Florida is not necessarily a safe place for pedestrians, particularly those walking, jogging, or running around areas where there are also vehicles. Here, we want to examine some of the factors that make Florida one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians. Whether you are a resident or a visitor to the state of Florida, it is important to know and understand these dangers so you can remain safe on or around the roadway.
The Pedestrian Dangers in Florida
According to a 2019 report, every state has grown more dangerous for pedestrians over the last few years. However, out of the most dangerous states for pedestrians, most are in the South. Florida has seen the most pedestrian fatalities of any state between the years 2010 to 2019.
But why are Florida roadways so dangerous for pedestrians?
Don Scott, the executive director of Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization, says that “A lot of our local roads don’t have sidewalks and probably never will once we start talking about the cost of it.”
In fact, this is a sentiment that many individuals throughout the state of Florida feel. The cities around this state are simply not designed with pedestrian safety in mind. Some of the biggest safety problems can include:
A lack of sidewalks
A lack of pedestrian crosswalks
Poorly functioning crosswalk equipment
Additionally, a significant number of pedestrian accidents occurred due to the careless or negligent actions of drivers on the roadway. Drivers often ignore pedestrians or fail to see pedestrians in time to stop. The issue of pedestrian safety became readily apparent during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when many individuals began to get outside and explore the areas around their homes more. The reality is that the streets in Florida, and indeed throughout the nation, or rather dangerous by design. Our roadway systems are designed to get cars from one place to another quickly while keeping individuals inside of vehicles safe. This has been referred to as being “dangerous by design.”
Pedestrian safety seems to have been an afterthought. In 2020, the total amount of miles traveled by vehicles went down, but the number of deaths caused by people walking increased.
In the state of Florida, the most dangerous place for pedestrians is Daytona Beach. However, in the overall top 20 dangerous by design cities study, Florida accounted for seven of the cities on the list. That study says that Florida is the second worst place for pedestrian safety in the country.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Florida for Help
If you or somebody you care about has sustained an injury as a pedestrian, reach out to a skilled St. Petersburg pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. When you have an attorney by your side, you will have an advocate ready to conduct a full investigation into the incident to help uncover the evidence necessary to prove liability. You need compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages, so let a legal advocate get you through the settlement or trial process.
