“Share the Road,” says the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). They have come together to launch an important safety campaign to promote responsible, safe behavior among drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users in Florida.
Everyone from 4-wheel drivers to cyclists and pedestrians should be aware of their responsibility to help protect others on the road. There are more than 1,000 car accidents a day in Florida, killing and injuring thousands of people every year. Many of these accidents occur because drivers are not alert for pedestrians, bike riders, or motorcyclists.
Share the Road and Stay Safe
Share the Road safety campaign partners say adopting safe driving practices means recognizing the impact of small, everyday interactions while operating a motor vehicle.
FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner emphasized that traffic laws are in place to ensure safety for all road users and disregarding them endangers everyone. “Traffic laws exist to keep everyone on the road safe,” Kerner says. “When people bypass laws or forget about others on the roadway, they endanger everyone. FHP provides enforcement because of this very reason. “Share the Road” is critical in Florida with our ever-expanding population and visitors to Florida.”
FHP Colonel Gary Howze II remarked that simple decisions such as obeying speed limits, using turn signals, and maintaining a safe distance between vehicles can contribute to safer roads in Florida. “The members of the Florida Highway Patrol respond to preventable crashes daily,” Howze says. “Simple driving decisions such as driving the speed limit, using turn signals, or maintaining a safe following from other vehicles all play a role in creating safer roads for everyone, and a safer Florida. So share the road.”
Pedestrians are at the highest risk of fatalities among groups using Florida’s roads, with over 10,000 crashes resulting in 765 deaths and 1,393 serious injuries in 2022. Safety experts note that crashes involving pedestrians most commonly occur between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. when people are out getting exercise or enjoying the weather.
Bicyclists were involved in 7,129 crashes, with 211 deaths and over 800 serious bodily injuries. Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) were involved in over 46,000 crashes resulting in 336 deaths and over 1,000 serious bodily injuries. Statistics show that bicycle crashes are highest during weekdays (M-F) and peak in the late afternoon and evening hours.
In Florida, motorcycle safety is a top focus. In 2022, there were 9,150 motorcycle crashes in Florida, resulting in 590 fatalities and 2,007 serious injuries. The fourth-highest number of crashes for the year occurs in May, and the majority of them take place on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) in the late afternoon and evening.
Commercial truck drivers, who are vital to Florida’s economy, need more room, more time to stop, and more space to turn. Drivers should be alert for a truck’s wide blind areas, which are on all sides. Over 46,000 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) occurred throughout the state, resulting in 336 fatalities and more than 1,000 serious injuries. The majority of CMV accidents happen between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The campaign’s safety partners emphasized that road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and safe behaviors must be practiced regardless of the mode of transportation. The public is encouraged to visit the campaign website and report dangerous driving by texting FHP (347).
If you’ve been injured in a car crash, talk to an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Call 866-730-3508 for a free consultation. We’ve been fighting for injured accident victims for more than 30 years. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida.
