According to the National Highway Safety Administration, Interstate 95 (1-95) was deemed the most dangerous highway in the country, reporting a total of 662 fatal automobile accidents between 2004 and 2008. This equates to one fatal accident for every 1.73 miles along I-95’s 382.15 mile stretch in the state of Florida. Another dangerous Florida highway, Interstate 4 (1-4), ranked third in the country for most fatal motor vehicle accidents. It has seen one fatal accident for every 1.58 miles along its 132.39 mile stretch.
Volusia County, which is home to 496,000 people, is Florida’s eighth largest county by population. It is also the only county in Florida that maintains long stretches of both Interstate 4 and Interstate 95. I-95 stretches 38 miles through Volusia County, running south from the Flagler County border just north of State Road 100 to the Brevard County border near Oak Hill, Florida. The 27 mile stretch of I-4 runs from the Seminole County border at the St. Johns River until it intersects with I-95 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
These two long stretches of roadway, as well as their point of intersection in South Daytona, create the most dangerous stretches of highway in the country for automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents and truck accidents.
Although these stretches of roadway in Volusia County are dangerous all year round, they are generally more hazardous in the summer when more travelers are on the road. According to Road Safe America, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is traditionally the most dangerous time of the year on America’s highways. For Volusia County, this means that more drivers occupy already congested highways during this time, many of whom are from out of state and unfamiliar with Florida roadways.
This summer driving season, it is important that you take basic steps to protect yourself and your family from being involved in an automobile accident on an already dangerous road. Some simple steps you can take to avoid an accident on two of the country’s most dangerous highways which converge in Volusia County include:
1) Always wear your seatbelt. Even in the most devastating type of automobile accident, wearing a seatbelt can help preserve lives.
2) Make sure every occupant of your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt.
3) Make sure children are in age appropriate car seats or booster seats.
4) Do not drink and drive. Even consuming one alcoholic beverage can impair your ability to competently operate a motor vehicle.
5) Do not use cell phones or other electronic devices while driving. This includes talking, texting or doing any other mobile activity where your attention is directed elsewhere but on the road in front of you.
6) Do not drive aggressively. Follow all of the rules of the road when driving on a roadway (such as following and passing at a safe distance) and steer clear of other aggressive drivers.
7) Do not drive in a hurry. Leave plenty of time to safely get to your destination.
For more information about what to do if you have been involved in an auto accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident, contact the Volusia County accident lawyers at Rue & Ziffra, P.A. for a free consultation. All of our clients’ claims are handled by attorneys knowledgeable in the legal processes surrounding automobile accidents and other types of personal injury cases.
Rue & Ziffra, P.A., proudly serves areas throughout Volusia County and Flagler County, Florida, including, Port Orange, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, DeLand, Deltona, Bunnell, Orange City, Sanford, Orlando and Leesburg.
The above entry is NOT LEGAL ADVICE and should not be intended or construed as such. It is intended only as general information. No individual reading it should act upon it. Reading this entry does not create any relationship between Rue & Ziffra, P.A. and individuals reading it. If you have questions or concerns, please seek professional legal counsel.
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