Five Florida Beach Counties Accounted for Nearly a Third of the State's Road Deaths Last Year

Five of Florida’s most popular beach destinations accounted for nearly one-third of all road fatalities in the state last year, according to new research from The Schiller Kessler Group.

The personal injury law firm analyzed crash and fatality data across all 67 Florida counties and found that Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, Pinellas and Volusia counties recorded a combined 844 road deaths in 2024. Together, those five counties were responsible for 29% of all traffic fatalities statewide despite representing just 7.5% of Florida’s counties.

The findings come as Florida continues to welcome record numbers of visitors while grappling with the road safety challenges that accompany a growing population and increasingly congested highways.

Florida welcomed approximately 143 million visitors in 2024, making it one of the most visited destinations in the United States. The state’s beaches, theme parks and warm climate continue to attract millions of domestic and international travelers every year. But researchers say that popularity may also be contributing to a disproportionate share of serious and fatal crashes.

According to the analysis, Miami-Dade County recorded the highest number of road deaths among Florida’s coastal tourist destinations, followed by Broward, Palm Beach, Volusia and Pinellas counties. Each of the counties experiences heavy tourist traffic throughout the year and sees significant increases in visitor numbers during peak travel periods.

Researchers point to a combination of factors that may help explain the trend, including unfamiliar drivers navigating local roads, increased rental car usage, heavier traffic volumes and higher rates of impaired driving during major tourism periods.

The study highlights March as one of the most concerning months for road safety.

Data cited by The Schiller Kessler Group found that serious crashes increase by approximately 12% during March compared with other periods of the year. The month also accounts for around 10% of all impaired driving crashes recorded in Florida annually. The increase coincides with spring break, one of the state’s busiest tourism periods, when millions of visitors travel to coastal communities across South Florida and the Gulf Coast.

While spring break often attracts attention for crowd management and public safety concerns, transportation researchers say the impact on local road networks receives far less scrutiny.

Florida recorded 381,423 crashes statewide in 2024, averaging more than 1,000 collisions every day. Those crashes resulted in 3,098 fatalities and 246,426 injuries, underscoring the scale of the state’s road safety challenge.

The research also found that nearly one in four crashes involved a hit-and-run driver. Florida recorded 97,999 hit-and-run incidents during 2024, placing additional pressure on law enforcement agencies and emergency responders already managing high crash volumes.

Population growth is expected to add further strain.

Florida is projected to gain roughly 1,000 new residents per day over the next three decades, according to population estimates cited in the study. Several counties are expected to experience population growth exceeding 20% during that period.

Transportation experts have long warned that rapid population growth can create additional challenges for road infrastructure, particularly in regions already experiencing seasonal tourism surges. More residents typically mean more vehicles, greater congestion and increased demand on road networks that may already be operating near capacity.

The issue is particularly relevant for counties that serve as both major tourist destinations and population growth centers.

Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties collectively attract millions of visitors each year while simultaneously experiencing continued residential growth. Similar trends are occurring along portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast, where communities continue to recover from recent hurricanes while accommodating new residents and visitors.

Researchers say the findings highlight the need for continued investment in road safety initiatives, public awareness campaigns and infrastructure improvements in areas experiencing the highest traffic volumes.

While tourism remains a critical part of Florida’s economy, the study suggests that some of the state’s most popular destinations are also among its most dangerous places to drive.

With visitor numbers remaining high and population growth expected to continue for decades, the challenge facing policymakers may be how to balance economic growth with the demands placed on Florida’s roads.

The full county-by-county findings are available through research conducted by The Schiller Kessler Group.