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Florida Road Safety Better But Lags In Key Areas

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By RICH SHOPES

rshopes@tampatrib.com

Published: January 13, 2009

TAMPA - Florida has done better when it comes to passing highway safety laws but lags in key areas, an advocacy group says.

Highway deaths in the state fell slightly from 2006 to 2007, the Washington-based Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety said in a report released Monday.

Florida got higher marks largely because the group recognized the state's ignition-interlock program, which uses alcohol-detection devices to prevent drunken drivers from starting their vehicles.

The law doesn't apply to first-time DUI offenders, so Florida only got half-credit.

The 55-page Roadmap Report casts Florida as a "yellow state," along with 30 others, meaning it has room to improve. The ratings of poorest to best overall safety laws are based on red, yellow and green.

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia were given green ratings for having adequate driver protections. Four states received red designations: Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

The Sunshine State scored 9 out of a possible 15, a half-point improvement over last year.

Florida could have achieved a green had it passed a primary seatbelt law, a mandatory motorcycle helmet law or a booster seat law, among others, the group said. In Florida, seatbelt laws can be enforced only if a motorist is stopped for a primary violation, such as speeding.

Florida had 3,214 road deaths in 2007, a drop of 160. The group said it expects fatalities declined again in 2008, possibly because the poor economy meant people drove less.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is a coalition of insurance, consumer, health, safety and law enforcement organizations.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633.

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