Why did a Recent Study Rank Florida as the Worst State for Pedestrians?

Florida is a haven for winter migrants, but a recent survey named the Sunshine State as the most dangerous for pedestrians. It seems the heavy traffic, wide roads and low number of crosswalks and traffic lights makes conditions ripe for pedestrian accidents. Transportation for Americans conducted the survey and named four Florida areas as the most dangerous places to walk in the country.

As reported at nytimes.com, the Orlando-Kissimmee, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Jacksonville and Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach topped the list because of number of pedestrians killed by vehicles. The fatality rates appear to run across racial lines as Hispanic and African-American residents suffered the most deaths, as they are less likely to own cars and be pedestrians, according to researchers.

One Florida resident told a frightened tale of her daily walk across Semoran Boulevard, a 6-lane road with a 45 mph speed limit. Traffic speeds by at around 60 mph. She has to cross the street to reach the bus stop and pointed out that there are no lights or crosswalks to protect pedestrians.

An Orlando city official blamed the area’s outdated street design and the poor placement of bus stops for pedestrian-car collisions. Built to move traffic in out of the suburbs, the roads are wide and long. Modified bus stops, overpasses and better street lighting would go a long way to cut down on fatalities, said one resident.

Is the area where you live and work safe for pedestrians?

Colson Hicks Eidson – Florida attorneys