A report titled “Dangerous by Design 2021,” released by Smart Growth America on March 10, 2021, finds that Florida ranks as the most dangerous state for pedestrians. The number of pedestrian deaths in Florida has risen steadily in the past 10 years.
70% Of The Deadliest Areas In the US For Pedestrians Are In Florida
In fact, 7 of the 10 deadliest metropolitan areas in the United States for pedestrians are in Florida:
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL – No. 1
- Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL – No. 4
- Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL – No. 5
- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL – No. 6
- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL – No. 8
- Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL – No. 9
- Jacksonville, FL – No. 10
Possible Reasons For So Many Pedestrian Accidents And Those Affected The Most
The Smart Growth report cites rapid, sprawling growth in Florida as the main cause of so many fatalities for people who walk, and for traffic-related deaths overall. Additionally, the elderly, people of color, and those in low-income areas are nearly 40% more likely to be struck and killed by a motorist. This is often because fewer people in these groups are able to drive or get a ride, and they must therefore walk to the store, work or school, often having to walk along high-traffic roads with no sidewalks or crosswalks.
State And Local Governments Need To Do More To Protect Pedestrians
Despite efforts by the state and local governments over the past several years to install more safety measures such as crosswalks, traffic signals and sidewalks, the number of walkers being hit by cars and other motor vehicles has not decreased. Given the high number of auto accidents in Florida overall (many of them caused by speeding, driving under the influence, texting and other negligent behavior), coupled with the fact that over 20% of Florida motorists have no auto insurance, Florida legislators should consider stricter penalties for traffic infractions and insurance violations.
At our firm, we regularly represent victims of auto accidents involving pedestrians, either for negligence or wrongful death. Ahava Law Group represents personal injury, auto accident, slip and fall, nursing home, defective products and medical malpractice clients throughout the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas. Ahava Law Group is a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm with offices in St. Petersburg, Brandon, Clearwater and Tampa, along with an office in Boston, Massachusetts. Attorneys Jovita Ahava and Ed Ahava have over 40 years of combined experience in injury law, litigation, and civil trials. Attorney Jovita Ahava also speaks Polish and is active in the local Polish communities. For more information on Ahava Law Group and our personal injury services, please visit www.AhavaLawGroup.com or contact us at (888) 554-9998 or Assistant@AhavaLawGroup.com.
