New Initiatives for Curbing Traffic Accidents and Fatalities in the Tampa Bay Area

For the average driver in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, the daily commute is usually replete with traffic and filled with apprehension of an accident, particularly on major roadways such as I-275 and U.S. Highway 19.  According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicle statistics recorded in 2009, there were 235,778 traffic crashes throughout the state, averaging 646 car accidents per day. In Hillsborough County alone, there were 17,480 auto collisions in 2009.

To help curb this staggering rate of auto collisions in the Tampa Bay area, the Tampa Police Department examined three years’ worth of data from crash studies and identified the 20 most dangerous intersections in the City of Tampa, including the following:

1. Hillsborough Avenue & 40^th Street- 128 car crashes
2. Fowler Avenue & 30^th Street (Bruce B Downs)-116 car crashes
3. Hillsborough Avenue & Himes Avenue- 105 car crashes
4. Dale Mabry & Hillsborough Avenue- 104 car crashes
5. Gandy Boulevard & Manhattan Avenue- 97 car crashes
6. Florida Avenue & Waters Avenue- 93 car crashes
7. Hillsborough Avenue & Nebraska Avenue- 90 car crashes

In 2011, based on the findings of the Police Department, the City of Tampa installed cameras at the intersections identified as the most accident-prone.  Within a few months, the City of St. Petersburg did the same.  Since that time, both cities have reported success with the program through fewer rear-end collisions and other auto accidents at those intersections.  They are also generating significant revenue through traffic citations issued to drivers who are caught running a red light.

Despite this success, much more needs to be done to address the growing traffic congestion and rate of pedestrian deaths caused by motor vehicle collisions throughout the Tampa Bay area.  Indeed, the number of auto accidents in our area is disproportionately higher than that of other cities with comparable population numbers.  For example, according to the 2010 U.S. census, Tampa has a population of 335,709 people within its city limits, while Pittsburgh has 305,704.

Although the population numbers of both cities are similar, the rate of car-related fatalities in each respective metro area is not.  Statistics from Transportation for America reveal that Pittsburgh’s metro area was the scene of 209 pedestrian deaths from 2000 to 2009, with pedestrian fatalities comprising 11.2% of all traffic related deaths.  By stark contrast, the City of Tampa had 905 pedestrian traffic deaths between 2000 and 2009 or 21.5% of all traffic deaths.

There is a shocking disparity at the state level as well.  Pennsylvania ranks 33 out of 50 on the Pedestrian Danger Index (P.D.I.) and is therefore considered relatively safe for those walking along roadways and crossing traffic intersections.  By comparison, Florida ranks Number 1 on that index as the most dangerous state for pedestrians in the entire U.S., with over 5,163 pedestrian deaths throughout the state between 2000 and 2009.  In addition, a recent CNBC article listing the top 15 most dangerous cities for driving in America named four Florida cities:  Jacksonville, Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

In light of the statistics and inordinately high numbers of auto accidents and pedestrian deaths caused by reckless drivers throughout the Tampa Bay area, the public is well served by the recent efforts by Tampa and St. Petersburg to make major intersections safer by installing cameras.

Another way to dramatically reduce traffic congestion as well as improve the safety of Tampa Bay area roads and highways is through public transit, particularly in the form of light rail.  Incredibly, Gov. Rick Scott refused $2.4 billion in federal funds for a Tampa-Orlando intercity light rail last year, but as the local and state population continues to soar, the State of Florida will need to consider this issue more seriously in the very near future.  Otherwise, the growing number of traffic-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities will only further deplete Florida’s already limited financial resources by burdening first responders such as police and firefighters as well as hospitals and other medical providers.