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A report from NBC6, based on official data from Miami-Dade County and its Vision Zero platform, reveals a critical situation regarding road safety: Between 2019 and 2023, there were 6,978 serious accidents that resulted in 8,110 people killed or severely injured.
The local broadcaster accessed the interactive panel of Visión Cero, a tool created by the county to provide transparency on the most severe incidents and guide mitigation efforts.
A 2023 marked by the increase in serious accidents
The report reveals that in 2023 alone, a total of 1,655 people were victims of fatal accidents or serious injuries in Miami-Dade.
Of these, an alarming 44% involved vulnerable users: 20% of the cases affected pedestrians; 16% affected motorcyclists, and 6% affected cyclists.
Compared to 2022, there was an increase in both the number of accidents and the number of victims.
Factors that contribute to accidents
The county identified the main causes that contribute to these incidents:
Adults drivers: 1,020 incidents.
Teen Drivers: 639 incidents.
Distractions while driving: 502 incidents.
Aggressive driving: 436 incidents.
Alcohol: 308 incidents.
Speeding: 277 incidents.
Drugs: 151 incidents.
Local streets, where more tragedies occur
The Visión Cero data showed that local streets are the most common environment for serious accidents (2,224 cases), followed by state highways (1,874) and county roads (1,698).
The interactive map reflected a high concentration of incidents in areas such as Miami, Hialeah, Kendall, Homestead, and Miami Gardens.
In its investigation, NBC6 identified critical spots where accidents frequently occur:
-17 Northwest Avenue and 127th Street: multiple fatal and serious accidents in 2023.
-Southwest 88th Street and 112th Avenue: two fatal accidents last year.
The county explains that many of these intersections are under state control, limiting their ability to intervene directly, although they have recommended improvements to the state transportation authorities.
Cities and areas with the most victims in 2023
Unincorporated area of Miami-Dade: 659 accidents and 771 victims.
City of Miami: 257 accidents and 292 people affected.
Hialeah: 107 accidents and 122 victims.
Miami Gardens: 93 accidents and 117 victims.
Miami Beach: 59 accidents and 61 individuals affected.
Coral Gables: 57 accidents and 63 victims.
In Coral Gables, for example, the accident rate has prompted a state plan to improve infrastructure, with construction set to begin in November.
The challenge of Vision Zero for 2040
The data collected by NBC6 comes from the official Vision Zero website, a strategy launched by Miami-Dade aimed at eradicating all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2040.
"We are working with a task force to establish key performance indicators and track progress year after year," explained Josiel Ferrer-Díaz, interim director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
The program includes infrastructure works, improvements in signage, and awareness campaigns aimed at the community.
The statistics updated to 2023 are just one part of the challenge.
The county expects to release the 2024 data by the end of this month, while Miami-Dade continues to face one of the most concerning road safety crises in South Florida.
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