Shocking Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Statistics

Fort Lauderdale is one of the most populated cities in South Florida, and with that comes a variety of expectations for people who might want to live here. That includes expecting the rents to be high and the roads to be congested, and Fort Lauderdale is also known for its shockingly high rate of car accidents. While only 165,000 individuals actually reside in Fort Lauderdale, the city welcomes roughly 12 million tourists a year, not to mention the Canadian “snowbirds” who visit during the winter.

Needless to say, this makes for a crowded mix of tourists and everyday commuters on highways and local roads. While the chances of an accident occurring are present in all Florida cities, Fort Lauderdale famously has some of the most dangerous roadways in the state and the numbers to support it.

Fort Lauderdale Accident Statistics

The Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles reported more than 41,000 auto accidents in Broward County in 2019. Of those collisions, more than 5,400 occurred in Fort Lauderdale, the second-highest number throughout Florida cities only behind Miami.

That number might seem low for a city with more than 180,000 people living in it, but the car accidents in Fort Lauderdale are deadlier than in the rest of the state. Between 2008 and 2017, the Smart Growth America organization conducted a study and found that nearly 5,500 pedestrians were killed because of auto accidents in Florida. Of those fatalities, 28% came from West Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties.

Most Dangerous Roads in Fort Lauderdale

Drivers and pedestrians alike should be more cautious when they are at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard, as well as Atlantic Boulevard and U.S. 1. Both intersections see thousands of accidents a year. This could be related to the close proximity to the beach, since drivers may be distracted and may not see the car in front of them stop or a pedestrian crossing. Whenever you cross the street, it’s best to take a few extra seconds to ensure all vehicles are stopped.

Fort Lauderdale drivers also need to be aware of the most dangerous roads to keep themselves safe. Highways and interstates, such as I-95 south, Everglades Parkway, and the Florida Turnpike, are great ways to get around South Florida, but with other drivers traveling at dangerous speeds, accidents can happen quickly.

The Campaign for Safer South Florida Roadways

Local officials have become aware of Fort Lauderdale’s car accident issues and have taken action to help make the roads safer. The result is Vision Zero Fort Lauderdale. This campaign is aimed at making city streets safe again with the ultimate goal of having zero motor vehicle fatalities in one year.

They plan on doing this by improving the environments for biking, driving, and walking and implementing information programs that promote best practices. Since its implementation in 2015, there has already been a decrease in the number of car accident fatalities, but they still have a ways to go.

Get Help from A Seasoned Attorney

Despite the best efforts of local officials, car accidents continue to happen on South Florida streets. In the event that you’re ever injured by the negligent acts of a third party, contact the Law Offices of McCullough and Leboff. Our team has more than 22 years of legal experience and a passion for helping accident victims recover the funds they’re owed. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

How many car accidents were there in Broward County in 2019?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles reports more than 41,300 car accidents in Broward County in 2017, the second-highest number of car accidents among all Florida counties that year. Fort Lauderdale had 5,400 crashes in 2017, and 26 resulted in deaths.

What are Florida’s statistics on pedestrian accidents?

According to data gathered in Smart Growth America’s 2019 Dangerous by Design report, 5,433 pedestrians were killed between 2008 and 2017 in the state of Florida. Twenty-eight percent (1,549) of those deaths occurred in the three major South Florida counties: West Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward. These statistics have led to Fort Lauderdale getting the second-highest rate of pedestrian accidents in the nation.

How many car accidents occur in Fort Lauderdale?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles reported an average of 41,391 car accidents in Broward County in between 2016- 2018. That’s the second-highest number of car accidents among Florida counties behind Miami-Dade County. Fort Lauderdale had about 5,400 crashes in 2017, 2,100 of which resulted in injuries and 26 resulted in deaths.