A preliminary report released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shows there were fewer traffic accident-related deaths in Florida in 2010 than there have been in 32 years, according to The Miami Herald. There were 2,430 traffic accident fatalities in 2010, which is a drop of 133 deaths from 2009. That is the lowest number of traffic deaths since 1978 even though there are twice as many people living in the state now as back then.
Officials point to the state’s new primary enforcement seat belt law that went into effect in June 2009 as the reason for the reduction in fatalities. The seat belt law allows law enforcement to pull over and ticket anyone in a motor vehicle who is not wearing a seat belt. At the time, Florida joined 28 other states and the District of Columbia in passage of a primary seat belt law. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated the primary seat belt law would help save about 125 lives a year and prevent more than 1,700 serious injuries. Also credited with the lower auto accident rate are educational programs that not only encourage seat belt use, but that point out the dangers of using cell phones and driving while distracted.
Remember air bags will generally not be able to do their job unless a seat belt holds you in place so when an air bag deploys, you are prevented from going through a windshield or into the steering wheel.
The Florida automobile accident lawyers at Farah & Farah are always available for a complimentary and comprehensive consultation on your Florida car crash case.
