OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The high volume of vehicles on the road makes it challenging to keep our roadways safe.

However, the Ocala/Marion County Transportation and Planning Organization‘s 2025 Commitment to Zero, an action plan for safer streets in Marion County, released their 2025 Safety Report Aug. 18.

Many crashes are preventable, and the report provides a 5-year snapshot of safety activities and crash information on Marion County roadways.

Data and statistics for the crash summary for the report were derived from two sources, Signal 4 Analytics and the Florida Department of Transportation Public Mileage and Travel Reports.

The 5-year snapshot summary for total traffic crashes is for the years 2020 through 2024 and is completed by the TPO on a yearly basis, and this is done as a way of ensuring consistency with the federally required safety performance measures target setting process.

Staggering Statistics

All Crashes within the county during the 5-year period were 45,414, with an average of 9,083 crashes per year, an average annual increase of 4.8%. During the 5-year period there were 458 crashes that resulted in fatalities, with 515 deaths resulting from those vehicle accidents. The statistics tell an even greater story when it comes to number of crashes with serious injuries 1,408, with the number of serious injuries as a result of those crashes totaling 1,735 and serious injuries from fatal crashes totaling 138.

The averages for the 5-year period are 103 fatalities per year, 347 serious injuries annually and 52 pedestrian-bicyclist, serious injuries or fatalities per year.

Road Related Conditions

There are a number of different variables that play a role in vehicle collisions, which make driving more challenging at times, however, understanding what the problems are can help make the roadways safer. Many accidents are preventable with 36% of the vehicle crashes occurring at intersections, however, 69.5% occurred when the weather was clear, 54% happened on local roads and 26% because the roads were poorly lit and too dark.

Human error can also play a role, aggressive driving, distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving reckless driving and drowsy driving can all lead to serious consequences when operating a motor vehicle.

Making the Roads Safer

However, there were a number of safety initiatives that have made a significant difference in mitigating the numbers through education and placing an emphasis on keeping the roadways safer, including the following projects that are helping to keep the community informed.

Marion County and the TPO are doing their part and did so by launching a series called Safety Matters that promoted safety through public education. The series was so well-received it earned an outreach award from the Florida Department of Transportation.

There was also creativity in the classroom as the TPO partnered with the FDOT for a bike lane design contest at Ward Highlands and Madsion Street Elementary Schools.

National Stop on Red Week helps to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of running a red light.

These are just a few of the initiatives that are helping to make roads in Marion County and its municipalities safer.

The county and its municipalities have received grants to help make the roadways safer. Public safety, both law enforcement and fire and rescue agencies within the county, have been engaging the public through education and making motorists understand their responsibility when they get behind the wheel of their vehicle.