Three Florida Interstates Listed as Top 10 Most Dangerous Interstates

A recent study identified Interstate 4 as the most deadly interstate in the United States. The study considered over seventy interstates across the country and compiled a list of the most dangerous roadways based upon the number of fatalities per mile.  The I-4 is a 132-mile highway that stretches across the state from Tampa to Daytona Beach, and it has been listed as one of the top ten most dangerous highways since 2010.  However, over the past six years, there have been an average of 1.4 deaths per mile on the interstate.

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Unfortunately for Florida drivers, Interstate 95 and Interstate 10 were also listed on the top ten list. I-95, which runs from Miami to Houlton, Maine, was ranked as #5 with 0.89 fatalities per mile, and I-10, which runs from Jacksonville to Santa Monica, California, was ranked as #7 with 0.85 fatalities per mile.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that traffic fatalities have grown 10.4% during the first six months of 2016 as compared with the same time period 2015. While the study suggested one reason for the fatality increase might be due to the stronger economy, lower gasoline prices and an increased number of drivers on the road.  Another suggestion for the increased number of accidents and traffic fatalities might also be due to the distracted driving epidemic.

Tampa Distracted Driving Accidents

Research study actually revealed that the State of Florida ranks as the second worst state for phone use while driving. In Florida, it remains legal to drive while talking on the phone, and it is only a secondary offense to text and drive.  As a secondary offense, a driver must first be stopped for a separate (primary) traffic violation before he or she can be cited for texting while driving.

Distracted driving does not just include talking or texting on the phone. Distracted driving is any activity that removes a driver’s attention away from the tasking of driving, or anything that causes a driver to take his hand off the steering wheel or his eyes off the road.  It can also include: eating and drinking, talking to passengers, reading, using the navigation system and/or adjusting the radio system.  Distracted driving accidents are occurring too frequently on our roads.  As a general rule, if some activity requires a driver’s attention, it would be wise for the driver to pull over to a safe location.

Experienced Car Accident Injury Attorneys

If you or someone you know has been involved in a distracted driving accident in Tampa, contact the Capaz Law Firm to discuss your potential claim with one of our Tampa car accident lawyers. Call 813-440-2270 to schedule a free case evaluation.