# Florida Driving: Unexpected Effects of COVID-19 | Brooks Law Group ![Driving in Florida in 2020 during COVID-19](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/pexels-jeshootscom-13861.jpg) If there’s one thing Floridians can agree on, it’s that driving in the state is often a chore. You might assume that roadways would be overall safer in 2020, given that miles driven were down 13%. Shockingly, the opposite is true. 2020 was a record-setting year for Florida driving. With a little research and preparation, we can change that for the year of 2021. Were you in a motor vehicle accident in Tampa? Call the [Tampa car accident attorneys](https://brookslawgroup.com/tampa/car-accident-lawyer/) of Brooks Law Group today to learn your legal options. ## Shocking 2020 Florida Driving Statistics For so many reasons, 2020 was a particularly negative year for most. One thing that stands out was the surge in motor vehicle accidents per capita throughout the year. It’s so shocking since there was much less driving due to the Coronavirus pandemic. [According to counts](https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/preliminary-estimates/) reported by the National Safety Council, in Florida, in 2020, there were an estimated: - $474.4 *billion* in all damages related to motor-vehicle accidents - 42,060 motor-vehicle deaths (an 8% *increase* compared to 2019) - 2,830 billion miles driven (a 13% *decrease* compared to 2019) - 4,795,000 medically consulted injuries related to motor-vehicle accidents - And a [one-year roadway death rate that tops records](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motor-vehicle-deaths-in-2020-estimated-to-be-highest-in-13-years-despite-dramatic-drops-in-miles-driven-301240410.html?utm_source=morning_brew) all the way back until 1924 – 96 years Look to Brooks!CALL US TODAY [![Phone Icon](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/themes/brooks-law-group/assets/app/img/ctas/phone-icon.png)(800) 529-3030](tel:+18005293030) ## How to Make Florida Driving Safer for Everyone It’s plain to see that Florida roadways actually got *worse*, despite the considerable reduction in travel throughout 2020. The issues, then, aren’t necessarily related to the volume of traffic and congested roads, but instead [unsafe driving practices](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/young-men-are-driving-dangerously-during-covid/). In order to remedy the situation moving forward, safe driving habits must be practiced. Safe driving practices may look like the following: ### Respecting the elements In Florida, we know the weather is constantly changing—we get rain, fog, and sunshine all in one day. Nearly 22% of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by inclement weather. When it begins to rain or gets foggy or dark, practice safe driving habits. ### Driving sober Not only is it a federal law to stay sober behind the wheel, it’s also a practical, safe-driving habit. The CDC has quite a selection of shocking statistics that illustrate the effects of driving under the influence. In short, it’s just not worth it—drive sober or not at all. ### Driving without distractions There are a great number of possible distractions that have the potential to impair a person’s driving. Most notable is the cell phone. The [NHTSA states](https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving) that “taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds while driving 55 miles-per-hour is the same thing as driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.” The texts can wait. If it’s absolutely necessary to attend to your cell phone or other distractions while behind the wheel, pull over. ### Obey posted speed signage Speeding was a contributing factor in [26% of all car accidents](https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding#:~:text=For%20more%20than%20two%20decades,26%25%20of%20all%20traffic%20fatalities.) in a recent year. You know speeding can be very costly if you get pulled over and stuck with a ticket. But although speeding may seem like a victimless crime, it poses a threat to you and others on the roadway. At the end of the day, it’s much better to arrive late than to not arrive at all. ## Keeping the Roads Safe These rules, and other simple, common-sense practices, can make a world of difference for all drivers. It’s important to remember that, even though it’s a regular activity, driving will always be very dangerous. If we want to establish better, safer roadways in Florida, let’s all work together to practice safe driving habits! [Click to contact](/contact-us/) our personal injury lawyers today ## Contact a Florida Car Accident Attorney Sometimes an accident is unavoidable. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, [contact Brooks Law Group](https://brookslawgroup.com/contact-us/) for a free consultation. Don’t wait to start your claim, call us today at 1-800-LAW-3030. Call or text [(800) 529-3030](tel:+18005293030) or complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](/contact-us/) Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![hand on steering wheel prepares to push turn signal lever](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LTB-Blog-2-Image-1-300x251.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/move-over-florida-senate-approves-the-left-lane-passing-bill/) ### [Move Over! Florida Senate Approves the Left Lane Passing Bill](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/move-over-florida-senate-approves-the-left-lane-passing-bill/) If you surveyed drivers in Tampa Bay about their biggest pet peeves about the area, we know one of the top answers [![tire tread shredded after a blowout](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/LTB-Blog-2-image-1-300x251.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/tire-blowouts-causes-dangers-and-what-to-do-if-youre-a-victim/) ### [Tire Blowouts: Causes, Dangers, and What to Do If You're a Victim](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/tire-blowouts-causes-dangers-and-what-to-do-if-youre-a-victim/) Tire blowouts are a driver's worst fear, and for good reason. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, at [![Safety Tips For Driving At Night In Florida](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/shutterstock_120451069-300x251.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/safety-tips-for-driving-at-night-in-florida/) ### [Safety Tips For Driving At Night In Florida](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/safety-tips-for-driving-at-night-in-florida/) Driving at night is a leading cause of fatal car accidents. Darkness causes reduced visibility and compromises depth [![man using phone to text while behind wheel and driving](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LTB-Blog-1-image-1-1-300x251.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/not-just-a-text-legal-consequences-of-distracted-driving/) ### [Not “Just” A Text: Legal Consequences of Distracted Driving](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/not-just-a-text-legal-consequences-of-distracted-driving/) Do you know and understand the legal consequences of distracted driving? Distracted driving claims thousands of --- Source: https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/florida-driving-unexpected-effects-of-covid-19/