When it comes to driving in Florida, a few things have changed since 2020. From growing traffic and congestion to changes in DUI laws, there's quite a bit to unpack.
Florida Road Safety in General
Florida generally has a reputation for having bad drivers — but things might be (slightly) improving. A 2020 report by Smart Asset ranked Florida as the fourth-worst state in the nation to drive in. However, in June 2023, when SmartFinancial ranked the best and worst drivers in America, the Sunshine State slid down to 10th place. This ranking was based on each state’s total number of traffic fatalities, DUI arrests, and the percentage of uninsured drivers on the roads.
Despite Florida's required Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSE) training, the state currently has approximately 218 DUI arrests per 100,000 drivers each year. This makes it the 14th highest in the nation. It's also a significant uptick from 2020 when it had the eighth-lowest DUI rate in the country.
Only 79.6% of Florida drivers carry auto insurance, making it one of the least insured states in the nation. However, this is an improvement over 2020, when only 73.3% of Florida drivers had auto insurance coverage.
Given this baseline, let’s take a deeper look at Florida road safety in 2024.
More Traffic on Florida Roads in 2024
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down much of the state, significantly reducing traffic flow. Even when executive orders requiring residents to stay home expired, many who were able to work and study from home chose to continue doing so. Today, Florida’s roads look much different.
In June 2024, transportation analytics firm INRIX ranked Orlando’s I-4 Westbound from Beachline Expressway to Western Beltway as the most congested road in the entire country. Miami was also ranked the 5th most congested urban area in the nation. This marked an 18% increase compared to pre-COVID numbers.
What’s causing these upticks? Not only is the state fully open again, but there’s also been a huge influx of new residents. On average, Florida's population has been growing by around 350,000 to 375,000 people per year. In 2024, the state surpassed 23 million residents for the first time.
Increased Rate of Fatalities in Florida Crashes
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the total number of car crashes increased between 2020 and 2023 from 341,399 to 394,941. The number of fatalities also increased from 3,332 to 3,400. However, this number is projected to decrease slightly in 2024 based on half-year averages.
While this may sound like good news, there's more to it. From 2013 to 2023, the number of traffic fatalities in Florida has increased by 43%. Why? Much of the blame can be placed on higher rates of risky driver behaviors. This includes failing to wear seat belts, speeding, and driving under the influence.
DUI Law Changes
Driving under the influence may now result in stiffer penalties in Florida, thanks to several new laws. In 2024, if you refuse to take a breath, urine, or blood test following a DUI arrest, you’ll automatically have to put an ignition interlock device on all vehicles you own, lease, or regularly use.
Another new law prohibits judges from accepting certain plea deals in DUI cases. This will potentially create more significant penalties for DUIs.
Distracted Driving Issues
In Florida, one in seven crashes are due to distracted driving. In 2023, approximately 300 people died in Florida as a result of distracted drivers. In addition, since 2020, citations for all forms of distracted driving have increased across the state:
Texting while driving: Increased from 4,263 to 6,629
Careless driving: Increased from 104,589 to 158,039
Aggressive careless driving: Increased from 1,621 to 2,228
Failure to maintain a single lane: Increased from 19,124 to 29,946
Drive Safer in 2024
Traffic, accidents, and fatalities are all up in Florida this year, making it even more important to stay safe behind the wheel. Be sure to wear your seatbelt, avoid distracted driving, and never, ever drive under the influence.
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, you may end up in an accident or pulled over. If you happen to get a ticket in Florida, taking Online Traffic School with Driver's Ed may help minimize the impact. Not only can this lead to ticket forgiveness, but you’ll also learn new defensive driving techniques that can help keep you safer on Florida’s roads.
Updated 09/18/2024