The Florida Turnpike

Facts about the Florida Turnpike

The Florida Turnpike is a toll highway that spans approximately 312 miles through the state of Florida, from the southern end of the state near Miami to the northern end near Wildwood. It is also designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, named after the 40th President of the United States.

The Florida Turnpike serves as a major transportation artery for both commercial and private vehicles. It connects several major cities and metropolitan areas in Florida, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Tampa. The highway is operated by the Florida Department of Transportation and is maintained to high safety standards.

Despite efforts to maintain safety, accidents can still occur on the Florida Turnpike. Common causes of accidents on the highway include speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and poor weather conditions. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that there were over 12,000 crashes on the Florida Turnpike in 2020, resulting in over 7,000 injuries and 96 fatalities.

To help reduce the number of accidents on the Florida Turnpike, the Florida Department of Transportation has implemented several safety measures, including the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology to monitor traffic and alert drivers of potential hazards, as well as regular patrols by law enforcement officials to enforce traffic laws and respond to accidents. Additionally, ongoing infrastructure improvements are being made to the highway, including the addition of new interchanges and the widening of lanes, to improve safety and reduce congestion.

If you, a friend, or relative has been involved in a motor vehicle accident on the Florida Turnpike, contact the Personal Injury staff at the Perazzo Law Firm for a FREE initial consultation and ZERO OUT-OF-POCKET FEES to clients (See What to do after a highway accident).