Florida’s beaches, theme parks, and nightlife make it one of the most visited places in the world. In 2023, the Sunshine State welcomed 140 million tourists while serving as home to 22.6 million residents. But the same roads that carry families to Disney World and spring breakers to Miami also carry a heavy toll: thousands of preventable deaths each year.

A new review of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data from The Schiller Kessler Group shows that Florida suffered 3,396 motor vehicle fatalities in 2023, representing more than 8% of all U.S. crash deaths. Researchers examined the leading causes, the demographics most at risk, and the counties where driving is deadliest.

Preventable Behaviors Drive the Majority of Deaths

Florida’s crash statistics reveal one clear pattern: the leading causes are not mechanical failures or unavoidable conditions, but human choices.

• Drunk driving: 839 deaths (the leading cause of fatalities).
• Failure to wear seatbelts: 811 deaths.
• Speeding: 349 deaths.
• Distracted driving: 277 deaths.

Combined, alcohol impairment and unbelted occupants accounted for nearly half of all deaths in the state. Despite decades of public safety campaigns, many drivers continue to ignore the basics of safe driving.

“These numbers aren’t coincidences, they’re evidence of habits and risks that Florida can change,” the study noted.

First Point of Impact: How Crashes Begin

The study also analyzed the “first harmful event,” or the first object struck during a crash. In Florida, the results highlight the state’s most vulnerable road users:

• Collisions between vehicles: 1,489 deaths.
• Pedestrians: 740 deaths.
• Cyclists: 231 deaths.
• Fixed objects (trees and curbs): 313 deaths combined.

The high number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths reflects Florida’s long-standing struggles with walkability, poor crosswalk design, and limited lighting. The fact that trees and curbs account for hundreds of fatalities shows that loss of control, often from speeding, distraction, or impaired driving, turns ordinary infrastructure into deadly hazards.

Men and Younger Adults Face the Greatest Risk

The data also highlights a sharp gender and age divide:

• Men accounted for more than two-thirds of deaths (2,250 fatalities). Riskier behaviors such as speeding, drunk driving, and seatbelt refusal drive this disparity.
• Adults aged 25–34 suffered the highest number of fatalities (620), followed by 35–44 year-olds (505) and 55–64 year-olds (455).
• Teenagers and early 20s drivers remain especially vulnerable, with more than 480 combined deaths among 15–24 year-olds.
• Older adults (65+) accounted for 756 deaths, reflecting fragility, slower reaction times, and medical vulnerabilities.
• Children under 15 made up 94 deaths, underscoring the importance of child seat enforcement and pedestrian protection.

Florida’s Deadliest Counties

Not all parts of Florida carry equal risk. Five counties stand out as the most dangerous in 2023:

1. Miami-Dade County: 329 fatalities
2. Hillsborough County (Tampa): 231 fatalities
3. Broward County (Fort Lauderdale): 207 fatalities
4. Orange County (Orlando): 175 fatalities
5. Duval County (Jacksonville): 166 fatalities

Together, these counties were responsible for more than 30% of the state’s crash deaths. Each combines dense populations, complex road networks, and heavy tourist traffic.

Tourism Adds to Traffic Pressure

Tourism plays a unique role in Florida’s crash risk. Miami’s nightlife, Tampa’s Busch Gardens, Orlando’s Disney World, Fort Lauderdale’s beaches, and Jacksonville’s coastal attractions bring millions of additional drivers onto local roads each year. Rental cars, unfamiliar routes, and congested highways add another layer of risk on top of everyday commuting.

The Way Forward

The study concludes that Florida’s traffic deaths are overwhelmingly preventable. Stronger measures could reduce the toll, including:

• Expanding DUI prevention programs and ignition interlock use.
• Increasing seatbelt enforcement and public education.
• Investing in safer pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure.
• Using speed cameras and distracted driving penalties to curb dangerous behavior.
• Targeting interventions in Florida’s five deadliest counties, where both residents and tourists face heightened risk.

“With over 3,000 Floridians lost in a single year, doing nothing isn’t an option,” the report concludes. “Stronger enforcement and smarter infrastructure can save lives, especially in the counties where residents and tourists share the busiest roads.”