Many of today’s drivers regard driving as a competitive sport. Everyday driving isn’t the Indianapolis 500. Drivers don’t get the concept of merging traffic and think driving on ice and snow is similar to driving in the rain.
According to Science Direct 80% of those surveyed consider themselves to be better than average drivers. However, statistics show otherwise.
What Makes Bad Drivers?
We live in an aggressive driving culture. Drivers rush to get to their destination, commute longer distances, get impatient in heavy traffic, and make bad decisions, leading to accidents.
Two of the most significant problems are drivers running red lights and driving too fast on slick roads. The National Safety Council offers roadway safety resources for drivers, including information on distracted driving, impaired driving, teen drivers, and older drivers.
Which Florida Cities Have the Worst Drivers?
In 2022 there 396,492 auto collisions in the state of Florida. Florida often ranks as one of the states with the worst drivers, with three cities in the top five, including Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa. Statistics indicate that 20% of Florida drivers don’t have insurance, more than 50% higher than in all cities in the study.
Jacksonville has the worst drivers in the country. The number of alcohol-related driving deaths is higher than in any city in the country, at nearly 70%. Two interstates and four major highways intersect in Jacksonville. It’s essential to follow road safety in such a high-traffic area. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t follow the rules of the road. Jacksonville drivers are notorious for not following basic safety rules, including using turn signals. A contributing factor is I-95, which runs through Metro Jacksonville. Fatalities due to traffic accidents on I-95 are 65% higher than any city in the Science Direct study.
Orlando has a high rate of aggressive drivers, accounting for more traffic accidents during the summer tourist season. Tourists visiting Orlando’s theme parks focus on taking pictures with their phones rather than watching the road. Drivers navigating highways they aren’t familiar with and more teen drivers on the streets during the summer account for higher accident rates in tourist areas like Orlando.
According to the Department of Transportation, rain and hydroplaning cause 21% more hard-braking accidents than the national average. Orlando has more than 120 days of precipitation each year. Many drivers don’t slow down on wet pavement and lose control easier. Orlando has more than 9% per 100,000 more traffic fatalities than other cities.
Tampa has ten fatal car accidents for every 100,000 residents each year. The fatality rate is the fifth highest in the country and the second highest in Florida. It’s not clear what the primary cause of the fatalities is. High-risk drivers are responsible for many of the accidents on Orlando’s highways.
Two contributing factors are snowbirds who flock to Florida each winter and young drivers who are too focused on their phones to watch the road. End Distracted Driving offers resources for drivers including presentations to educate adults and teens about distracted driving dangers. When driving on Florida’s highways, remember to maintain a safe distance between vehicles, don’t exceed the speed limit, always use your turn signals, and don’t drive distracted.
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