ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida recorded the third-highest number of fatal crashes during October over a recent five-year period, according to a new analysis of federal traffic data.
Strype Injury Lawyers analyzed information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, or FARS, covering 2020 through 2024.
The analysis found 1,397 fatal crashes occurred in Florida during October over those five years. Only California, with 1,837 crashes, and Texas, with 1,769, recorded more.
However, the ranking is based on raw crash totals and does not account for differences in population, traffic volume or the number of miles driven in each state.
October crashes represented 8.75% of Florida’s 15,959 fatal crashes during the five-year period. That was below the nationwide October share of 9.49%.
In other words, Florida’s high ranking largely reflects the total number of fatal crashes in the state, not an unusually large share occurring during October.
FARS includes crashes involving a motor vehicle on a public trafficway in which someone dies within 30 days, according to NHTSA. The figures count crashes, not the number of people killed.
California ranked first, followed by Texas, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
Alaska recorded the fewest fatal October crashes during the study period, with 24. Rhode Island had 25, followed by Vermont with 33.
Researchers said shorter daylight hours and increased pedestrian activity around Halloween could create additional risks for drivers and families.
NHTSA’s Halloween safety guidance urges drivers to slow down in residential areas, watch for children entering the street and arrange a sober ride before attending celebrations involving alcohol.
Families are also encouraged to use sidewalks and crosswalks, remain visible after dark and remind children to check for traffic before crossing streets or driveways.
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