Speeding and aggressive driving are the leading causes of crashes in Florida. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 10,000 aggressive driving deaths every year in America.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) says roadway accidents and injuries are on the rise due to aggressive driving. The FDOT reports a rise of more than 19% in crashes between 2020 and 2021, with an almost 14 percent increase in fatal wrecks. The FDOT has begun a public information campaign called “Target Zero” focusing on driver behavior. They are targeting drivers via social media, and using innovations like offering QR codes with calming music and ideas aimed slowing drivers down.
Reducing the number of fatalities on Florida highways to zero will be a difficult undertaking, especially given the state’s growing population and heavy construction. “The campaign is launching to reduce fatalities, especially in those areas of construction zones. We’ve had a high rise in the number of fatalities,” said FHP Lieutenant Indiana Miranda. “We’ve seen a big rise in fatalities since after the pandemic since we have more people on the road,” said Lt. Miranda.
Reducing Aggressive Driving
The FDOT hopes the Target Zero campaign will reduce aggressive driving through a number of unique approaches. The agency says the campaign “is a data-driven, multi-faceted behavior change initiative that helps implement educational campaigns for emphasis areas within the Florida Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), the state’s strategy to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities across the transportation system.”
“Target Zero takes many existing safety programs or campaigns a critical step further by focusing on identifying behaviors that contribute to crashes and understanding why those behaviors are occurring, identifying who the specific target audience is, and creating impactful messages to influence safe driving,” the FDOT says. “Target Zero is a data-driven, multi-faceted behavior change initiative that was created, in part, from direct conversations with those drivers that are most involved in crashes that resulted in serious injuries and fatalities. Target Zero focuses on influencing change in these specific behaviors before they occur.”
Reckless behaviors behind the wheel like aggressive driving and speeding are a main cause of accidents and injuries on our roadways. If you’ve been the victim of negligent behavior, talk to an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. We’ve been helping accident victims win settlements for 35 years. Call 866-730-3508 for a free consultation. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida.
