Florida Stands Out as Most Dangerous State for Bicyclists

Bicyclists are more likely to be killed in Florida than in any other state, according to a recent report from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The top four cities that were the most dangerous for cyclists were all in the State of Florida. Of all the major metropolitan areas surveyed, the Tampa-St. Petersburg area topped the rankings with 7.0 per-capita cyclist deaths, followed by Jacksonville, Orlando and Miami respectively.

On a national level, 840 cyclists were killed by motor vehicle accidents in 2016 according to the NHTSA. This number is the highest it has been since 1991. The number of cyclist deaths have gone up 35 percent from 2010.

One interesting trend from these figures involves the top three states listed in the report. These states include Florida, California and Texas. These three states alone account for 40 percent of total cyclist deaths in the country. However, these three states only account for 27 percent of the national population.

Florida reported a per-capita cyclist death rate that was 60 percent higher than the second state in the rankings, California. The rate reported for Florida was 6.2 deaths per 100,000 people.

What makes Florida such a dangerous state for cyclists? Many factors play into why the per-capita deaths are so high. One major factor has to do with the number of tourists who routinely come to our state. Many of these tourists are unfamiliar with the roads, which can lead to accidents.

Another major cause for the high per-capita cyclists deaths involves the number of elderly drivers on the road. Densely populated areas also lead to a higher risk of accidents.

Driving under the influence of alcohol has played a part in a number of bicycle accidents. However, it should not be assumed that drivers alone are to blame for driving under the influence. A surprising number of people are seriously injured or killed riding their bicycles while drunk. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 22 percent of the cyclists and 12 percent of drivers involved in these accidents had blood alcohol content levels of at least 0.08.

Additionally, texting while driving has led to many cyclist deaths and car accidents in general.

Florida cyclists often do not know that they are entitled to insurance benefits if they are injured in a crash with a car or truck. We recommend that any Florida cyclist who owns a car to purchase Uninsured Motorist Coverage. This will provide valuable coverage if they are in an accident.

FREE CONSULTATION WITH A MIAMI BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident in Florida it is very important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. For over 25 years, our firm has represented families of people injured and killed across the State of Florida in bicycle accidents. If you have been involved in a traffic accident in Florida while riding a bicycle, contact us today and speak with an experienced Miami bicycle accident attorney toll free 1-866-597-4529, local 305-441-0440, or by email. We offer a free initial consultation at your home, office, hotel or hospital. Call us today, we are ready to help.