Four of the nation’s most dangerous highways run directly through Northwest Florida, based on findings from a study conducted by ValuePenguin. The personal financial research group’s analysis revealed these findings by ranking the top 50 deadliest roads in the country. The rankings were made based upon the number of fatal crashes on each of the highways included in the list. According to ValuePenguin analyst Craig Casazza, ValuePenguin thought it would be both interesting and eye-opening to see “which roads have the most fatalities.”
As it turns out, four of those roads happen to be right here in Northwest Florida. Casazza, who led the study, looked at National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data for fatal crashes between 2011 and 2015. The research team took this data over a four-year period and sorted the incidents by the highway where the accidents took place. From there, their research looking at how many fatalities occurred per 100 miles of highway, and this metric was used to make the rankings.
Florida’s very own Interstate 10 (I-10), which stretches from Florida to California, came in as the fourth deadliest road in the country. I-10 had nearly 55 deaths per 100 miles. Other Florida highways which made the list include:
- Highway 90, which ranked 29th at 21 deaths per 100 miles
- US 98, which was 31st thanks to 20 deaths per 100 miles
- US 29, at 35th place and 14.5 deaths per 100 miles
Based on these findings, it is clear that Florida highways in Northwest Florida are among the least safe in the country. Worse, the dangers appear to be increasing. In 2012, Florida experienced 2,431 fatal crashes, which led state agencies to develop a Strategic Highway Safety Plan that was meant to reduce fatalities by 5 percent each year. Instead, the figures have climbed, with 2,939 fatal crashes in 2015.
It may well be that, despite the best efforts of Florida agencies, it is Florida’s drivers that pose much of the problem. Based on a study from SmartAsset, Florida was found to have the worst drivers in the country. Making matters worse, nearly 1 in 4 drivers in Florida are uninsured.
Combine the dangerous roads, dangerous drivers and high rates of uninsured drivers, and it is clear that Florida is one of the more perilous states for auto accidents. However, if you or a loved one has been in an auto accident in Northwest Florida, you need a Florida auto accident lawyer who will fight for you, helping you recover physically and financially with deserved compensation.
From his Destin office in Northwest Florida, John F. Greene represents auto accident victims in Destin as well as victims across Northwest Florida and the Emerald Coast, including Santa Rosa, Walton, Bay and Okaloosa Counties. John also represents accident victims in the communities of Destin, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and Panama City.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Florida accident, contact accident attorney John F. Greene or call 850-424-6833 to discuss your legal options.
