Understanding Port St. Lucie’s Traffic Safety Statistics: A Deep Dive into The Data

Nearly every community in the Sunshine State is impacted in some way by vehicle collisions and crashes. Over 3,100 people died in Florida traffic accidents in 2024 alone, and another 246,378 were injured. 

However, not every community faces the same level of risk. Here’s what you need to know about traffic safety and key statistics in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Key Traffic Statistics to Know for St. Lucie County

Car accidents in Port St. Lucie are a major concern for both residents and local authorities. As the largest city in St. Lucie County, many traffic accidents occur inside Port St. Lucie’s city limits or within the greater metro area. 

 A local police department investigates the majority of the car crashes that occur in the county. Take a closer look at key statistics for this area:

General Accident Trends

Overall, nearly 390,000 traffic crashes of all severities happened in Florida in 2024. Of these, 5,665 accidents were reported across St. Lucie County. This data reveals that around 2% of all Florida wrecks occurred in St. Lucie County.

These numbers are roughly similar to 2023’s statistics. That year, 5,679 accidents were reported, about 68% of which were responded to by a local police department. The remaining 32% of accidents were handled by the sheriff’s office and the Florida Highway Patrol.

Injuries vs. Fatalities

Not every St. Lucie County crash resulted in an injury or death. However, 2,244 of the county’s 5,665 accidents in 2024 led to a total of 3,404 injuries. Another 44 crashes resulted in a total of 52 deaths. 

These fatalities included:

• One bicyclist
• Eight motorcyclists
• Six individuals who were killed in hit-and-run accidents
• Eight pedestrians

This total is slightly higher than the total number of fatalities and injuries that occurred in 2023. That year, a total of 49 people were killed and 3,314 were injured. Thirteen of these fatalities occurred in Port St. Lucie.

Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Crashes in Port St. Lucie

Driver carelessness is the root cause of many crashes in Port St. Lucie and throughout Florida. Careless behavior, or negligence, can take many forms when it comes to driving. 

Some of these behaviors include:

• Driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two
• Driving while distracted by an electronic device
• Speeding, following too closely, or engaging in other aggressive driving behaviors
• Disregarding right-of-way rules, traffic signs, and traffic signals
• Driving while fatigued or drowsy

Another common careless behavior that causes car accidents is unsafe or improper lane departure. This can occur when a driver changes lanes without checking their blind spots, accidentally drifts over the centerline and into oncoming traffic, or crosses several lanes of traffic while turning without first making sure it is safe to do so.

Driving Safely in Port St. Lucie and Beyond

Although the total number of accidents in St. Lucie County may seem small compared to the state’s total number, they are still significant. About 15 accidents happen on average daily, which has stayed generally consistent between 2023 and 2024. In addition, the number of injuries and fatalities is increasing.

Nonetheless, whether you are traveling in Port St. Lucie or anywhere else in Florida, you can effectively protect yourself and others from crashes by staying alert on the road and always prioritizing safe driving behaviors.