Accident Statistics

While your chances of surviving a car crash today are better than a decade ago because of safety features found in vehicles, the same trend is not being seen among law enforcement, a FoxNews.com article reports. More officers today are involved in fatal patrol auto crashes than in the past.

Fatalities in the line of duty have fallen by about 20 percent, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports in its monthly report that fatalities for law enforcement officers is climbing.

The report in Sheriff’s Magazine (June 2010) says the death of law enforcement officers has increased 80% in 28 years due to motor vehicle crashes, which are currently the leading cause of death for officers.

From 1980 to 1982, officer deaths were attributed to car crashes about 26 percent of the time. That number jumped to 54% from 2005 to 2007. Meanwhile deaths among officers on foot or on a motorcycle remain unchanged.

What is responsible for this trend? The federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System finds that police officers are not wearing their seat belts. Upward of 39% of law enforcement officers killed in patrol cars since 1996 were not buckled up. Younger officers have an even more dismal record. Officers ages 20 to 39 failed to wear their seat belt in 69% of fatal crashes.

Car crash statistics show that a large percentage of the fatalities – 42% – involved a single-vehicle, the patrol car, hitting an object off the road such as a tree. In 24% of the fatalities, the officer was ejected from the patrol car, generally a sign he or she was not wearing a seat belt.

This is clearly a wake-up call for law enforcement to remind its officers that it is the law in Florida to buckle up, and their job is to uphold the law, even by example. Florida auto accident attorneys hope that this startling trend fades fast as more officers remember to wear their seat belts.

Florida’s highways are now the deadliest in the nation for pedestrians and bicyclists. A study released last fall by Transportation for America and the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership found that the latest federal statistics indicate 11.1% of pedestrians killed in the U.S died in Florida. The state also accounted for 17.4% of all bicyclist fatalities. For walkers, Florida is one of the four most dangerous cities in the U.S.

Contributing Factors to Fatalities
Aside from the negligence of motorists, Florida’s attractions contribute to the high rate of fatalities here according to the Washington, D.C. non-profits who conducted the study. The temperate climate encourages people to be outside, attracting tourists as well as people interested in living in the state. Many deaths occur on rural highways where there are no sidewalks or bike lanes. Additionally, these highways are not always well-lighted, adding to the danger.

Safety Education Programs Needed
Advocates for bicyclists and pedestrians say the problem is complicated by a shortage of safety education programs. They point to statewide safety awareness program for drunk driving, seat belts and child safety seats but very little is done on pedestrian and bike safety.

Liability and Negligence
Pedestrian and bicyclist accidents raise a number of questions for Florida personal injury lawyers. Aside from the motorist who might be involved, there are other considerations that could include the possibility of hazardous road conditions. Determining liability, such as comparative fault, is often a challenge, as well as sorting out insurance coverage. Experts in this kind of law have a staff of trained investigators who have considerable experience in navigating the challenges of such cases.