Florida Earns a “D” from NSC

Since 2014, preventable injuries and deaths in the United States have increased 7%. As defined by the National Safety Council (NSC), preventable injuries and death include motor vehicle crashes, drownings, choking, fires, drug overdoses, and poisonings.
The National Safety Council recently reviewed safety policies and actions in each state to determine the level of policy engagement for accident prevention. This evaluation provided a grade for each state based on three categories:

• Road Safety
• Home and Community Safety
• Workplace Safety

The criteria used in the research emphasize the state policies designed to increase safety and reduce preventable injuries and fatalities.
While no state received an “A” in this study, 25 states received a “B” or “C” grade. Unfortunately, Florida joined Georgia, Texas, and a handful of other states with a “D” grade. In fact, Florida ranked #40 out of the 50 states. A few other states including Oklahoma, Idaho, and Missouri earned an “F” failing grade.

Under the topic of Road Safety, Florida scored an abominable “F” failing grade. The “F” was driven by the absence of laws designed to ban distracted driving – texting while driving – as well as a lack of policies banning new drivers from using cellphones at the wheel. In addition, Florida laws do not require motorcyclists to use helmets, and state laws do not require that traffic stop for pedestrians in uncontrolled walkways or roadways. Furthermore, the state of Florida has weak child passenger safety seat laws and seat belt requirements.

Under the topic of Home and Community Safety, Florida received a “D”, in part due to weak firearms laws. Florida does not require universal background checks at point of transfer, nor does Florida require license or permit + training for the purchase of firearms. Under policies related to fire prevention, there are currently no requirements for sprinkler installations in place for new homes. Florida also trails other states in laws regulating pain clinics and pain management services, the availability of certain treatments for opioid or heroine disorders, and requirements for carbon monoxide detectors in schools and hotels.

The last category is Workplace Safety, and Florida once again received a failing “F” grade, mainly due to less than ideal workers’ compensation benefits along with weak state and local laws for workplace safety, workplace violence, and less than ideal Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) coverage.

To view the Florida report, visit this NSC link. For access to the complete “State of Safety: A State-by-State Report” by National Safety Council, click here.

We believe that Florida legislators, along with public safety and health leaders, will continue to evaluate and improve accident prevention laws for the safety of the public. We also recommend that all Floridians keep safety at the forefront of our minds at work and at play. If we each take the initiative to employ safety measures on a personal level, we will help make our greater communities safer.

Goldman & Daszkal, P.A.

Since 1990, Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. has provided reputable legal representation to people throughout the state of Florida. The firm has helped thousands of individuals recover compensation from motor vehicle and boating accidents, slip and fall accidents, product defect and liability cases, pharmacy errors, and negligent security cases to cover medical expenses, pay bills, take care of their families, and return to work. Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. can help you get the relief you need to start living your life again after a serious injury. For a free and confidential consultation, contact Goldman & Daszkal, P.A., at (954) 428-9333.