than 53,000 people were hit and killed by motorists in America. In 2019 alone, 6,237 people were killed. This translates to about 17 individuals dying daily.
In terms of which states are the deadliest for pedestrians, Smart Growth America reports that Florida is the deadliest. According to data from 2010 to 2019, the state of Florida recorded 5,893 pedestrian deaths. This is an average of 2.8 annual pedestrian deaths per 100,000. According to Smart Growth America, “Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford” is the deadliest metropolitan area for pedestrians in America. The “Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach” area is in the top twenty deadliest metropolitan areas for pedestrians.
Why Are Pedestrian Accidents So Common in Florida?
Pedestrian accidents occur in Florida because of several reasons. For example, many people attribute the frequency of pedestrian accidents in Florida to the infrastructure. Many cities in the Sunshine State have not been built with pedestrian travel in mind. For instance, in many cases, there are no sidewalks for safe foot traffic. Unfortunately, the lack of sidewalks puts pedestrians at risk.
Other reasons why pedestrian accidents are common in Florida include;
- High population. Florida has the third-highest population in America. This means there are usually more people on the streets of Florida than in most other states, which increases the chances of a pedestrian accident happening.
- Busy intersections. In Florida, pedestrian accidents happen quite a lot at intersections because of blind corners and sharp rises.
- Tourism. Apart from there being a high population in Florida, the Sunshine State receives a lot of tourists every year. It is estimated that over 100 million tourists visit Florida every year. Unfortunately, when people are in unfamiliar areas, the chances of pedestrian accidents happening increase.
It is crucial to note that, even though sometimes pedestrians are partly to blame, the overwhelming majority of pedestrian accidents occur due to other people’s negligence. For example, drivers can cause pedestrian accidents if they drive;
- above the legally allowed speed limit
- while drunk, or
- while distracted
Have You Been in a Pedestrian Accident?
If you’ve been in a Florida pedestrian accident, even one where the other party is only partly to blame, it is crucial that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. Contact one of our Parkland pedestrian accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation and have your cases assessed by a skilled attorney. By working with us, you can focus on recovery while we handle your case.
Resources:
cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html
smartgrowthamerica.org/dangerous-by-design/
