6 ‘Deadliest Counties for Traffic in the USA’ are in Florida

We all know how bad the traffic is here in Florida.Whether it's a biker weaving through traffic on the 275 or some nutjob riding the shoulder at rush hour blowing past emergency vehicles at 95. It’s confirmed, Florida has 6 of the deadliest counties for traffic fatalities in the United States.

A new report was recently released by ConvoyCarShipping.com listing the deadliest counties for traffic fatalities in the United States. The report says the team “sought out the U.S. counties with the highest rate of traffic fatalities between 2017 and 2022 using data from the Fatalities Analysis Reporting System (FARS).” And, is based on the Forbes Advisor ranking for the cities with the worst drivers. 

Out of the top 20 counties in the country, Florida claims 6 spots which is more than any other state in the US. With one person killed in a car accident every 12 minutes, there are about 40,000 deaths per year involving traffic incidents throughout the country.

Convoy split the deadliest counties into 4 different categories. They focused on population sizes of (0-19,999), (20,000-149,999), (150,000-499,999), and (500,000+). For the purposes of our list, we’re highlighting the 6 counties within the highest category of 500,000+.

Not only did they find the deadliest counties for traffic in the United States, but Convoy also included the deadliest major US highway or interstate within each county during the five-year period. Just a few weeks ago, we shared a Forbes list of the cities with the worst drivers in the country and once again, Florida cities made the cut.

Earlier this year, there was a fatal accident on East Bay with two people dying. A man was driving through Largo, Florida at 92 miles per hour when he struck a vehicle in the intersection killing the two passengers in the car he hit. 

Drivers have gotten so bad around Tampa Bay that law enforcement has started to use completely unmarked vehicles. The Mustang GT, Toyota Camry, Toyota Rav 4, and more everyday civilian vehicles are being used to blend in to catch dangerous drivers.

Volusia County was the 1st overall deadliest county in the U.S. For traffic fatalities.

Population Size: 579,192

Total Number of Fatalities from 2017-2021: 648

Rate of Traffic Fatalities per 10,000 People: 11.19

Deadliest Road In County: US-1

Number of fatalities on the deadliest road from 2017-2021: 82

Polk County was the 4th overall deadliest county in the U.S. For traffic fatalities.

Population Size: 787,404

Total Number of Fatalities from 2017-2021: 675

Rate of Traffic Fatalities per 10,000 People: 8.57

Deadliest Road In County: US-27 & SR-60

Number of fatalities on the deadliest road from 2017-2021: 70

Pasco County was the 5th overall deadliest county in the U.S. For traffic fatalities.

Population Size: 608,794

Total Number of Fatalities from 2017-2021: 515

Rate of Traffic Fatalities per 10,000 People: 8.46

Deadliest Road In County: US-19

Number of fatalities on the deadliest road from 2017-2021: 112

Duval County was the 6th overall deadliest county in the U.S. For traffic fatalities.

Population Size: 1,016,536

Total Number of Fatalities from 2017-2021: 830

Rate of Traffic Fatalities per 10,000 People: 8.16

Deadliest Road In County: US-90

Number of fatalities on the deadliest road from 2017-2021: 91

Hillsborough County was the 16th overall deadliest county in the U.S. For traffic fatalities.

Population Size: 1,513,301

Total Number of Fatalities from 2017-2021: 1,069

Rate of Traffic Fatalities per 10,000 People: 7.06

Deadliest Road In County: US-41

Number of fatalities on the deadliest road from 2017-2021: 101

Pasco County was the 5th overall deadliest county in the U.S. For traffic fatalities.

Population Size: 630,693

Total Number of Fatalities from 2017-2021: 435

Rate of Traffic Fatalities per 10,000 People: 6.9

Deadliest Road In County: US-1

Number of fatalities on the deadliest road from 2017-2021: 96