Here is some good news to start the new year. The number of people killed in Jacksonville car crashes is dropping.
Fatalities dropped 14 percent in a year, from 2,986 in 2008 to 2,570 in 2009, according to preliminary figures released last week by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
The rates also declined in Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. One more motorist died in Clay County in 2009, but its 16 fatalities was still 11 less than the 27 fatalities in 2007.
Safety advocates and law enforcement officials listed a wide variety of reasons for the decline, including better safety equipment, more driver education, new seat belt laws and increased police patrols in areas where accidents can occur.
“The most important factor that impacts our fatality rate is driver behavior,” said Lt. Bill Leeper of the Florida Highway Patrol. “But we also know that other factors such as roadway conditions, vehicle conditions, weather conditions and even economic conditions can impact these totals.”
Targeted education and enforcement campaigns that focus on wearing a seat belt, not driving drunk and avoiding distractions behind the wheel have all helped lower the fatality rate. If you have been in a Jacksonville car accident be sure to call an experience Jacksonville car accident lawyer.