Why does Florida have so many motorcycle accidents? This is the most dangerous intersection
Florida is one of the most popular states for motorcycle riders and even hosts one of the biggest annual bike rallies in the U.S., in Daytona Beach.
And while the Sunshine State's year-round warm weather and coastal roads can make it a biker's paradise, it is also one of the most dangerous places in the U.S. to ride a motorcycle.
According to a recent national study from Georgia-based personal injury law firm Jones and Swanson, Florida actually led the country for the most motorcycle accident-related deaths in 2024 – for the third year in a row.
Here are the most dangerous states for riding motorcycles, where the most dangerous intersection for motorcyclists is in Florida and why the state tops the list.
To find the most dangerous states for motorcycle drivers, Jones and Swanson collected motorcycle fatality data from the The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), compared helmet laws and DUI enforcement and penalties in each state and identified high-risk intersections using Florida DOT crash reports.
'For the third consecutive year, Florida ranks number one in motorcycle deaths, far surpassing other states,' the study says.
'Weak helmet laws, high DUI-related crashes, and unchanged high-risk intersections continue to endanger riders. With 1,024 DUI-related motorcycle crashes in 2024, Florida remains one of the weakest states for DUI enforcement, putting not only motorcyclists but all road users at risk.'
According to the study and NHTSA data, Florida saw 550 motorcycle-related deaths from January through September 2024 – this is down from 560 in 2023, but still 40 more than the next most-dangerous state on the list.
Here are the five most dangerous states for motorcycle drivers, based on data from 2024:
Florida
California
Texas
Arizona
Georgia
'While overall traffic deaths in the U.S. declined, Florida's motorcycle fatalities remain disproportionately high, proving that policy failures, weak safety enforcement, and neglected crash hotspots are putting lives in danger,' the study says.
Why is car insurance so expensive? Insurance expert weighs in on high rates in Florida
This study, which uses data only through September 2024, attributes the disproportionately high rate of motorcycle-related deaths in Florida to loose helmet laws and a need for stricter DUI penalties in the state.
'As Florida continues to host major motorcycle events like Daytona Bike Week and Biketoberfest, the risks for riders are greater than ever,' the study says.
'Without immediate legislative reforms, including stronger helmet laws, stricter DUI penalties, and infrastructure improvements at known deadly intersections, 2024 could become another record-breaking year for motorcycle deaths in Florida.'
According to the study, Florida's most dangerous intersection for motorcyclists lies right outside of Fort Myers, at the intersection of State Road 82 and Daniels Parkway.
And the Fort Myers News-Press reports that authorities are cracking down on traffic violations and addressing dangerous driving along S.R. 82 this week, with an increased Florida Highway Patrol presence on the roadway on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
'Florida Highway Patrol officers took reign of State Road 82 on Wednesday night, cracking down on dangerous driving practices with a wave of traffic stops, citations and arrests after growing complaints about safety,' the News-Press reported.
'The 'Slow your Ride 82' operation was intended to send a proactive message to traffic law breaking motorists, according to the troopers.'
The News-Press report said that Between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Wednesday, several specialized FHP units were active along S.R. 82, with an ELITE DUI Squad, Aggressive Driving Unit, Contraband Interdiction Unit with K9 and a drug recognition expert.
Here are the results of the traffic stops on Wednesday, according to the News-Press report:
Four drug arrests, Seven felonies
One stolen vehicle — a 2024 GMC Sierra
Four unlicensed drivers
29 speeding citations
19 other citations — faulty equipment, seatbelts, expired tag, no insurance
54 warnings
Four vehicles towed
More on the FHP crackdown: Troopers stop 100 drivers from Fort Myers to Immokalee in reckless driving crackdown
You are allowed to ride a motorcycle in Florida without a helmet, but you have to be at least 21 years old and have an insurance policy that covers at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred while operating or riding on a motorcycle, according to the state statutes.
'A person may not operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless the person is properly wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head which complies with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218 promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation,' the state statute says.
'A person over 21 years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head if such person is covered by an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle.'
Yes. If you're riding a motorcycle without a helmet in Florida and are under 21 or don't have the proper insurance coverage, you can be ticketed.
But don't worry about being swept away to jail, if you do break this law. A ticket for not wearing a helmet while on a motorcycle is a noncriminal traffic infraction, similar to speeding violations, which means you'll be fined and may have to attend a driving class.
'A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation,' the state statute says.
Contributing: Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida's deadliest intersection for motorcyclists: Where it is
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