Vehicles are driven along I-95 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Driving in Florida is quite dangerous. I think have some of the worst drivers in the country. The traffic from Naples through Fort Myers on 41 is just relentless. Sometimes you forget just how bad it is until you go somewhere else. I was in Columbus, Ohio last month and was downtown in the noon hour. I could easily cross 3 lanes in less than a block to make a left turn. And that's a major city. Here in Florida, it's sometimes a challenge to even leave a parking lot without a stoplight. No one wants to let you out. We're a dangerous blend of meandering snowbirds and aggressive locals. But how do Florida cities stack up against other states when it comes to having the worst drivers?
A study was done that included statistics like speeding, citations, accidents, and DUI's. Not to give away too many spoilers, but I'll be honest, if you think it's bad here in Florida - you should try driving in California.
Orlando comes in at number 28 on this top 30 worst drivers list.
The reasons cited were the high number of speeding citations and accidents. If you've ever driven down I4 on your way to one of the theme parks, you know this to be true. There's even a section of I4 in Sanford that's reportedly haunted, built over the top of unmarked graves. They call it "The Dead Zone". There's been reports of paranormal activity such as floating orbs, poor cell reception, and mysterious happenings. I think driving in Florida is dangerous enough, we don't need ghost roads, too.
Miami is a little worse, they're number 24 on the list.
Miami has a high number of accidents with citations. Which usually means that someone was driving in an unsafe manner and caused the wreck. The next time you're in Miami, look around at the other vehicles. A lot of them have scuffed bumpers, dents, and other marks. It's tough to keep your car looking nice in Miami. Body shops there must make a killing.
At number 14, it's Tampa.
The study cites Tampa as having a high accident rate, high DUI offenses, and speeding. True, true, and true. People race over the Gandy Bridge, which can lead to accidents. And the drinking? The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported 53 DUI arrests over the New Years weekend.
Finally, the Florida city with the worst drivers. Jacksonville.
Jacksonville is the 10th worst city nationwide on this list. They're one of the worst places in the country for speeding, resulting in a high number of citations. Part of this results from the high number of speed traps in the area. If you're not familiar with the area, there's a lot of places where you'd think the speed limit would be higher than it actually is. And that's how they get you.
After Jacksonville, the top 10 on the list is dominated by California. Bakersfield took the highest spot particularly thanks to all the DUI's. They also have a high ranking for speeding, citations, and accidents. California is no joke, I only Uber when I'm there. A few years ago when I was in Los Angeles I saw a police officer furiously pounding on his steering wheel because he couldn't get past all the traffic. He had his lights and sirens activated - but no one cared.
Fort Myers Traffic Congestion Is Now As Bad As Tampa
Going into the holidays we definitely saw an uptick in traffic in Fort Myers. Now that it's spring things are much worse. I knew things have been getting increasingly worse traffic-wise over the years but I didn't think this. According to a traffic congestion ranking index, the Fort Myers-Cape Coral metro area is now seen as the 13th worse in the country for traffic congestion. Heading to the other coast for spring break? Miami is much worse. So how is this ranking done?
According to TomTom "We calculate the baseline per city by analyzing free-flow travel times of all vehicles on the entire road network – recorded 24/7, 365 days a year. This information allows us to also calculate, for example, how much extra time a driver will spend in traffic during rush hour."
So the devices in our cars know whether we're moving or stopped in traffic. The data is then compiled to determine in which cities you're most likely to be stuck and not moving on the roads. From this, they determine a 'congestion level' which is a percentage. From there a formula is used to determine how much time the average commuter loses each year sitting in traffic. It's data like this that shows why living close to where you work and shop is ideal. So how much time do you lose each year sitting in traffic? It's not hours. It's days.
1. New York
New York has a congestion level of 35%. An typical driver in New York loses an average of 80 hours per year sitting in traffic. And while you're sitting there, you up your chances to get carjacked.
2. Los Angeles
33% congestion level. That breaks down to 75 hours a year lost. The traffic jams there can be so bad that even the police can't get through to deal with crimes. That's why LAPD is always using helicopters.
3. Miami
Remember the lyric "Two miles an hour so everybody sees you." Yeah, it's about Miami. A congestion level of 28% means 64 hours a year sitting in traffic. At least if you're stopped in traffic, they'll be less damage when someone hits you.
4. Baton Rouge
27% congestion level costs 62 hours per year. Some good news, though, they plan to keep all lanes of I-10 open when they widen it.
5. San Francisco
They have a congestion level of 26% which means 59 hours each year sitting in traffic. Keep the windows up, the smell seeps in when you're stopped. But check out this cool little device they use to help.
6. Chicago
A 24% congestion level means 55 hours a year lost to traffic. And it's cold there. Hope you got heated seats. Plus they have snowplow fires.
7. Honolulu
Bet you didn't know that traffic on the island is pretty bad. A 23% congestion level is 52 hours a year not being at a luau. I've never heard go things about Hawaii traffic.
8. Seattle
Grab a Starbucks. Your congestion level is also 23% for 52 hours a year staring at tail lights. Did you get one of those Starbucks Stanley Tumblers? People were ready to fight over those.
9. Riverside
Same. 23% for 52 hours. At least the weather is probably nice. Open the sunroof, enjoy your day. But keep your Twitter alerts on.
10. Philadelphia
At least you can sit in your car listening to sports guys talk about the Eagles. 22% congestion level for 50 hours a year. Gone. Maybe we can get the fans to stop tearing down the signals.
11. Atlanta
How is this not worse? Driving I75 through Atlanta is one of the more punishing journeys you can make. Atlanta has a 21% congestion level. 48 hours a year stuck in traffic.
12. Tampa
You knew we'd get to this one. Tampa also has a 21% congestion level costing the average commuter 48 hours a year. Waiting. Except for the people drag racing over the bridges.
13. Cape Coral-Fort Myers
That's right, we're tied with Tampa. A 21% congestion level. 48 hours - 2 full days each year - wasted, sitting in traffic. Especially on 41. And it's not just the cars.
If you're interested in the full study, here's the pdf:
This is why I insisted on living close to work. I pick my 'drive to work song' and I'm usually pulling up as the song is finishing. Today was some classic Run The Jewels from about 5 years back.
What about Work From Home?
Obviously that's the best way to save yourself two full days each year. And since people keep moving here to SWFL (even with the hurricanes), I'm expecting traffic to get even worse.
