According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were nearly 2,400 people who died in car accidents in Jupiter and elsewhere throughout the state in 2011. The FLHSMV is already patting themselves on the back for the slight reduction in the number of traffic fatalities from 2010 to 2011. The truth of the matter is that while fatalities have decreased by about 70, we’re still losing far too many lives on our roadways. Car accident fatalities may have gone down, but a number of other traffic accident fatalities increased significantly. Still, the 2,400 fatalities we saw in 2011 was the lowest number of traffic accident fatalities on record since 1978.
“While the six-year downward trend is encouraging, we continue our strategic efforts to drive down the number of crashes in Florida and the number of injuries and fatalities that come as a result,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Julie L. Jones.
Our Jupiter car accident lawyers understand that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among residents between the ages of 4 and 34 in the United States. And despite the decrease in fatal car accidents reported by some areas in 2011, the truth of the matter is there are still too many people killed in these needless accidents. Also, while the number of car accidents may have decreased, Florida continues to be the most dangerous state in the country for fatal pedestrian accidents. We’re asking for help from residents to help to make these numbers even lower. Your safe driving habits can help to increase roadway safety.
According to the Director of the Florida Highway Patrol, Col. David Brierton, he and his law enforcement team is working at a strategic approach to make our roadways safe for everyone. Through these enforcement efforts, the Department is helping to educate drivers and advance the use of safe-driving technology. Still, the most effective way to help to prevent accidents on our roadways is to practice safe, alert and defensive driving habits.
According to FLHSMV, there were nearly 340,000 car accidents in the state of Florida in 2010. These are the most recent, detailed accident statistics available in the state. Complete statistics for 2011 are not yet available. This means our state witnessed more than 640 car accidents every day during 2010. Of these accidents, more than 2,440 people died during the year. In addition to those fatalities, another 124,850 were injured. Yes, there were fewer accidents in 2011 than in 2010, but that doesn’t mean we can afford to lose vigilance.
For example, pedestrian fatalities increased by 4 percent just in the last year. And pedestrians weren’t the only ones to see an increase during this time. The number of bicycle accidents and injured bicyclists increased. Also the number of property damage accidents increased. Teen driving fatalities, meanwhile, remained stagnant.
If you or someone you love needs an attorney following a car accident in Jupiter, Riviera, Vero Beach, Hollywood, St. Lucie or in any of the surrounding areas, contact a personal injury lawyer at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC. Call 1-800-561-7777 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney today.
More Blog Entries:
Intersections a Top Spot for Car Accidents in Palm Beach Gardens and Elsewhere, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, January 5, 2012
Hands-Free Just as Dangerous as Hand-Held Cell Phones in Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Riviera and Elsewhere, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, December 30, 2011