The death rate due to motor vehicle accidents in the state of Florida

Death Rates from Motor Vehicle Accidents in Florida
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Abstract
This essay studies and discusses the death rates in the US state of Florida as a result of motor vehicle accidents. This is achieved by analyzing Statistical information dating to over five years ago in order to establish a pattern. The data reveals that over the years, there has been a gradual rise in the number of deaths following these accidents. The study then identifies various causes that lead to such accidents such as intoxicated driving, recklessness, pedestrian ignorance, and distractions. The study further stipulates the effects of high mortality rates to the Florida community such as high medical and funeral costs, high rate of lawsuits and loss of productive labor due to death among young people. Applicable remedies are then provided to help reduce the number of deaths in Florida due to motor vehicle accidents. These solutions include, stringent legislative measures, education programmes, evaluation of fitness to drive among old people and the constant reminder to abide by traffic and other road safety rules.

In 2012, surveillance data indicated that motor vehicle traffic accidents in the state of Florida are among the leading causes of injury death; fourth only to firearms falls and poisonings (Florida Injury Facts, 2012). Although a majority of the accidents were caused by reckless and rowdy young drivers, the data revealed that majority of the fatal accident victims were aged 85 and above (due to their fragility) while those between 15 and 24 years recorded the second highest number of fatalities.

It was also revealed that the fatality rates among males were 2.4 times higher than in females (Florida Injury Facts, 2012). From a racial perspective, white people mortality rates following fatal accidents were higher than that of black people within the state and even lower among other races. The data is summarised below:
Female Male White Black Other races Both sexes & All Races
Deaths 654 1726 1935 358 88 2381
Source: Florida Injury Facts (2012).
Notably, that the mortality cases consist not only vehicles occupants during accidents but also that of third parties whose deaths are consequential from these accidents. These victims include pedestrians, motorcyclists, and pedal cyclists. The information is as summarised:
Death casualties Number of casualties
Occupants 674
Motorcyclists 427
Pedal Cyclists 105
Pedestrians 452
Other: unspecified 722
Source: Florida Injury Facts (2012)
Despite the constant reports and cautionary measures by law enforcers and other concerned parties, motor vehicle accident death rates have drastically increased over the years. In 2013, the numbers, however, seemed to make a decrease from 2255 fatalities in 2012 to 2402 deaths in 2013 before picking up again in the later years (Chanfrau Jr, 2015). Statistics relating to traffic data reveal that in the following years, mortality rates among traffic victims has steadily increased to an all-time high. A report dating December 2017 indicates that over 3000 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the state of Florida; setting the highest record of traffic fatalities in a decade Burman (2017). The information is summarised as shown:
Year 2016 2015 2014
Fatalities 3176 2939 2494
Source: Florida Traffic Crash Statistics (2017).
These high death rates beg the questions; what triggered the rise in motor vehicle accidents in Florida and who is to blame? According to the National Safety Council, the 2016 increase in traffic on Florida’s roads is one of the major contributors to the high motor vehicle and fatality rates (Lipcon Law Firm, 2016). The NCS reported that a decline in the rate of unemployment coupled with a reduction in fuel prices attracted multiple visitors to Florida. This decision was arrived at after the NSC found out that accident rates in the state were lower during recession periods, therefore, linking the accidents rates in Florida to economic conditions (Lipcon Law Firm, 2016). This conclusion was reached based on the notion that during recessions e.g. the 1980s and 90s, fewer people travel and; the lesser the traveling periods the lesser the motor vehicle accidents and lower fatality rates.
Drunk or intoxicated driving is perhaps one of if not the leading cause of fatal motor vehicle accidents (Wells Law Group, 2017). Despite the numerous campaigns on how alcohol and other drugs impair one’s judgment and response abilities, a majority of motorists still continue to drive under influence. Worryingly, the rates of intoxicated driving in Florida are higher than the Nation’s average (Labovick & Diaz, 2017). In their report, The Florida Traffic Crash Statistics (2017), reported that in 2014, the death rates as a result of alcohol and drug intoxicated driving was 780 a number that increased to 830 in the next year.
One major vice among young drivers is over speeding. According to Darfoor (2018), over speeding contributes to about a third of all motor vehicle accidents that result in death in the state of Florida. In 2017, about three million Traffic citations were issued in Florida, one of which was for over speeding. While in highways certain speeds are encouraged, it is also reliant on several factors such as weather. Experts warn that speeding bears the risk of hydroplaning and increases the time and distance needed for one to stop, resulting in fatal crashes (Labovick & Diaz, 2017).
Distracted driving is also a major cause of fatal motor vehicle accidents. According to Hancock Injury Attorneys (2015), there was a massive influx of deadly accidents in Florida as a result of distracted driving in 2015; a number that has since continued to increase. Distracted driving covers all activities that take a driver’s eyes and to some extent their attention off the road. Such activities include texting, eating, talking, rubbing one’s neck and applying makeup. Distractions while driving may lead to overlooking certain traffic rules and regulations leading to the death of both occupants and third-party victims (Wells Law Group, 2017).
Labovick & Diaz (2017) explain that reckless driving is a major contributor to fatal motor vehicle collisions. Reckless driving can be defined as the “wanton or intentional disregard of safety” (Labovick & Diaz, 2017). Careless and reckless driving have contributed to a high number of deaths in Florida leading to the imposition of hefty fines by the state lawmakers. Although they both result in death and other damages, it is worth noting that careless and reckless driving means two different things in Florida i.e., the former is a civil offense caused by failure to yield to stipulated driving regulations while the latter is a criminal offense for posing road safety risks (Galanter, 2018).
There have been numerous discussions on who is to blame for the increase in fatal accidents in Florida. Most people argue that the locals are to blame while others argue that foreigners are usually the major offenders since most of them travel to Florida for pleasure; prompting unhealthy habits. The remaining respondents, however, blame the state of infrastructure (Bliss, 2017). According to Trenda McPherson of the Florida Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Office, the Florida locals are responsible for these deadly accidents. In his report, he argues that the people are their own vice. He blames the local drivers for violating safety regulations and the local pedestrians for ignorance of their own safety when using roads (Bliss, 2017).
The high death rates as a result of motor vehicle accidents have triggered a chain of reactions affecting several aspects of the Florida society. First, the state has lost productive members of its society (adults), which bears an effect on its economy from a labor force perspective (The Law Place, 2017). Still, from an economic perspective, the fatal accidents have cost the state of Florida and its citizens heavily in medical and funeral costs and other expenses associated with deadly road accidents (The Law Place, 2017). Legally, the number of lawsuits and prosecution for crimes such as murder and manslaughter have increased due to loss of lives as a result of motor vehicle accidents (Chanfrau Jr, 2015).
In the aim of remedying the situation and reducing the death rates associated with motor vehicle accidents, drivers are advised to stick within speed limits, avoid intoxicated driving and to obey road safety rules (Lipcon Law Firm, 2016). Pedestrians are also advised to master and adhere to road safety rules for their own wellbeing. Such rules involve crossing at appropriate points, checking for oncoming traffic and using safe sides of the road. Spainhour et al (2008) recommend the imposition of even stricter laws governing road use in Florida, in order to discourage breach of traffic rules. As a measure to reduce the severity of accidents, occupants are also encouraged to embrace safety by wearing seat belts. Vehicles owner are also advised to constantly inspect their vehicles prior to driving them (Spainhour et al, 2008).
For young drivers, educational programmes which aim at impacting them with driving responsibility would help reduce incidents of drunk driving among others. The hazards of over speeding should be clearly outlined and emphasized to them too (Spainhour et al 2008). As for elderly occupants, who are more likely to die in a crash, the best solution would be to prevent the number of crashes involving them. Spainhour et al (2008) therefore recommend that elderly people should be constantly subjected to evaluation and examinations in order to keep check of their driving abilities based on judgment and skill. If applied, the proposed recommendations will reduce the mortality rates as a result of in motor vehicle accidents within the state of Florida by a great margin.

References
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