Palm Bay, FL, Road Safety Overview
Fishing and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the many opportunities that Palm Bay, Florida, offers to get close to nature. Accessing these areas and other parts of the city requires you to use the town’s roads and be exposed to the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Statistics from Martin County, Florida, can give you an idea of how great or small this risk is.
How Common Are Accidents in Martin County?
Florida experienced approximately 400,000 motor vehicle accidents in 2023, not including wrecks involving motorcyclists, bicyclists, and other road users. While Martin County, where Palm Bay is situated, does not account for the majority of these accidents, there is still a risk associated with car accidents in Palm Bay, FL.
Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics
Martin County experienced 3,022 motor vehicle crashes in 2023. These accidents resulted in 15 deaths and 2,050 injuries. The number of crashes is slightly lower than 2022’s total of 3,062 crashes. However, 2021 had the lowest total number of accidents of the three years and saw only 2,912 crashes reported.
In 2021, 27 people died in Martin County motor vehicle accidents. In 2022, that number jumped to 38 deaths. Approximately one-quarter of these incidents happened in Palm Bay. In 2021, ten traffic deaths were reported there, and another five were recorded in 2022. It is unclear how many of the 15 traffic fatalities Martin County experienced in 2023 happened in Palm Bay.
Interstate 95 was the site of at least two fatal accidents in 2022.
Alcohol and Drug-Impaired Driving in Martin County
Ninety crashes in Martin County in 2023 involved an alcohol-impaired driver, two involved a drug-impaired motorist, and a driver impaired by both alcohol and drugs featured in three crashes. Four people died in these 95 impaired driving accidents, while another 58 people suffered injuries.
Motorcyclist, Bicyclist, and Pedestrian Accidents
Car drivers and passengers are not the only ones at risk of injury or death on Palm Bay’s roads. Seventy-two motorcycle accidents were reported in Martin County in 2023, resulting in six motorcyclist deaths and 66 injuries. The number of motorcyclist deaths was twice the total reported in 2022 and higher than the four seen in 2021.
Bicyclists are also at risk of injury and death in Martin County. Eighty-nine such accidents happened in 2023 in Martin County. Two bicyclists were killed, and 85 others were injured. All three metrics were higher than the data reported in 2021 and 2022, suggesting an increasing risk to bicyclists in the county.
Finally, the risk to pedestrians in Martin County decreased between 2021 and 2023. In 2021, 78 pedestrian accidents resulted in three deaths and 41 injuries. However, by 2023, there were only 43 accidents and 39 injuries. No pedestrians died in accidents in 2023.
Safety Tips for Driving in Palm Bay, FL
If you will be traveling to Palm Bay, there are several actions and steps you can take to reduce your risk of being hurt in a traffic collision. These include the following:
- Exercise caution on high-volume roads like Interstate 95
- Obey all traffic laws and speed limits
- Watch for other traffic, and yield the right of way when appropriate
- Do not drink and drive or consume drugs before getting behind the wheel
- Put away distractions like cell phones until you reach your destination
- Drive defensively and avoid motorists who appear to be engaging in reckless behavior
Keep in mind that Palm Bay’s small size does not mean that serious or fatal crashes cannot happen there. However, by familiarizing yourself with the risks, you can take preventive measures to protect yourself and your loved ones.
A Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer Can Help If You’ve Been in an Accident
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident in Palm Beach, Florida, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you get the help you need. A lawyer can evaluate your case, fight for your rights, and ensure you get the compensation you need for all of your accident-related losses.