Why Tallahassee’s College Traffic Creates Unique Car Accident Risks for Drivers, Pedestrians, and Cyclists

The rush of students, visitors, rideshare drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and others competing for space on the roads around Tallahassee’s colleges creates unique, dangerous accident risks. When you know some of the biggest problems, you can take steps to protect yourself and hopefully avoid being injured in a collision.

Unfortunately, sometimes even with every precaution, you can’t avoid an accident. For that reason, we provide information not only to help prevent collisions around Tallahassee colleges but also to help if you’re injured in an accident around Florida State University, Florida A&M University, or Tallahassee Community College.

Why is Traffic Around Tallahassee’s College Campuses Different?

Traffic poses risks everywhere in Florida, but it is especially problematic around Tallahassee’s college campuses because so many distracted people are clustered in a relatively small area. Some of the factors that increase the risk of accidents around our campuses include:

• Students and visitors who are unfamiliar with landmarks and traffic patterns
• Rideshare and delivery traffic that is much higher around the student population than elsewhere
• A high concentration of students and staff in a limited area that increases traffic density significantly
• Pedestrian and bicycle traffic that is much heavier around college campuses than elsewhere in the area
• Traffic patterns that change during events such as football games, concerts, and move-in periods
• Traffic that can suddenly intensify during certain times, such as class change periods, with students who are in a hurry

These combined factors increase the likelihood of turning conflicts, sudden stops, and other behaviors that can trigger collisions. As drivers and pedestrians, young college students tend to be more unpredictable and reckless than the general population, further increasing accident risk.

What are the Biggest Car Accident Risks in Tallahassee’s College Areas?

While campus conditions can lead to car accidents for many reasons, some of the most common problems include distracted driving, frequent turns and pedestrian crossings, unfamiliarity, and sudden stops caused by congestion.

Distracted Driving

Drivers around FSU, FAMU, and TCC frequently allow their attention to be drawn away from the road by:

• Directions on GPS
• Calls and texts
• Looking for parking
• Reading signs and seeking landmarks

Even a momentary distraction can lead to a collision with a car, truck, bicycle, or pedestrian.

Frequent Turns and Pedestrian Crossings

Vehicle traffic is heavy at college campus entrances, and pedestrian traffic is significant around building entrances and in areas bordering campus. With so many cars turning in and out while pedestrians cross, collision risk increases far beyond normal levels.

Congestion and Sudden Stops

Dense traffic often creates stop-and-go conditions around college campuses, particularly in the mornings and afternoons when many classes begin or end. When drivers get impatient or distracted and follow too closely, a sudden stop can turn into a rear-end collision.

Lack of Experience or Familiarity with Surroundings

Many drivers around Tallahassee campuses are inexperienced or unfamiliar with the area or both. It takes years to develop the instincts and reaction skills to avoid collisions easily. When faced with an unexpected situation, many students and prospective students driving around colleges do not react appropriately or quickly enough to prevent a crash.

Experienced drivers are also more likely to get into a collision around our colleges because they miss entrances and make abrupt adjustments to reach their destinations.

Why are Pedestrians Especially Vulnerable Around Tallahassee Colleges?

College students are more likely to travel on foot than other groups, and they are often out for both academic and social reasons. These pedestrians are at risk from:

• Vehicles turning across crosswalks
• Drivers who are distracted
• Features that interfere with visibility
• Drivers entering and leaving parking lots and garages
• Heavy night traffic
• Drivers who aren’t prepared to yield

When a pedestrian is struck by a car or truck, they have no protection and can suffer catastrophic injuries.

What Puts Bicycle and Scooter Traffic at Risk Near Tallahassee Campuses?

Students frequently ride to and around campus on bicycles and scooters. These vehicles are hard for motorists to see, just as pedestrians are, but bicycles and scooters travel much faster and can cross paths with a car or truck before the motorist even knows they’re there. 

Bicyclists and scooter riders face the same risks as pedestrians, but they can also get sideswiped by a passing car in the same lane and collide with car doors that open suddenly in their path. Like pedestrians, students on bicycles and scooters have no protection to lessen the impact of a collision.

FAQs About the Risks of College Traffic

How can you reduce the risk of an accident around Tallahassee college campuses?

Some steps to lower the risk of an accident include:

• Familiarizing yourself with the route and landmarks so you’re not reliant on GPS
• Watching for traffic from unexpected directions at all times (including bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians)
• Checking blind spots before changing lanes or turning
• Allowing greater than usual following distance
• Trying to avoid the most congested areas during special events on campus

Is the driver of the car responsible if a pedestrian or cyclist is hit?

The driver of a car or truck is frequently but not always responsible for the injuries that occur when their vehicle strikes a student on a bicycle, scooter, or on foot. Pedestrians and cyclists are required to follow rules, and when they violate those rules and the violation leads to a collision, the pedestrian or cyclist could be held at least partially at fault. Florida law allows fault to be divided among those involved in an accident, and someone hurt in an accident may recover partial compensation even if they share some blame for their injuries. However, it is best not to discuss potential fault with anyone other than your attorney.

What should you do after an accident on or near the campus of FSU, FAMU, or TCC?

After a collision, it is wise to:

• Get a complete medical exam even if injuries are not obvious
• Report the crash to authorities. The easiest option is to call 911, but campus police could be informed as well.
• If possible, take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, witnesses, and the people involved.
• Be aware that what you say could be used against you later, so avoid phrases such as “I’m sorry” because that could be viewed as an admission of guilt
• Consult an attorney if anyone was injured in the accident

Searcy Denney Tallahassee is Ready to Help if You’ve been Hurt in an Accident

The conditions around Tallahassee’s campuses create a “perfect storm” for car, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. Taking extra precautions can help you avoid a collision, and that is the goal. But if a crash occurs, the team at Searcy Denney Tallahassee is ready to help investigate, determine the accident’s cause, and hold responsible parties accountable for the injuries they caused.

If you need help after an accident or aren’t sure whether to contact a lawyer, we invite you to schedule a free case evaluation and consultation to learn what may be possible in your case. Just call us at 888-549-7011 or contact us online to get started.