According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been 291,970 motor vehicle crashes in the Sunshine State so far for 2026. Of that figure, 2,039 lives were lost. Injuries numbered 187,622.
In St. Johns County this year, there have been 3,169 crashes. Twenty-six people have been killed and 1,691 injured.
Recognizing the critical need to address this issue, the state Department of Transportation adopted a goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries in 2012. That effort was branded Target Zero for the 2021-2025 Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
The goal of this statewide transportation safety initiative is simple. But a plan is more than simply an idea; it must also include actions that can be implemented to achieve its objective.
We reached out to FDOT to learn more about Target Zero. Community Outreach Manager Hampton C. Ray provided further insights into the initiative.
His response, via email, included thoughts especially suited to classic automobile collectors and aficionados.
“Transportation safety is especially relevant to automotive enthusiasts because vehicle performance is only one part of roadway safety,” he wrote. “Safe driving behaviors, attentive driving, obeying speed limits, avoiding impairment and sharing the road responsibly are all critical to helping everyone arrive home safely.”
Of course, these principles apply to everyone on our streets and highways.
Target Zero uses a data-driven approach to identify the behaviors and factors most commonly associated with serious and fatal crashes. The initiative brings together transportation agencies, law enforcement, emergency responders, local governments, community organizations and private-sector partners to promote safety.
Such partners across a wide spectrum of organizations share safety information, support local outreach efforts, implement safety improvements and employ Target Zero resources to help make a difference.
Key components of the initiative are education and awareness. Motorists may encounter related information through social media campaigns, digital advertisements, community events, partner outreach, educational materials, traffic safety campaigns and public awareness efforts, according to Ray.
Target Zero partners may access resources to inform drivers about distracted driving, speeding and other behaviors that can result in serious crashes.
The hope is that more people will come to better understand why risky behaviors occur. Messages that resonate with those most likely to become involved in serious crashes have been developed.
Anyone wanting to get involved can learn more at https://www.fdot.gov/agencyresources/target-zero.
Resources offered there are designed to help partners communicate consistently and maintain a unified look and message.
Many of these materials may be used during community outreach events, safety campaigns, educational programs, workplace safety initiatives and public engagement activities.
“Every serious crash is preventable,” Ray wrote, “and everyone has a role in making Florida’s roads safer. Whether you are driving, biking or walking, the choices made every day affect the safety of everyone around you. Target Zero is built on the belief that even one fatality or serious injury is too many. By working together and making safe choices behind the wheel, Florida can continue moving toward the goal of zero transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries.”
