As a Tampa resident, 2020 has not been a good year for you thus far in terms of the risk you face whenever you drive. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department reports that 5,023 motor vehicle accidents occurred in Hillsborough County between January 1 and March 17 of this year.
Unfortunately, 33 of those crashes resulted in 37 deaths, and 4,106 additional people suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident during this time period.
Hit and run statistics
Believe it or not, Hillsborough County saw 1,397 hit and run accidents during the first 76 days of this year. Four people died and 326 people sustained injuries.
Pedestrian statistics
Nine people died as the result of the 149 pedestrian crashes that occurred.
Motorcycle and bicycle statistics
Motorcyclists and bicyclists fared little better. If you love taking your cycle out for a thrilling ride on the roads in and surrounding Tampa, be aware that four riders have met their death so far this year. Another 129 riders sustained injuries when their motorcycle crashed.
If you cycle as part of your exercise program or recreational activities, you face substantial risk of injury or death when you cycle in Hillsborough County. In only the first 2-1/2 months of 2020, three cyclists died and an additional 126 sustained injuries.
Investigative agency statistics
Perhaps not surprisingly, local police departments investigated 38.90% of the Hillsborough County accidents that occurred so far in 2020. The Sheriff’s Department investigated slightly fewer, at 34.97%. Third place went to the Florida Highway Patrol, which investigated 26.10%. These statistics seemingly indicate that you face a higher risk of injury or death when you drive on city streets and roads as opposed to freeways or rural roads.