Report: Traffic fatalities increased in Sarasota and Manatee counties during COVID-19

Local traffic fatalities rose 7% in the Sarasota-Manatee County area during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent report from a regional transportation planning agency.

Sarasota-Manatee was among the many areas of the country which saw traffic fatalities rates rise.  

“We have attributed the 7% increase in regional fatalities in Manatee and Sarasota counties to higher speeds,” said Corinne Tucker, a multi-modal planner for the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization. “The higher speeds can be attributed to the lower volumes on the roadways during the height of the pandemic.”  

Related: As roads empty, drivers who remain are speeding up

The MPO estimates that 121 people were killed in 2020 in the area, largely due to crashes involving a vehicle moving outside of its lane. This comes at a time when the total crashes in that period decreased by 11%.  

While traffic fatalities have increased, serious injuries during the last year decreased 28% from 1,343 in 2019 to 965 the following year. Bicyclist and pedestrian deaths and serious injuries fell by 12%.  

The data was compiled by Signal Four Analytics, a statewide web-based crash analytical tool developed for the state of Florida by the Geoplan Center of University of Florida. 

The increase in traffic fatalities is similar to what was reported by the Department Florida Highway and Safety and Motor Vehicles. This data only includes crashes involving injury, a criminal investigation or a commercial vehicle. Sarasota and Manatee counties had 128 fatalities, from 118 crashes, in 2020. That was an increase from 114 deaths stemming from 106 crashes in 2019, according to preliminary data. The first three months of this year alone saw 22 fatalities from 21 crashes. 

The five-year rolling average for total fatalities on Florida’s roads is forecast to be between 2,877 and 3,175 in 2020. 

Although the COVID-19 pandemic may be causing Americans to drive less, many of those who do get behind the wheel are apparently driving faster, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  

NHTSA found a median 22% increase in speeds in multiple metro areas in 2020 compared to the year prior.  

During the early months of the pandemic, driving patterns and behaviors changed dramatically, the report found.  

Of the drivers who remained on the roads, some engaged in riskier behavior, including speeding, failing to wear seat belts, and driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.  

Traffic data indicated average speeds increased during the second quarter, and extreme speeds became more common. Other data suggested fewer people involved in crashes used their seat belts.  

Local law enforcement 

The Sarasota Police Department last May reported an increase in speeding, especially along the city’s main thoroughfares. That trend has somewhat leveled off as more motorists have returned to area roadways. 

“We still see our fair share of speeders throughout the city, but the actual speed is not as high as it was this time last year,” said Jason Frank, an officer with SPD’s traffic unit. 

Frank said as cities and counties across the country shut businesses and schools, fewer drivers were on the road. 

Think heading west on Fruitville Road toward the city of Sarasota. A driver might exit Interstate 75 at 70 mph, then catch consecutive green lights at Cattlemen Road, Honore Avenue and McIntosh Road. 

“They have maintained that 70 mph with no vehicles around and continue that speed into the city where the posed speed limit as you enter is 45 mph,” Frank said. “This is something we were routinely seeing.”

The same went for the construction that was taking place on U.S. 41 from Fruitville Road through 10th and 14th streets. Frank said. The construction zone speed limit was 25 mph, and Sarasota Police reported speeds doubling that.

Manatee County has also seen speeders. 

“Yes, we have seen people putting the pedal to the metal,” said Randy Warren, a spokesman for the Manatee County Sheriff, noting a recent social media post “about a motorist getting a ticket for topping 130 mph in a 60 – a reminder to slow it down.” 

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office actually saw a decrease in the number of citations and warnings written during the early part of the pandemic. Instead, some deputies relied on education and compliance efforts, said Capt. Bryan Irvings. 

“Due to the lack of vehicles and the fear of the pandemic, deputies may have been a little more lenient toward drivers,” said Irvings. “Our deputies work with a mindset of rightful policing – not the old school of everyone gets a ticket.”

The Florida Highway Patrol investigates nearly all traffic crashes and traffic fatalities in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Both sheriff’s offices deferred specific questions to the state. 

Florida Highway Patrol: Traffic homicide teams use new technology to write the final chapter in victims’ lives

Violating a vehicle’s right of way, such as turning left at an intersection into oncoming traffic is one of the most common causes of fatal and serious injury crashes, said Lt. Gregory Bueno, a spokesman for the agency. 

Excessive speeding, general carelessness, impairment and distractions are others, he said. 

“To drive a car you must be responsible, mature and focused each and every trip,” Bueno said. “Crashes have occurred when someone is just going up the road to the grocery store to a longer trip out of town. Lead by example, have conversations with your family, keep your phones down, hands on the wheel and mind on driving.”

The chances of dying in a crash double for every 10 mph a car travels above 50 mph. Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react to a dangerous situation and increases the impact energy and risk of death in the event of a crash.  

Fatality rates are calculated based on traffic volumes as a means of normalizing the results of crash severity against roadway conditions.  

“The faster you’re going, the less time you have to react,” Ivings said.

Officer Frank said he encourages drivers to take their time and keep distractions at a minimum. 

“I tell people all the time that they don’t do themselves or anyone else any good, if they don’t make it where they’re going safely,” Frank said. 

The bigger picture 

The MPO evaluated fatalities from 2011 to 2019, finding that traffic deaths leveled off in 2014 following a decline after the beginning of the Great Recession. 

According to the 2019 safety assessment report, fatalities within the metropolitan area increased from 2014 through 2016 with minor fluctuations from 2017 to 2018. The trend line indicated that the 2020 number of fatalities in the metropolitan area is on par with 2018 fatalities, which is the second highest rate in more than a decade.

Additionally, the five-year averages have steadily increased since 2011, demonstrating the continued increase in the number of annual fatalities.

Data provided by the Florida Department of Transportation to the MPOs indicates that fatalities have increased statewide on an annual basis starting in 2011, placing the Sarasota/Manatee MPO in a similar situation as the other similar agencies and counties in Florida, as well as with other states. 

Timothy Fanning covers Sarasota government for the Herald-Tribune. Reach Timothy at tim.fanning@heraldtribune.com or on Twitter: @timothyjfanning. Support the Herald-Tribune by subscribing today.