Florida’s Beaches Draw Millions Each Summer, But New Report Shows Popular Shorelines See Disproportionately High Accident Rates

Florida is synonymous with summer vacations. In 2024, a record-breaking 35 million visitors poured into the state during summer months, adding to the 156 million total annual tourists and joining 23.3 million residents on the roads. While this influx of beachgoers fuels the state’s economy, bringing in $131 billion in 2023 alone, it also creates crowded highways, distracted drivers, and dangerous conditions.

A new study by The Schiller Kessler Group reveals that Florida’s most visited beaches, from South Beach to Clearwater, are located in counties that also record the highest numbers of fatal car crashes. The data underscores a troubling overlap: Florida’s most iconic coastlines are also its most dangerous to reach.

Where the Risks Are Highest

Florida recorded 395,175 crashes in 2023, with 252,285 injuries and 3,396 deaths. Of those fatalities:

The most popular beach counties — Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Volusia, and Broward — accounted for 955 deaths (28%) despite representing just 7.5% of Florida’s counties. These areas are home to South Beach, Palm Beach, Clearwater, Daytona, and Pompano Beach, drawing millions of tourists each year while simultaneously leading the state in traffic fatalities.

Who’s Involved in the Crashes?

The study highlights a clear trend: men, particularly younger and middle-aged, are most likely to engage in risky behaviors like speeding, drunk driving, and late-night travel.

Timing Matters: Deadliest Months and Hours

Fatal crashes spike during vacation and holiday seasons:

Evenings are especially dangerous: between 6 PM and 10 PM, alcohol use, fatigue, and low visibility create a perfect storm. The single deadliest hour was 10–11 PM, with 31 fatalities.

The Role of Vehicles

Certain vehicle types stand out in crash data:

Motorcycles from Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and BMW made up over 90 fatal crashes, reinforcing the vulnerability of riders in beach counties.

Main Causes Across Counties

What This Means for Visitors and Residents

Florida’s 800 miles of coastline are the backbone of its tourism economy, but the same areas fueling the state’s prosperity also carry outsized risks. Packed roads, unfamiliar drivers, and overlapping nightlife patterns create a dangerous mix, particularly for men in the 25–44 age bracket.

“Tourism is essential to Florida, but the crash data makes one thing clear: road safety needs to keep pace with the influx of visitors,” said a spokesperson for The Schiller Kessler Group. “Stronger enforcement, targeted public awareness campaigns, and individual responsibility are key to saving lives.”

The Schiller Kessler Group: Advocates for Florida’s Crash Victims

For Floridians and visitors alike, one wrong decision can change everything. The attorneys at The Schiller Kessler Group are dedicated to representing victims of negligence on Florida’s roads.

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