Despite the well-known dangers associated with drunk driving, there are nearly 30 DUI fatalities in the United States every day. On a more positive note, the number of DUI deaths in Florida declined by six percent between 2012 and 2017. While this is an undoubtedly promising statistic, a recently published report has revealed that DUI death rates vary significantly among the cities and counties within the state.
Miami ranked 105 among all cities, with a DUI death rate of 0.25 fatalities per 100,000 residents: this makes it one of the safest areas in Florida. This may come as a surprise to some, given the fact that Miami-Dade County has the highest population in the state. In fact, the report revealed that DUI death rates are highest in lightly populated, rural areas of Florida. This is likely due to rural drivers’ tendency to travel for longer distances at higher speeds than drivers in densely populated cities like Miami.
The most dangerous area in the state is Hamilton County, which has a population of less than 15,000 residents but a whopping rate of 20.27 DUI fatalities per 100,000 residents. Miami-Dade ranked 66 out of 67 counties, with a rate of 0.96 DUI fatalities per 100,000 residents. This means that residents in Miami-Dade County, which boasts a population of nearly 2.5 million, are 21 times less likely to be killed than those in Hamilton County.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a drunken driving accident, you can turn to the personal injury lawyers of Baron, Herskowitz, and Cohen for the legal representation you need. Consultations can be requested through our online contact form or, for a more immediate response, by calling the office directly at (305) 670-0101.
