Key Highlights:
- Franklin County tops Florida with the highest teen driver fatality rate of 152 per 100,000 residents aged 15-19 years.
- Union and Madison counties rank second and third for teen driver fatalities, with 124 and 120 incidents per 100,000 residents aged 15-19 years.
- Liberty County reported zero teen driver fatalities, the lowest among all the Florida counties.
A new study reveals that Franklin County has the highest rate of teen driver fatalities in Florida.
The study by Florida-based Personal Injury lawyer Blakeley Law Firm analyzed teen driver fatality data from 2019 to 2023 across all Florida counties. Using population estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the study calculated teen driver fatality rates per 100,000 residents to determine the counties with the highest crash risks.
10 Highest Counties for Teen Driver Fatalities in Florida
Franklin County ranks first for teen driver fatality risk in Florida, reporting 152 teen driver fatalities per 100,000 residents aged 15-19 years, which is a staggering 198% increase above the statewide average of 51. Between 2019 and 2023, Franklin County, home to just 528 teen residents aged 15-19, recorded an average of 0.8 teen driver fatalities. The county experienced its worst years in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023, each with one fatal incident, while recording zero teen driver fatalities in 2020.
Union County ranks second with a teen driver fatality rate of 124 incidents per 100,000 people aged 15-19 years. That’s 143% higher than the statewide average of 51. From 2019 to 2023, Union County, which had a teen population of 809, reported an average of 1.0 teen driver fatalities yearly. 2021 was the deadliest year with two fatal incidents, while 2022 recorded zero.
Madison County ranks third with a teen driver fatality rate of 120 incidents per 100,000 residents aged 15-19 years, about 135% above the statewide average of 51. With a teen population of 996, the county saw an average of 1.2 teen driver fatalities each year from 2019 to 2023. The highest (three) fatalities were recorded in 2023, while 2020 and 2021 recorded zero.
Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Blakeley Law Firm commented:
“This analysis sheds light on the alarming frequency of teen driver fatalities in Florida’s counties, like Franklin, Union, and Madison County. Each accident reflects real lives affected by injury, loss, and long-term consequences.
“The high rates in these areas underscore systemic issues such as inadequate traffic infrastructure, insufficient lighting, and a lack of targeted safety measures for young drivers. To protect residents and reduce these dangerous incidents, it is crucial for policymakers and local authorities to prioritize investments in roadway safety improvements, implement robust public awareness campaigns, and strengthen traffic law enforcement, particularly focusing on teen driver education and safety.”
Hamilton County is in fourth place for teen driver fatality rates, with 116 incidents per 100,000 residents aged 15-19 years, a 127% increase above the statewide average of 51. During the 2019–2023 timeframe, the county’s teen population of 692 experienced an average of 0.8 teen driver fatalities annually. 2022 recorded the highest of three crashes, while experiencing zero fatal incidents in 2020, 2021, and 2023.
Sumter County takes the fifth position in Florida for teen driver fatality rates, reporting 108 incidents per 100,000 residents aged 15-19 years, surpassing the statewide average of 51 by 112%. Between 2019 and 2023, the county’s teen population of 2,783 averaged 3 teen driver fatalities annually. The county saw its worst year in 2022, with six deadly incidents, while recording one in 2023.
Calhoun County (6th) recorded 104 teen driver fatalities per 100,000 residents, followed by Jefferson County (7th) at 101, Holmes County (8th) at 95, Jackson County (9th) at 81, and DeSoto County (10th) at 80.
Table of Extended Results
The study was conducted by Blakeley Law Firm, a Florida-based personal injury law firm representing clients injured in motor vehicle accidents or those who have lost loved ones due to negligence. The firm focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Methodology
The research analyzed teen driver fatality data from 2019 to 2023 across all Florida counties. Using population estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the study calculated teen driver fatality rates per 100,000 residents to determine the counties with the highest crash risks.
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References/Sources/Materials provided by:
- Teen Driver Fatality Data: https://cdan.dot.gov/query/
- Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ECO827TYMKV3t_G8vU68syNlpDS3ARLXOJ-mq2f7FX4/edit?gid=0#gid=0
- Study By: www.floridainjuryadvocate.com/
