According to a recent Forbes Advisor's study, out of the 50 most populated cities in the US, Jacksonville ranks #14 for having the worst drivers.
What Makes Jacksonville, Florida One of the Top Cities With the Worst Drivers?
The study "identifies the cities where drivers engage in the most hazardous behavior that threatens public safety." Five key metrics were determined per 100,000 city residents, based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Census Bureau:
In Jacksonville's case, there are an average of 15 fatal car accidents per 100,000 residents, and an average of 4 of those accidents involve a drunk driver.
News 4 Jax interviewed a local who complained about drivers "cutting you off, when you are going above the speed limit anyway, or motorcycles going really fast when you're zipping in and out." Another local says that she's "over in the right lane doing the speed limit and then some wild person drives up on me like I have somewhere to move over to."
Many of us have had plenty of the same experiences.
- Number of fatal car accidents
- Number of fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver
- Number of fatal car accidents involving a distracted driver
- Number of fatal car accidents involving speeding
- Number of people killed in fatal crashes
In Jacksonville's case, there are an average of 15 fatal car accidents per 100,000 residents, and an average of 4 of those accidents involve a drunk driver.
News 4 Jax interviewed a local who complained about drivers "cutting you off, when you are going above the speed limit anyway, or motorcycles going really fast when you're zipping in and out." Another local says that she's "over in the right lane doing the speed limit and then some wild person drives up on me like I have somewhere to move over to."
Many of us have had plenty of the same experiences.
A New Age of Distracted Driving
A Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) report suggests that distracted drivers are over 240% more likely to crash than safe drivers. These distractions unfortunately correspond to the rise in pedestrian fatalities.
"About 4,600 people were killed while walking in 2007, the year the iPhone was introduced. By 2021, with 85 percent of Americans owning smartphones, the number rose to 7,485."
Not only are we still using our phones while driving, but now there are videos online of Tesla drivers wearing VR headsets behind the wheel. It's been mentioned that some of these videos are "purely for content," but these people are giving their audiences ideas.
"About 4,600 people were killed while walking in 2007, the year the iPhone was introduced. By 2021, with 85 percent of Americans owning smartphones, the number rose to 7,485."
Not only are we still using our phones while driving, but now there are videos online of Tesla drivers wearing VR headsets behind the wheel. It's been mentioned that some of these videos are "purely for content," but these people are giving their audiences ideas.
What Will Influence Safer Driving?
Florida has a hands-free law, which means Florida drivers can be pulled over and ticketed for texting while driving alone, but mobile devices have been allowed for phone calls, checking for weather alerts, and GPS. But even since this law was passed in 2019, distracted driving has continued to plague Florida highways and roads.
In 2022 alone, distracted driving in Florida caused 54,895 crashes, 2,656 serious injuries from those crashes, and 275 fatalities.
Now lawmakers are pushing for a 100% hands-free Florida with the "Anthony Branca and Anita Neal Act." The bill is named after Anthony Branca, a 19-year old young man who was killed by a distracted driver in 2014.
Under this new hands-free bill, Florida drivers would be required by law to put their phones away completely and use "stand-alone electronic devices," including speakerphone, Bluetooth, or other hands-free devices.
So what are the penalties? According to the official bill:
"A first violation of the ban on texting while driving is punishable as a nonmoving violation and carries a $30 fine plus court costs, which could result in a total fine up to $108. A second or subsequent violation of the ban committed within five years after the date of a prior conviction is a moving violation and carries a $60 fine plus court costs,9 which could result in a total fine up to $158."
In 2022 alone, distracted driving in Florida caused 54,895 crashes, 2,656 serious injuries from those crashes, and 275 fatalities.
Now lawmakers are pushing for a 100% hands-free Florida with the "Anthony Branca and Anita Neal Act." The bill is named after Anthony Branca, a 19-year old young man who was killed by a distracted driver in 2014.
Under this new hands-free bill, Florida drivers would be required by law to put their phones away completely and use "stand-alone electronic devices," including speakerphone, Bluetooth, or other hands-free devices.
So what are the penalties? According to the official bill:
"A first violation of the ban on texting while driving is punishable as a nonmoving violation and carries a $30 fine plus court costs, which could result in a total fine up to $108. A second or subsequent violation of the ban committed within five years after the date of a prior conviction is a moving violation and carries a $60 fine plus court costs,9 which could result in a total fine up to $158."
If you have been in an accident involving distracted driving, call our Jacksonville car accident lawyers today. We are your advocate, and we act fast.