TRAFFIC FATALITIES CONTINUE TO FALL IN FLORIDA

TRAFFIC FATALITIES CONTINUE TO FALL IN FLORIDA

~ Preliminary figures show crash fatalities fall for sixth year straight ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In 2011, 2,373 people died in traffic crashes on Florida’s roadways, according to preliminary data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.  By comparison, 2,444 people died in traffic crashes in 2010. The number of crash fatalities in 2011 is the lowest the state has reported since 1978 even though the Sunshine State’s population has doubled since that time.  

“The Department’s No. 1 priority is to protect the lives and personal security of our residents and visitors through enforcement, service and education,” said DHSMV Executive Director Julie L. Jones. “While the six-year downward trend is encouraging, we continue our strategic efforts to drive down the number of crashes in Florida and the number of injuries and fatalities that come as a result.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report online, “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among those age 5 – 34 in the U.S.”

Understanding that the leading cause of death for so many is preventable, the Director of the Florida Highway Patrol, Col. David Brierton, echoed Jones’ commitment to saving lives. “The men and women of FHP patrol Florida’s highways 24/7 to make them safe,” said Brierton. “Our law enforcement partners and public safety stakeholders are also important to the solution. Motorists can do their part, too, when they buckle up and drive sober.”

The Department is taking a strategic approach to making Florida’s roadways safe. While enforcement and education are paramount to the equation, so is licensing drivers, registering vehicles, leveraging technology and developing a workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. To see how DHSMV is doing at meeting its strategic goals, visit www.flhsmv.gov and click the Performance Dashboard button.

The Department will publish the final count for 2011 later this year in its annual Traffic Crash Statistics Report 2011. Reports from previous years are available online at www.flhsmv.gov/html/safety.html.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement.  The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol.  To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit www.flhsmv.gov or follow us on Twitter at @FDHSMV. 

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