Florida Fatal Accident Study:

Florida’s Deadliest Roads and Fatal Accident Statistics

Updated: September 5, 2024

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Map of Deadliest Roads in Florida

To date, Florida is one of the most populous states in the U.S., only surpassed by California and Texas. Out of Florida’s 275,376 miles of road, MoneyGeek analyzed 2,933 roads to determine which were deadliest to drivers. We looked at the state’s 8,965 fatal accidents from 2018–2020 — the most recent years of available data.

Our analysis also examined factors that contribute to fatal accidents in Florida, including speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving and time of year. Additionally, MoneyGeek analyzed fatal crash data for all of Florida's counties and identified the deadliest stretch of road in each.

Key Findings

  • US-19 from San Marco Drive to Denton Avenue is the deadliest stretch of road in Florida. The road is located in Pasco County and had 28 fatal accidents.

  • Drunk driving contributed to more fatal accidents than speeding and distracted driving combined. In Florida, fatal accidents caused by drunk driving was up 9% since 2019. Distracted driving is a growing issue: there were 14% more fatal accidents due to distracted driving since 2019. In contrast, deadly speeding-related accidents decreased by 5%.

  • Florida's roads have become deadlier: from 2019 to 2020, roads in Florida saw 5% more fatal accidents and 148 more fatalities.

  • December had more fatal accidents than any other month, with 848 fatal accidents. March is the second-deadliest month for Florida drivers with 824 fatal accident for the three years studied.

  • March is the worst month for deadly crashes involving distracted driving, while December has the highest number of drunk-driving related fatal accidents. Fatal accidents related to speeding occur most in May.

  • Miami-Dade had more fatal accidents than any other county. US-1 was its deadliest road.

10 Deadliest Road Stretches in Florida


  • 1. US-19 from San Marco Drive to Denton Avenue
    Cities:Pasco County
    US-19 from San Marco Drive to Denton AvenuePasco County

    • 28Fatal Accidents
    • 28fatalities
    • 6Crashes Per Mile
    • 4.9 milesdistance
    • (28.32408056, -82.69936111)start
    • (28.38978056, -82.66896944)end
    • [ 9 11 15 19 20 30 44 60 68 72 76 79 86 87 91 92 98 106 114 116 123 124 127 135 148 157 158 162]points
    • 160ordering
    • {'Not Applicable'}localities
    • {'Pasco'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • US-19TWAY_ID

  • 2. US-41 from 30th Avenue East to Pearl Avenue
    Cities:Bradenton
    US-41 from 30th Avenue East to Pearl AvenueBradenton

    • 19Fatal Accidents
    • 20fatalities
    • 4Crashes Per Mile
    • 4.4 milesdistance
    • (27.47456667, -82.56301944)start
    • (27.41133056, -82.57173056)end
    • [ 5 9 11 12 25 34 46 50 66 99 108 113 153 176 177 191 198 218 221]points
    • 82ordering
    • {'Bradenton', 'Not Applicable'}localities
    • {'Manatee'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • US-41TWAY_ID

  • 3. I-95 from Hypoluxo Road to Woolbright Road
    Cities:Lantana | Boynton Beach
    I-95 from Hypoluxo Road to Woolbright Road Lantana | Boynton Beach

    • 17Fatal Accidents
    • 18fatalities
    • 4Crashes Per Mile
    • 4.0 milesdistance
    • (26.57231944, -80.0696)start
    • (26.5145, -80.06983889)end
    • [ 24 66 87 104 112 124 130 144 150 153 164 171 183 190 230 249 275]points
    • 73ordering
    • {'Lantana', 'Boynton Beach', 'Not Applicable'}localities
    • {'Palm Beach'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • I-95TWAY_ID

  • 4. I-95 from Exit 27 to Exit 32
    Cities:Fort Lauderdale | Sunrise | Oakland Park
    I-95 from Exit 27 to Exit 32Fort Lauderdale | Sunrise | Oakland Park

    • 17Fatal Accidents
    • 17fatalities
    • 3Crashes Per Mile
    • 5.0 milesdistance
    • (26.12161667, -80.16896667)start
    • (26.19196389, -80.15148889)end
    • [ 53 58 61 62 70 78 85 125 126 128 189 193 197 208 218 260 277]points
    • 58ordering
    • {'Fort Lauderdale', 'Sunrise', 'Oakland Park', 'Not Applicable'}localities
    • {'Broward'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • I-95TWAY_ID

  • 5. US-19 from Queensboro Avenue South to 54th Avenue North
    Cities:St. Petersburg | Largo
    US-19 from Queensboro Avenue South to 54th Avenue NorthSt. Petersburg | Largo

    • 17Fatal Accidents
    • 17fatalities
    • 4Crashes Per Mile
    • 4.7 milesdistance
    • (27.75279722, -82.67931944)start
    • (27.82108889, -82.67961111)end
    • [ 0 6 7 13 18 22 37 47 53 58 82 95 111 117 128 139 151]points
    • 61ordering
    • {'St Petersburg', 'Largo', 'Saint Petersburg', 'Not Applicable'}localities
    • {'Pinellas'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • US-19TWAY_ID

  • 6. I-95 from Exit 4 to Exit 9
    Cities:Miami
    I-95 from Exit 4 to Exit 9Miami

    • 15Fatal Accidents
    • 19fatalities
    • 3Crashes Per Mile
    • 4.7 milesdistance
    • (25.81593056, -80.206425)start
    • (25.88408056, -80.20888056)end
    • [ 9 39 52 68 69 108 146 152 155 161 180 247 265 272 280]points
    • 48ordering
    • {'Miami', 'Not Applicable'}localities
    • {'Miami-Dade'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • I-95TWAY_ID

  • 7. US-441 from Northwest 181st Street to Polk Street
    Cities:Miami Gardens | Hollywood | Miramar | Miami
    US-441 from Northwest 181st Street to Polk StreetMiami Gardens | Hollywood | Miramar | Miami

    • 15Fatal Accidents
    • 18fatalities
    • 3Crashes Per Mile
    • 4.9 milesdistance
    • (25.94050833, -80.20501667)start
    • (26.01211111, -80.20762222)end
    • [ 4 7 9 42 49 67 78 109 115 117 135 141 152 155 164]points
    • 46ordering
    • {'Miami Gardens', 'Hollywood', 'Miramar', 'Miami'}localities
    • {'Miami-Dade', 'Broward'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • US-441TWAY_ID

  • 8. US-19 from High Street to Embassy Boulevard
    Cities:Port Richey | New Port Richey
    US-19 from High Street to Embassy BoulevardPort Richey | New Port Richey

    • 15Fatal Accidents
    • 16fatalities
    • 4Crashes Per Mile
    • 4.2 milesdistance
    • (28.23498611, -82.72830278)start
    • (28.293675, -82.70916944)end
    • [ 17 29 32 51 52 57 63 81 88 100 110 113 136 138 154]points
    • 53ordering
    • {'Port Richey', 'New Port Richey', 'Not Applicable'}localities
    • {'Pasco'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • US-19TWAY_ID

  • 9. I-95 from Exit 20 to Exit 16
    Cities:Pembroke Pines | Hollywood | Hallandale Beach | Miami
    I-95 from Exit 20 to Exit 16Pembroke Pines | Hollywood | Hallandale Beach | Miami

    • 15Fatal Accidents
    • 15fatalities
    • 3Crashes Per Mile
    • 4.4 milesdistance
    • (26.01440833, -80.16685833)start
    • (25.95216667, -80.17976667)end
    • [ 10 43 45 71 100 103 114 140 165 176 232 254 256 258 266]points
    • 52ordering
    • {'Pembroke Pines', 'Hollywood', 'Not Applicable', 'Hallandale', 'Hallandale Beach', 'Miami'}localities
    • {'Miami-Dade', 'Broward'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • I-95TWAY_ID

  • 10. US-90 from Meadowbrook Boulevard to Parental Home Road
    Cities:Jacksonville
    US-90 from Meadowbrook Boulevard to Parental Home RoadJacksonville

    • 15Fatal Accidents
    • 15fatalities
    • 3Crashes Per Mile
    • 4.5 milesdistance
    • (30.28709722, -81.50263333)start
    • (30.28835833, -81.57811389)end
    • [ 7 8 28 42 56 58 69 83 87 89 101 112 116 117 120]points
    • 50ordering
    • {'Jacksonville', 'Not Applicable'}localities
    • {'Duval'}counties
    • TRUEintersect
    • US-90TWAY_ID

Drunk Driving Involved in 21.2% of Fatal Accidents

Of the 8,965 fatal crashes in Florida between 2018 and 2020, 1,903 were connected to drunk driving.

Drunk driving was involved in 21.2% of the state’s fatal accidents, outnumbering those involving both speeding and distracted driving combined.

Having alcohol in your blood can severely affect your behavior behind the wheel and endangers yourself and others. You can be visibly impaired, even if your blood alcohol concentration is only 0.2%. If it reaches 0.8%, the state of Florida officially considers you legally intoxicated.

The costs of drunk driving are numerous, even when it doesn’t involve a fatal accident. A DUI charge can result in restricted driving privileges and even possible jail time. Finding cheap car insurance after a DUI can also be challenging; you need to carry FR-44 insurance in Florida if you have a DUI, which is more expensive than other types of coverage.

Speeding Is a Factor in 8.9% of Fatal Crashes

Speeding-related crashes made up 8.9% of fatal accidents in Florida. That translates to 797 crashes between 2018 and 2020.

There are multiple consequences for driving above the allowable speed limit in Florida. These include increased difficulty in making quick stops, often leading drivers to lose control of their cars. It results in a high likelihood of severe injuries or even fatal car accidents.

Distracted Driving Contributed to 8.1% of Fatal Accidents

Distracted driving was involved in 726 of the total fatal car crashes in Florida from 2018 to 2020. To lower these numbers, Florida enacted a hands-free law in 2019. Law enforcement officers started apprehending and issuing citations to drivers caught texting while behind the wheel on January 1, 2020.

December Had More Fatal Accidents Than Any Other Month

In the three years studied, December had the highest number of fatal accidents. There were 848 crashes in that state recorded that month resulting in fatalities — that’s 9.5% of Florida’s fatal crashes. March had the second-highest number of fatal accidents (9.2%), followed by October (8.8%).

Driving Safely Protects You, Others and Your Wallet

Being a safe driver comes with multiple benefits. Aside from making Florida’s roadways safer, you also ensure fewer expenses in the long term. But sometimes accidents happen, regardless of how many precautions you take.

This reality makes having insurance essential. A full coverage car insurance policy could help protect you, your car and your family against possible costs of damages if such an unfortunate event occurs.

Drivers pay an average of $2,208 per year for full coverage car insurance in Florida, but your premium is subject to change depending on where you live. For instance, auto insurance in Hialeah costs an annual average rate of $2,812 for coverage. In comparison, a car insurance policy in Tallahassee is $1,331 less — similar coverage in that city only costs $1,481. Meanwhile, auto insurance in Jacksonville — Florida’s most populous city — is $1,739 per year, on average.

Car insurance companies use a variety of factors to set premiums. These include your age, driving history and credit standing. The best way to find cheap car insurance in Florida is to gather and compare quotes from multiple carriers.

Fatal Accidents and Most Dangerous Roads: County Breakdown

From 2018 to 2020, the five counties with the highest numbers of deadly crashes made up one-third of all accidents resulting in deaths in Florida. That’s 3,115 accidents recorded from the three most recent years of available data.

Among Florida's 67 counties, Miami-Dade was the site of the highest number of fatal crashes of any county, with 849 accidents in total. Most of these occurred along US-1 and involved speeding or drunk driving.

Methodology

MoneyGeek analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) crash fatality data from 2018, 2019 and 2020. Currently, 2020 is the latest data available in the system.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


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