Traffic deaths on the decline in Florida as nation's mileage goes up

The number of people dying in traffic crashes is dropping within Florida and throughout the United States, that much is clear. But the reason behind the drop is not.

According to statistics released this month by the U.S. Department of Transportation, traffic deaths have plummeted to 1.13 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009, compared to 1.26 in 2008.

At the same time, the number of traffic deaths in Florida dropped by more than 400 in 2009 - the biggest annual drop of any state in the country.

Across the First Coast, the numbers generally dropped when extrapolated to match the national formula.

The rate dropped in Jacksonville from 1.75 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles driven in 2008 to 1.69 in 2009. It dropped in Nassau County from 1.33 to 1.02 and plummeted in St. Johns County from 2.47 to 1.65.

In Clay County, the rate increased from 2.05 to 2.2, although the county had a big drop one year earlier.

In Georgia, the rate decreased from 1.38 in 2008 to 1.2 in 2009.

But although the decrease in traffic deaths is unquestionably good news, questions of why it is happening - and whether it's a permanent drop or a cyclical issue related to the bad economy - remain not uniformly answered.

Federal officials argued this month that the drop in fatalities might be a permanent change. That argument was based on statistics showing the total miles driven increased by 0.2 percent in 2009 within the United States.

It's been assumed that drops in the fatality rate over the last few years were due to the bad economy, with fewer people driving because they had less money. 

The fact that the total miles driven increased but fatalities declined suggests a change in driver behavior, said National Highway Transportation Safety Administrator David Strickland. 

The numbers "reflect the tangible benefits of record seat belt use and strong anti-drunk driving enforcement campaigns," Strickland said.

But that argument doesn't work for Florida, which saw the total number of vehicle miles driven drop by 2 percent in 2009, according to statistics from the Florida Department of Transportation.

St. Johns Sheriff's Office spokesman Chuck Mulligan said his experience is that fewer people are driving.

"Everywhere I go, people are canceling their vacations and not going anywhere," Mulligan said.

Mulligan said the drop in fatalities may be due to safer cars.

"You now have air bags for people in passenger seats," Mulligan said, "and that could be making a difference."

More data is necessary to determine why fatalities are dropping, said Marianne Trussell, FDOT safety administrator.

"I hope people are learning to be better drivers," Trussell said. "But I'm not sure that's the case." 

Most people are becoming more aware that they should wear a seat belt, and are also learning that it's a bad idea to put on makeup, text, make phone calls or otherwise be distracted while driving.

But the biggest challenge will always be the young people who don't think anything can happen to them.

"Our toughest nuts to crack are still the young males," Trussell said. 

Leticia Messam, manager of traffic safety programs for AAA Auto Club South, said young people are growing to understand the importance of seat belts.

"A few days ago, I saw what I assumed was a college student in the car next to me playing his radio really loud," Messam said. "The first thing I noticed when I looked over was that he was wearing a seat belt."

The primary seat belt law that went into effect in July 2009 has made Florida roads safer, she said.

Until then, drivers had to be pulled over for another reason, such as speeding, for police to cite someone for not wearing a seat belt. The law now allows police to pull over someone and ticket them for a seat belt violation alone.

Florida legislators should be recognized for passing laws that have made the roads safer, said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Leeper, citing the multiple crash offender program that requires motorists who have three at-fault crashes within three years to attend a driving school.

But educating the public never ends, he said.

"Hopefully, the downward trend will continue," Leeper said. "But motorists need to be reminded of the importance of utilizing safety restraints, obeying the posted speed limits, not driving impaired, limiting distractions and paying attention to the driving task."

larry.hannan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4470