Mark Roman | October 10, 2023 | Car Accidents
Nearly 400,000 people call Tampa home, and many more commute from the surrounding area to work, shop, or unwind in the city. While Tampa has many of the amenities of similarly sized cities in the United States, it also has some of the same issues. These include traffic crashes that result in the deaths of motorists.
Statistics reveal just how Hillsborough County stacks up against other counties in Florida regarding the number of motor vehicle deaths. They also reveal whether driving in Tampa is safer or more dangerous than driving in other parts of the state.
Statewide Traffic Fatality Statistics
Overall, there were 3,863 traffic deaths across Florida in 2021, the most recent year for which statistics from the Federal Highway Administration are available. This number represents a sharp increase from 2020, when 3,329 people died, and from 2015 to 2019, when an average of 3,110 people died in traffic crashes annually.
In 2021, the state of Florida had a fatality rate of 17.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 people.
How Tampa and Hillsborough County Compare To Florida
Safe Roads USA reports that between 2018 and 2020, 576 fatal traffic wrecks happened in Hillsborough County, FL. A total of 253 fatalities occurred in 2021. This means that out of 3,863 traffic deaths throughout Florida in 2021, about 6.5% of them happened in Hillsborough County.
The county’s fatality rate was 16.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 population, slightly below the state average of 17.0. While this statistic suggests that you are slightly less likely to be killed in a Tampa-area accident than elsewhere in the state, the rate increased significantly from 2020 to 2021. In 2020, the fatality rate was only 13.2.
Hillsborough’s Fatality Rate Compared To Other Counties
Hillsborough County’s fatality rate in 2021 was comparable with Broward County, Indian River County, and Nassau County.
Some Florida counties had a much higher fatality rate:
- Bradford County
- Calhoun County
- Marion County
- Okeechobee County
- Putnam County
However, certain areas of the state had a lower fatality rate. Perhaps most surprisingly, Miami-Dade County’s fatality rate in 2021 was only 12.2. Florida’s most populous county recorded a total of 357 traffic deaths that year.
A closer comparison to Hillsborough County would be Orange County. Both counties are home to approximately 1.4 million people. In 2021, Orange County’s fatality rate was 14.7, and the area saw 221 traffic fatalities. Like Hillsborough County, the traffic fatality rate for Orange County also increased dramatically from 2020 to 2021, jumping from 11.5 to 14.7
Tampa Drivers Should Exercise Caution
These statistics are a mixed bag for Tampa drivers. Since the fatality rate is slightly lower than the state’s average, motorists are not quite as likely to be involved in a fatal wreck in Hillsborough County as elsewhere in the state. Certain parts of Florida are much more dangerous to drive in.
However, Orange County and Miami-Dade County have lower motor vehicle fatality rates than Hillsborough County, indicating that other Florida cities may be safer for drivers. Additionally, the fatality rate seems to be rising, which could signal an increased danger for Tampa residents.
If you live or work in this city, you should not let statistics lull you into complacency. Instead, drive defensively, wear your seat belt, and be alert for unsafe drivers to reduce the chance of being involved in an injury or fatal wreck.
Contact the Florida Car Accident Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a Car Accident lawyer in Florida. We have four convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442