Whether you commute through South Florida or travel here for vacation, it won’t take long for you to figure out how terrible the traffic can be. Although the square mileage of Florida falls somewhere in the middle, it has the third highest population of the 50 states. Add to that the constant flow of vacationers, partiers and unpredictable weather patterns, and you have a recipe for danger.

It should be no surprise, then, that the streets and highways in Florida are places where your life is literally at risk. In fact, the state consistently ranks high among those with the most traffic fatalities, and Miami-Dade tops all other counties. While there are certain factors that increase the likelihood of an accident and steps drivers can take to avoid that risk, there is always a chance that you will encounter another driver who does not have your safety in mind.

The deadliest stretch of road

U.S. Highway 1 covers the entire length of Florida on the East Coast. It is a lovely, scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, and many travelers choose this route to enter South Florida because of its nearness to the coast. Unfortunately, the portion of US-1 that belongs to Miami-Dade County is infamous for its catastrophic and fatal accidents. One study reports that, in a two-year span, US-1 in Miami was the scene of 876 fatalities, many involving the following factors:

  • Drunk driving
  • High rates of speed
  • Distracted driving

The month of March had the most fatal crashes in Florida, perhaps because of the high number of young people arriving for spring break. Since Florida attracts many visitors in the winter months, December and January also typically see an increase in accidents, many of them resulting in fatal injuries.

Protect yourself

Even if a traffic accident does not result in injuries, it can still be a costly inconvenience. However, car accident injuries are often a devastating setback. Moreover, the loss of a loved one in a motor vehicle collision is usually life-changing for the entire family.

You can do your part to stay safe behind the wheel by minding your speed, staying focused on the road and never driving after drinking alcohol. Driving at night or during bad weather also increases the chances of an accident. Nevertheless, even these precautions may not be enough to protect you from the negligence or recklessness of other drivers. If you suffer injuries in an accident, you will want to seek dependable legal advice about your options for pursuing your rights.