June 10, 2010 – Florida – The Sunshine State was recently given the rather unappealing designation of being home to 2 of the most dangerous highways in the country.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that The Daily Beast named I-95 in Florida as the nation’s most deadly road. The 3 rd deadliest on the list was I-4 in Florida. According to information from The Daily Beast and the Florida Highway Patrol, between 2004 and 2008, 999 people died in fatal auto accidents on I-4 and I-95 in Florida.
Using accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and comparing those figures against the number of miles covered by each highway-382 miles of I-95 and 132 miles of I-4- The Daily Beast determined the following fatality rates for these Florida highways:
- 1.73 deaths per mile of I-95; and
- 1.58 deaths per mile of 1-4.
These figures may come as no surprise for Florida drivers who frequent these congested roadways and witness serious car accidents on a near-daily basis. Some officials from the Florida Highway Patrol have said that while the figures are alarming, critics and drivers must consider how many millions of motorists take to those highways each year without incident.
When facing such frightening odds for experiencing a serious or even fatal Florida car accident, a driver’s best bet is to drive defensively:
- Remain alert;
- Follow all posted speed limits;
- Do not engage in aggressive driving in any form;
- Adjust speed for weather and road conditions;
- Leave a safe following distance between your vehicle and the car ahead of you;
- Never drive while intoxicated ; and
- Eliminate all driver distractions, particularly texting while driving.
If you have been involved in a serious crash on I-95 in Florida or lost a loved one in a fatal Florida car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation in a crash claim. A Florida car accident lawyer at Lilly, O’Toole & Brown can help you determine who is liable for your loss and fight for the compensation that you and your family need and deserve to move on with your lives. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation; 863-533-5525.
