Florida tops the nation in fatalities for teen drivers

[Trucking News]

A study on crash statistics released by Allstate Insurance Co. shows Florida leading the nation in terms of death rates for teen drivers.

More...

[Blakowt13]

...and Japan leads the world in Teen suicides...so go figure.

[Cerberus]

growing up in florida i am not surprised by this. some really bad drivers down there. and with it being a vacation hotspot probably adds to these statistics as well.

[RobW]

I'm not shocked. One of my brothers has an 18yr old son who lives and drives in FL. He's BEEN HIT by 2 deer already... They each crashed into the side of his car, and he was uninjured both times. My brother has also collided with 2 deer, btw. They live just an hour or so from Jax...

The 3 largest cities are probably those mentioned on their list. Jax is clearly the largest(in the nation) and has millions of residents these days. Miami may be close in population to the others, but those others are more spread out and have more drivers going more distance.

Couple all other problematic issues with drinking and you have a recipe for disaster... Just last month, 5 people were killed in 3 seperate crashes within an hour of where I live. Drinking was involved in all 3. And 4 killed were teens. All that happened in only 1 day. It's sad.

About 2-4mo ago, 5 teens were killed in one crash when the 18yr old driver lost control of his dads BMW M5 at an estimated 160mph. The crash data apparently showed the car hit the trees(about 100yrds from the road) at about 142mph. Full details weren't released to that end, but it was clear that the car was moving very fast before the crash, or it wouldn't have gone 300' before slamming trees and killing the occupants. That just shows that lack of driver education is also part of the problem. Along with the well known "invincible" outlook most teens share.

[Cerberus]

teenage drivers in fla suck. my sister was hit by one a year ago and it destroyed her car. she had to be cut out of the car. she has been on medication for pain and inflammation of the muscles in her back. she has to have major back surgery now and just recently has gotten back to work part time. the young punk was driving a truck and speeding. he's 18 and had no injuries. he has shortened my sisters life by years because of his stupidity of speeding around a turn and hitting her. right now i help my sister financially so she doesn't lose everything. all i can say this is one lucky punk , because if i was there , well enough said. use your imagination. f^k'n with my family is the worse thing anybody can do to me and in my eyes he deserves a chainsaw enima with a dull rusty blade.

[RobW]

Yeah, I was gonna add info about the roads themselves, including turns at the end of long anussuming straightaways... It's another common cause of the end of young drivers more than those more experienced(30 and up).

I've been hit by a teen in FL, but the worst FL crash(I've been hit here at least 6 times) was done by an 85yr old grandma... She ran into the back of my stopped car at an interection which had TWELVE traffic lights! There were only two lanes... She never saw any of those, or my brakelights... So it's more than just teens for sure. And she told me that was her 2nd crash that week! And 4th that month. I suggested in no uncertain terms, she should give up driving. And the next day, I saw her car listed for sale in the paper. LOL I called to verify... Sure 'nough, she was handing in her keys.

Too bad we don't do that with the kids as well. Learn 'em to drive at 12... LET THEM drive alone at 20! Well, okay... 19.

[Cerberus]

most of the time i ride a motorcycle. i was at the corner of university and atlantic at a light back in '91 when i got bumped into by a driver. didn't do any damage but i was pissed that the idiot hit me. light turned green and i got the hell out of dodge as i didn't want to be around any driver not paying attention enough to a red light much less stopped traffic.

[RobW]

Had to place University and Atlantic... JAX! I refused to own a bike when I lived in S. FL, but I'm 80m or so south of Jax now and own two. I really enjoy riding, but haven't done much lately. Tryin' to sell either bike, then I'll get something new. It sucks though, because there are so very many bad drivers in FL.

[Cerberus]

there's bad drivers every where. why do you think they call us organ donors ? i'd rather die on a bike than live in a car.

[RobW]

I'd rather die lying in my bed, at about 100yrs young. That's just me...