Florida’s roadways have earned a reputation beyond sunshine and beaches, landing the state in the top three for the most intimidating roads in the United States, according to a new study released by personal injury attorneys Foster Wallace.
The study, which analyzed data from all 50 states, factored in the prevalence of roundabouts, speed cameras, and traffic volume to create an “intimidation index.”
Florida secured the third position with a score of 7.29 out of 100. The study highlighted the state’s significant number of roundabouts, totaling 1,587 statewide, which translates to 12.82 roundabouts per 1,000 miles of public road. Coupled with a substantial traffic volume of 1,839.46 million vehicle miles traveled per 1,000 miles and a presence of 3.86 speed cameras per 1,000 miles, Florida’s roads present a unique set of challenges for drivers.
READ: Florida Gas Prices Dip Ahead Of Record-Breaking Memorial Day Travel
Topping the list as the most intimidating state for drivers is Maryland, with an intimidation score of 9.18. The study pointed to Maryland’s high density of both roundabouts (17.16 per 1,000 miles) and speed cameras (31.47 per 1,000 miles), along with heavy traffic (1,742.17 million vehicle miles traveled per 1,000 miles), as key contributors to its top ranking.
Delaware claimed the second spot with an intimidation score of 8.40. Similar to Maryland, Delaware has a high concentration of roundabouts (15.97 per 1,000 miles) and speed cameras (21.44 per 1,000 miles), along with a significant traffic volume (1,501.44 million vehicle miles traveled per 1,000 miles).
Rounding out the top five most intimidating states are Rhode Island (6.72) and New York (6.39), both characterized by a notable presence of speed cameras and heavy traffic.
Conversely, South Dakota was identified as the least intimidating state, boasting a score of just 0.03. The state has the fewest roundabouts per 1,000 miles and no recorded speed cameras, along with low traffic volume. Oklahoma and North Dakota followed as the second and third least intimidating states, respectively.
READ: Florida Sen. Scott Leads Push To Blacklist CCP’s Institute Of Forensic Science On U.S. Entity List
A spokesperson for Foster Wallace emphasized the importance of driver preparedness when navigating roads in different states.
“Driving can be a daunting experience, especially when facing unfamiliar road features like roundabouts or navigating through heavy traffic and areas with numerous speed cameras,” they stated. “We encourage drivers to prepare themselves by understanding local traffic laws and road conditions before hitting the road in a new state.”
The study utilized data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), the Roundabouts Database, and the Speed Cameras Map.
The methodology involved normalizing the number of roundabouts, speed cameras, and vehicle miles traveled per 1,000 miles of public road to ensure fair comparisons across states of varying sizes. An intimidation index score out of 100 was then calculated for each state based on these normalized factors.
For Florida drivers, the study serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and adaptable when navigating the state’s roadways, particularly in areas with a high concentration of roundabouts and heavier traffic.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
