How many commercial traffic accidents happen in Marion County?

In this file photo, Motorists drive on I-75 as shown from the Southwest 66th Street bridge south of Ocala on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

May is Share the Road Month, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles wants motorists to take extra care when driving around bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other vulnerable road users.

The department launched a new campaign with the goal of increasing awareness about shared responsibility.

“Sharing the road is a shared responsibility to make sure we all arrive safely,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “As a motorist, it is important to educate yourself and your loved ones about the significance of following traffic laws, being courteous to others, and staying attentive to your surroundings. Exercise caution around all types of vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and vulnerable road users. Safe driving is not just a goal, it is a way of life.”

Commercial motor vehicles are a common sight on Florida’s roads, and FHP urges drivers to practice caution when driving near them. Large trucks require more space, time to stop, and room to turn, so drivers are urged to stay out of their no-zones.

graphic courtesy of FHP

According to a press release from the FLHSMV, Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) were involved in over 47,000 crashes while traveling throughout the state, resulting in 340 deaths and almost 1,000 serious bodily injuries. Most crashes involving CMVs occur Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

According to traffic crash data supplied by FHP, here is a local snapshot of commercial traffic crashes in Marion County over the last nine years:

In 2014, there were 401 crashes involving commercial vehicles, 22 involved serious injuries and 8 fatalities.
2015, 595 crashes involving commercial vehicles, 15 with serious injuries, but only 4 fatalities.
2016, 620 crashes involving commercial vehicles, with 16 seriously injured and 5 fatalities.
2017, 737 crashes involving commercial vehicles with 31 serious injuries and 19 fatalities.
2018, 735 crashes involving commercial vehicles with 36 serious injuries and 14 fatalities.
2019, 744 crashes involving commercial vehicles with 33 serious injuries and 13 fatalities.
2020, 623 crashes involving commercial vehicles with 26 serious injuries and 12 fatalities.
2021, 827 crashes involving commercial vehicles with 17 serious injuries and 11 fatalities.
2022, 858 crashes involving commercial vehicles with 20 serious injuries and 10 fatalities.
2023, 882 crashes involving commercial vehicles with 36 serious injuries and 7 fatalities.

Marion County’s historical crash data involving commercial vehicles indicates that accidents involving serious injury and fatalities are more often related to a lane change or an intersection.

For more information on sharing the road with other road users, visit the FLHSMV website.