Trends in Fort Lauderdale Traffic Accidents

From January to August of 2018, exactly 226,347 reported crashes took place in the state of Florida. 22,266 of these crashes - nearly 10 percent - occurred in Broward County. When considering that Florida is home to 67 counties, the fact that just one is accounting for almost 10 percent of all accidents is staggering.

Broward County is no stranger to accidents. It's largest city, Fort Lauderdale, is a magnet for tourists, adventurous locals, and accidents alike. Over the years we've seen an alarming amount of car crashes take place in the waterfront city of Fort Lauderdale. Today, we're going to dive into some of the most common trends we've seen.

Accident Breakdown by County

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, more than 41,000 car crashes were reported in Broward County in 2016. This is an increase from both 2015, during which accidents reached 38,409 and also 2014, during which accidents only reached 34,833. Fort Lauderdale has seen a 8.71 percent increase in accidents year over year, and data for 2018 projects a similar outcome.
Could this trend be mirroring the rising population experienced throughout South Florida? Since 1970, the population of Broward County has nearly tripled, reaching a whopping 1.896 million. Broward's neighboring counties, Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach County, have experienced similar growth. According to a 2017 census report, Miami-Dade has reached a population of over 2.7 million, making it the most populous county in Florida and the seventh-most populous county in the entire United States.
When observing the growth in these counties, it can be assumed that more residents will mean more vehicles on the road, which could result in more accidents. In fact, while Miami-Dade ranked first for the highest number of reported crashes in Florida, Broward County ranked second. In the city of Fort Lauderdale specifically, more than 10,000 crashes were reported in 2014. In other words, Fort Lauderdale alone was home to more accidents than the entire counties of Baker, Bradford, Calhoun, Dixie, Flagler, Glades, and Okeechobee combined.

Pedestrians At Risk in Fort Lauderdale

A beautiful city with waterfront views, plush beaches, and a buzzing nightlife, Fort Lauderdale sees plenty of foot traffic each year. Tourists and locals alike walk Fort Lauderdale streets daily, yet their satisfaction with the safety of walking and biking in the area is low.
According to the 2014 City of Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Survey, only 37 percent of Fort Lauderdale residents were satisfied with the safety of walking in the area, and only 25 percent were satisfied with the safety of biking. A mere 21 percent were satisfied with the management of traffic flow and congestion of the city, which could tie into the 53 percent whom were satisfied with the availability of sidewalks.
When it comes to pedestrian fatalities, Fort Lauderdale has the second highest rate in the entire nation. Over the past five years, there was an average of 20 fatalities on Fort Lauderdale streets each year, and in 2012, the pedestrian fatality rate was at 5.86 per 100,000 residents. Intersections in Fort Lauderdale are a major pain point, as they are the location of dozens of accidents each year. One of the most dangerous intersections, A1A and Las Olas Blvd., was the site of more than 1,000 injury-related accidents in 2015.

Traffic Risks in Fort Lauderdale

With over 10,000 reported traffic crashes in 2014, the growth of Fort Lauderdale has led to a definite increase in auto accidents. Compare 2009's rate of 4,720 crashes to 2014's more than double that amount, and it becomes obvious that the busier the city becomes, the more dangerous the roadways are. In fact, the rate of traffic fatalities in Fort Lauderdale is the fifth highest in the nation.
Although the city of Miami has nearly twice as many drivers, there is a higher rate of traffic fatalities in Fort Lauderdale. In 2015, there were 22.39 deaths for every 100,000 people involved in car accidents in Fort Lauderdale. Many more were seriously injured. With tourists, international drivers unaccustomed to American roads, and "Spring Breakers" who hit the town to party, traffic risks in Fort Lauderdale are glaringly obvious.

Notable Trends

If you're a South Florida native, or at least have been living here for a decent period of time, you're well aware of the "seasonality" of the area. When temperatures up North drop in the winter months, individuals flock to South Florida's mild climate. Dubbed "snowbirds," these individuals typically live part-time in the Sunshine State, and spend their summers back in their home state. Therefore, it can be assumed that between snowbirds, tourists, and spring breakers all looking for a hint of sun in the harsh winters, that the number of people flocking to Fort Lauderdale increases drastically during the winter months.
Bearing this information in mind, it is not surprising to learn that the total reported injury crashes are highest in September through April, and lowest in June through August. Essentially, the trend of more accidents coincides with when more individuals are on the road. According to information provided by Signal Four Analytics, crashes commonly occur Fridays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Other notable trends include:

• 65% of accidents occur during the day.
• 89% of accidents occur on dry roads.
• 82% of accidents occur on non-intersections, with 17% occurring in intersections.
• 1 in 15 pedestrian crashes resulted in death.
• 1 in 41 bike crashes resulted in death.
• 1 in 304 car crashes resulted in death.
• Alcohol was involved in 23% of deaths.

We urge you to be wary while driving in Fort Lauderdale. While accidents can't be planned for, with safer driving on behalf of all locals, residents, and tourists, they can be prevented. If you've been injured in a Fort Lauderdale car accident, either as a driver or as a pedestrian, you are not alone. Seek legal guidance today.