While tourism in Florida positively contributes to local economies, it may also have downsides, including an increase in motor crashes. An influx of tourists who are unfamiliar with local roads would increase the likelihood of crashes, injuries, and fatalities, but without data, it can be hard to make firm conclusions.
This study has analyzed traffic crash data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to investigate the relationship between tourism and motor vehicle accidents. Using information like the number of crashes and accident-related injuries that occur every month, we’ve identified the most statistically dangerous months to drive in Florida.
Comparing these months with times of the year that see increased tourism, dangerous weather, and other events has shed light on the factors that make Florida’s roads more dangerous.
When do you think is the most dangerous time of year to drive in Florida? Does it have anything to do with the rise in tourism that the state has seen in recent years? Take a look at our study to learn more about this topic.
Key Findings
- The highest number of crashes happen in March
- There were 36,280 crashes in March of 2023
- The highest number of accident-related injuries and fatalities also occurred in March of 2023 compared to any other month.
- Car crash rates increase when tourism increases
- August is the safest month to drive, making it an ideal time of year for learners to practice and take their driving test
- Accidents are also elevated during peak hurricane season
- Tourists are on the rise in Florida. Tourist figures have increased from 35.5 million in 2019 to 40.1 million in 2023
As you can see, March is the most dangerous month to drive in Florida. According to data, the first half of the year sees peaks in the number of crashes in March and May. These peaks line up with spring break and when university classes finish for the semester. Crashes, injuries, and fatalities significantly increase again in August, October, and December.
Breakdown of Results
Total Auto Accidents in Florida from 2018 to 2022
| Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| 2018 | 33,538 | 31,748 | 36,793 | 34,394 | 35,485 | 31,262 | 31,266 | 34,389 | 32,592 | 33,772 | 33,304 | 35,083 |
| 2019 | 32,858 | 32,165 | 35,922 | 33,701 | 34,658 | 31,144 | 31,066 | 34,448 | 30,996 | 35,672 | 33,072 | 36,165 |
| 2020 | 33,174 | 32,435 | 27,495 | 16,721 | 24,003 | 26,265 | 27,585 | 29,312 | 29,776 | 32,622 | 30,313 | 31,698 |
| 2021 | 29,904 | 29,319 | 34,470 | 33,577 | 34,138 | 33,460 | 33,277 | 33,588 | 33,742 | 35,801 | 34,347 | 35,917 |
| 2022 | 31,643 | 32,050 | 36,556 | 33,324 | 33,372 | 30,264 | 31,246 | 33,058 | 32,791 | 35,359 | 33,146 | 34,811 |
| 2023 | 33,401 | 32,393 | 36,280 | 33,483 | 33,630 | 30,886 | 31,002 | 32,408 | 32,165 | 33,388 | 32,474 | 33,355 |
When performing a month-over-month comparison of the overall auto accidents in Florida for the year 2023, March saw a 12% increase in overall crashes. This spike lines up with the influx of college students during March’s spring break festivities.
It’s also worthwhile to note that, on average, about 40% of crashes result in some form of injury. Further, accident-related injuries peak in March and October, which is similar to the peaks for overall crashes.
Florida has the fewest dangerous crashes and accident-related injuries in August. Despite the influx of tourists and hurricane weather, August is statistically the safest month to drive in Florida.
Conclusion
The data collected in this study suggests that when more drivers come to Florida from other states, more accidents, accident-related injuries, and motor vehicle fatalities occur. This is supported by the peak of accidents in March, a month known to bring many tourists to Florida for spring break.
Based on this finding, we can infer that many of the serious accidents that occur in March are related to impaired driving, as this is a time of year when college students flood the roads and consume alcohol at various spring break events.
If you’re considering making a trip to Florida during a time when college student tourism is expected to increase, you’ll want to pay close attention to the road and other drivers. Doing so will help you avoid a drunk-driving accident that may result in serious, or even fatal, injuries.
However, if you do happen to sustain injuries or property damage in a vehicle collision caused by another party, the team at Fasig Brooks is here for you. Our team of Florida car accident lawyers has won over $1 billion for accident victims throughout the state. We can draw on our experience to get the compensation you need to cover medical bills and come back stronger.
