Florida had 17,500 fewer motor vehicle accidents in April than it did during the same month last year, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Crash numbers were down up to 50% in most cities across the state, including in Tampa Bay.
Interestingly, at the start of 2020 car accident numbers were projected to be higher than last year’s. The Tampa Bay Times spoke to Gena Torres, the transportation project manager for the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization, who noted that crash data for January and February of this year showed a 6% increase over previous years. “We were in for a really bad year, I thought," she said.
For better or worse, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home orders statewide promptly put a halt to that trend. Even in March, which typically exhibits a bump in car accident reports that coincide with spring break and other warm-weather travel, motor vehicle crashes were down 25%.
Why Fewer Accidents Doesn’t Mean Safer Roads
Before you are lured into a false sense of security, it is important to remember that the leading factor in the decreased number of crashes is that there are fewer cars on the road. That’s it. Florida road safety has not significantly improved in any way recently, so it would be best to continue to exercise caution while driving—especially as social distancing restrictions are relaxed.
Here are some defensive driving tips you should follow every time you get behind the wheel:
- Always follow other cars at a safe distance (try the three-second rule)
- Slow down—the faster you drive, the longer it takes to stop
- Yield to other cars when in doubt about who has the right of way
- Use your blinkers when you turn or change lanes
- Assume that other drivers will make mistakes
- Remove distractions such as your phone
- Don’t give in to road rage
As life slowly returns to normal, cars are returning to the roads, and it won’t be long before the crash data starts to look more like that of previous years. By driving carefully and defensively, we hope to see fewer crashes become the norm.
Injured in a Tampa Bay car crash? If you or someone you know has been hurt due to the negligence of another driver, you may be able to receive compensation. Contact our Tampa Bay car accident attorney using our online form to schedule your free, confidential consultation.