There are many safety concerns about the busy roadway that serves Tampa
A proposed improvement project being considered for U.S. Route 301 in Hillsborough County, Florida, would hopefully reduce traffic congestion and prevent car accidents on the busy route connecting Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
“That road — it definitely needs widening,” local resident Raymond Smith said recently in an interview with ABC Action News Tampa Bay about the proposed Route 301 road improvement project.
So, how bad is the traffic congestion on U.S. Route 301 in Hillsborough County? How common are accidents on this two-lane, undivided highway? The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been studying this issue and recently began holding public meetings to gather information and explain the proposed project.
Serious car accidents are common on US Route 301
Car accidents on the 13.1 mile-long stretch of U.S. Route 301 connecting Hillsborough and Pasco counties have become extremely common in recent years. According to FDOT, there have been 36 head-on collisions and 17 car accident fatalities on this section of U.S. Route 301.
To put those numbers in perspective, a total of 271 people died and another 18,695 people were injured in 28,014 car accidents in Hillsborough County last year, according to accident data collected by FDOT.
As for Pasco County, 8,149 car accidents last year resulted in 104 motor vehicle fatalities and 7,592 injuries, according to FDOT car accident data.
What is the Proposed improvement project?
The proposed U.S. Route 301 project would involve widening a 13.1 mile-long stretch of the two-lane road between Fowler Avenue in Thonotosassa and would continue past Hillsborough River State Park to the intersection of U.S. Route 301 and State Road 56 in Zephyrhills.
US Route 301 is “a major north-south roadway used for travel through Hillsborough and Pasco counties and provides access to many of the area’s major roadways, including I-4, SR 39, SR 54, and SR 52," according to FDOT.
The proposed road improvement project would cost an estimated $199.5 million, and it is still in the early stages of development.
“We have a preliminary design, but there’s no right-of-way (acquisition) or construction funded,” FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson said in an interview with ABC Action News Tampa Bay.
Why do so many crashes happen on US Route 301?
Car accidents happen on US Route 301 for many of the same reasons why crashes happen on other roads throughout Hillsborough County, including:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol: Drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal car accidents in Hillsborough County. On average, 54 people die each year in Hillsborough County drunk driving accidents.
- Speeding: Each year, crashes involving speeding drivers cause an average of 27 fatal car accidents in Hillsborough County.
- Distracted driving, especially those who text while operating a motor vehicle.
- Hit-and-run accidents: There are more than 7,000 hit-and-runs each year, causing an average of more than 1,900 injuries and 20 fatalities.
Whatever type of crash you were in or whatever the cause, make sure you fully understand your rights. Make sure you talk to an attorney right away.
Call a Tampa car accident lawyer for a free consultation
The sooner you have an attorney investigating your Hillsborough County car accident, the better. Your lawyer can explain the legal options available to you and work hard to get you the maximum financial compensation you rightfully deserve. Whether it’s negotiating a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or fighting for you in court if you file a lawsuit, your attorney makes sure your best interests always come first.
Discover what our dedicated legal team can do for you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Tampa car accident attorney you can count on when it matters most. Make an appointment at Armando Personal Injury Law. Our office is located on East 5th Avenue in Tampa, FL.