How do you feel about the drivers you share the road with in Florida? During your daily commute, would you say that they are relatively safe or do they create a lot of unnecessary risks?
Earlier this year, a study came out claiming that Florida was the 16th best state to drive in. This did surprise some people, who would not have expected it to make the top 10. If you feel that way, it’s important to look deeper into the specific rankings.
Rush-hour traffic
For instance, Florida only ranked 41st when you look at how much rush-hour traffic congestion exists in the state. Traffic congestion often leads to car accidents, especially rear-end accidents, chain-reaction accidents and road rage accidents. These are going to be more likely in Florida than in most other states.
The traffic fatality rate
This is borne out when you look at the fatality rate, where Florida ranks 39th overall. This ranking certainly puts them in the bottom half of the states. Remember, since it is a rate, Florida’s relatively large population – when compared to other states – does not factor in.
Why did Florida rank so highly overall? Some of the factors in the study weren’t related to road safety. For instance, Florida ranked fourth in car dealerships per capita and fifth in auto repair shops per capita. While it may be convenient to be able to easily find dealerships and repair shops, factors like these can artificially inflate the overall ranking.
If you’ve been involved in an accident in Florida that was caused by another negligent driver, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.