The first time you drive on a South Florida highway, you find out how aggressive and reckless many drivers here can be. This region is notorious for motorists who speed, veer between lanes without signaling, tailgate and commit other negligent behaviors.
The sense that we live in a dangerous part of the country when it comes to car accidents is backed by statistics. The Institute for Highway Safety says the latest data indicates that Florida has the third-most traffic deaths of any state. And Miami-Dade and Broward counties are considered the most dangerous places in the state in which to drive.
Four of Florida’s worst intersections
Of course, some roads are scarier than others. According to Local 10, here are four of the intersections in South Florida where a fatal wreck is most likely to happen:
- Pines Boulevard and South Flamingo Road in Pembroke Pines
- A1A and Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale
- NE Second Avenue and 36th Street in Miami
- Alton Road and Dade Boulevard on South Beach
Many of the victims at these sports are pedestrians and bicycle riders, though drivers and passengers are also at high risk. Drunk and drugged driving is the single biggest cause of deadly accidents. Other risk factors include speeding and age. Local 10 reports that drivers aged 65 and above are involved in twice as many crashes as younger motorists.
The choice to be negligent can have tragic consequences
These are all factors that drivers can control. Nobody has to drive drunk or exceed the speed limit. We can’t avoid getting older, but when someone’s ability to drive safely fades due to an age-related illness or condition, they can choose to stop driving.