Car accidents in Florida and across the nation happen for many different reasons, but some dangerous driving behaviors consistently lead to serious crashes year after year. According to a recent AAA study, three behaviors, in particular, account for a significant portion of accidents: speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive driving.
“Behind every deadly statistic is a real person,” said Dr. David Yang, President and Executive Director of the AAA Foundation. “This work helps us uncover the public’s perspective on traffic safety, enabling the creation of targeted solutions that make a real difference in reducing traffic crashes and fatalities.”
Understanding these behaviors and their impact can help raise awareness and encourage safer driving habits—but when a negligent driver causes harm, it's important to know your legal rights. If you or someone you love was injured in a Tampa crash, a car accident lawyer can help you hold at-fault drivers accountable and pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Common Are These Three Deadly Driving Behaviors?
Unfortunately, speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive driving are alarmingly common both across the U.S. and throughout Florida. According to AAA’s latest annual survey, this “deadly trio” of behaviors plays a significant role in serious and fatal car accidents. Here’s what the data reveals:
Speeding
- 49% of drivers admitted to driving at least 15 mph over the speed limit at least once.
- 36% admitted to driving 10 mph over the limit on residential streets.
Nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. involve speeding, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Florida’s mix of congested highways and busy urban streets makes it especially prone to speeding-related crashes.
Distracted Driving
- 27% of drivers admitted to sending a text or email while driving.
- 36% admitted to holding a cellphone and talking while driving.
- 37% admitted to reading a text or email behind the wheel.
In 2022 alone, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported that distracted driving caused over 50,000 crashes statewide, resulting in more than 300 deaths.
Aggressive Driving
- 27% of drivers admitted to running a red light at least once in the past month.
These statistics show how prevalent reckless driving behaviors are—and why continued education and enforcement efforts are critical.
Why Are Speeding, Distractions, and Aggression So Dangerous?
Each of these dangerous driving behaviors stems from deliberate choices or negligence that significantly increase the risk of a serious car accident. Here’s why these behaviors are so deadly:
- Speeding - Driving over the speed limit may seem harmless, but it’s one of the leading factors in fatal crashes. Higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase the force of impact during a collision. In 2022 alone, speeding contributed to over 11,000 fatalities nationwide, making it a top cause of car accident deaths.
- Distracted Driving - Distractions—such as texting, eating, or adjusting the radio—take a driver’s focus off the road. The NHTSA reported that distracted driving caused over 3,500 deaths last year. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it involves visual, manual, and cognitive distractions all at once, leaving drivers blind to the road for critical seconds.
- Aggressive Driving - Aggressive driving includes behaviors like tailgating, weaving between lanes, and shouting at other drivers. These actions can escalate into road rage, resulting in reckless maneuvers and high-speed collisions. According to AAA, aggressive driving contributes to approximately 50% of all traffic fatalities.
5 Tips To Stay Safe and Avoid Dangerous Drivers
While you can’t control how others behave on the road, there are proactive steps you can take to stay safe and avoid dangerous drivers:
- Stay aware of your surroundings: Keep an eye on nearby vehicles, especially if you notice speeding, erratic lane changes, or aggressive behavior.
- Maintain a safe distance: Leave enough space between your car and other vehicles to give yourself time to react if someone drives recklessly.
- Avoid distractions: Keep your focus on the road by putting your phone away, limiting in-car distractions, and staying alert.
- Follow the speed limit: Drive at a safe and legal speed, adjusting for weather and traffic conditions when necessary.
- Don’t engage with aggressive drivers: If another driver is tailgating or acting aggressively, avoid making eye contact or responding with similar behavior. Instead, slow down safely or change lanes to let them pass.
Even with defensive driving, accidents caused by speeding, distracted, or aggressive drivers can still happen. When they do, the aftermath can be overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with medical expenses, lost wages, and other hardships.
The Cost of Dangerous Driving Behaviors in Florida
Speeding, distractions, and aggressive driving don’t just cause devastating injuries—they also come with significant financial and emotional costs for crash victims and their families.
- Medical Expenses - Serious accidents often lead to costly hospital stays, surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. In many cases, victims also face ongoing costs for physical therapy, medications, and assistive devices.
- Lost Wages and Earning Potential - Severe injuries can force victims to miss work or even prevent them from returning to their previous jobs. This loss of income can create financial strain, especially for families that depend on the injured person’s earnings.
- Property Damage - From totaled vehicles to expensive repairs, the costs of fixing or replacing a car after a crash can quickly add up. Insurance companies often try to lowball victims on property damage claims, leaving many to cover the difference out of pocket.
- Emotional Distress and Pain and Suffering - The trauma of a serious accident can impact a victim’s mental health, causing anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These emotional effects can linger long after physical injuries have healed.
The financial, physical, and emotional toll of a car accident can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. A Florida car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for all your losses, from medical bills to pain and suffering, ensuring you have the resources needed to recover and move forward.
Get the Legal Support You Need After a Serious Car Accident
No matter how many safety campaigns or laws are in place, reckless drivers who speed, text, or drive aggressively will always put others at risk. If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by someone else’s dangerous behavior, you deserve justice and fair compensation for your losses.
At Armando Personal Injury Law, our experienced Tampa car accident lawyers understand the tactics insurance companies use to downplay claims. We’ve helped countless crash victims secure the compensation they need for medical bills, lost wages, and more. When you work with us, you’ll have a dedicated legal team that fights for your best interests every step of the way.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact Armando Personal Injury Law today for a free case consultation with a Tampa car accident attorney you can count on. We’re ready to help you move forward with confidence.
“Armando represented me and my wife in a car accident. He was responsive, available, and his staff is great!” – Hassanein S., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐