The roads in South Florida are becoming more and more dangerous, yet police officers are writing fewer tickets, according to a recent report. Records from the state show that there were a staggering 33,800 more car crashes across three counties, including Palm Beach County, in 2017 compared to 2012. For the same time period, officers in the same three counties, which also include Broward County and Miami-Dade County, issued a half-million fewer tickets for speeding violations and other non-criminal violations.
Why Fewer Tickets in South Florida?
According to the report, police officers have said that the issuance of tickets has taken a backseat due to a shortage of staffing and to more pressing issues. Officers also quoted educational outreach about safety driving procedures, as well as issuing verbal warnings to offenders. Not coincidentally, the Florida legislature banned police departments from imposing ticket quotas, and there were also fewer tickets issued by red light cameras.
Palm Beach County Accident Statistics
The statistics for Palm Beach County show that auto accidents increased by 57 percent from 2012 to 2017. This equates to an increase of nearly 10,000 crashes. At the same time, the number of tickets issued by officers dropped by 40 percent, or around 67,000 tickets. For speeding tickets, Palm Beach County saw a decline in citations issued by 38 percent. Across Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County, fatal accidents increased by 22 percent, jumping from 513 accidents in 2012 to 624 accidents in 2017. Across the state, fatal accidents jumped by 28 percent to just under 2,900 in 2017.
Free Consultation with a West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer
Were you or a loved one injured in a Palm Beach County car accident? If so, it is important that you speak with an experienced personal injury attorney from Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. about your case. We represent car accident victims in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Wellington, and Jupiter, Florida. Call us at 561-898-0497 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as an office in Pompano Beach, FL.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.