Florida is the third most dangerous state to drive at night, tourists are key in this ranking.

A recent study by MoneyGeek has ranked Florida as the third most dangerous state for driving at night in the United States. The report, based on the analysis of more than 93,000 fatal accidents reported by the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) of the NHTSA, reveals that driving at night is nine times more dangerous than driving during the day.

Statistics indicate that 83% of car trips occur during the day, while 47% of fatal accidents happen during those hours. In contrast, only 9% of trips are made at night, but that small percentage represents an alarming 49% of all fatalities.

With this data, MoneyGeek evaluated the risk of driving at night in each state, concluding that California is the most dangerous, with a risk 12.1 times greater than during the day. Hawaii followed in second place with a risk 12 times greater, while Florida ranked third, with a risk 11.2 times higher.

Florida presents several factors that make it particularly dangerous to drive at night compared to other states. One of these factors is the large influx of tourists visiting Florida, which means there are many drivers unfamiliar with the roads and their conditions, potentially increasing the likelihood of accidents, especially at night. Additionally, the state has a high concentration of densely populated urban areas, such as Miami and Orlando, where traffic and road infrastructure can be complicated to navigate, particularly in low visibility conditions. Another important factor is the weather; humidity and frequent rains at night can worsen visibility and pavement conditions, increasing the risk of accidents. Finally, Florida has a significant population of older adults, who may face more difficulties driving at night due to age-related vision issues.

Next, the 5 states where it is much more dangerous to drive at night than during the day:

1. California12.1 times more dangerous
2. Hawaii12.0 times more dangerous
3. Florida11.2 times more dangerous
4. Texas10.8 times more dangerous
5. Maryland10.6 times more dangerous

Driving at night presents several additional risks, such as decreased visibility, a higher risk of glare from the headlights of other vehicles, the presence of tired drivers who may fall asleep, and an increase in the number of drivers under the influence of alcohol. To minimize these risks, experts from iDriveSafely recommend always checking the vehicle's lights, avoiding direct eye contact with the headlights of other cars, reducing speed, and maintaining distance from other vehicles. It is also essential to avoid distractions and to never drive if alcohol has been consumed.

Accidents in Florida, and more specifically in Miami, are a daily occurrence.

In February 2024, a 23-year-old Cuban died in a traffic accident in Sarasota, Florida. The young man, identified as Williams Blanco, lost his life after colliding his vehicle with a pickup truck on Interstate 75. The tragic event shocked his family and friends, who expressed their grief through social media. Shortly after, a woman and her nine-year-old daughter were injured after being hit by a vehicle in Miami. The incident involved a Palm Medical Centers vehicle that struck the victims while they were waiting on a sidewalk.

In April, a serious accident in Hialeah left two people dead and two others injured, including a minor. The collision involved three vehicles, one of which ended up crashing into a house. In August, several serious accidents were reported. On the 19th, two people were injured in a multiple-vehicle accident in Miami-Dade, while several fatalities were reported in Daytona Beach after a vehicle struck a pole. A few days later, on August 25, an accident on the I-95 highway left a driver and a Florida Highway Patrol officer injured.

In September, a man died on the Palmetto Expressway in Miami after crashing his vehicle into a tree. At the end of the month, a car fell off a bridge on the I-95 in Miami; fortunately, its occupants managed to escape unharmed. Finally, in October, a massive accident on the I-95 in Miami involved more than 20 vehicles, causing significant damage and blocking traffic for several hours.