Government Created Canals May Contribute to Auto Accidents
November 21, 2001
South Florida's intricate system of canals, originally designed to drain water from Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades, was responsible for nearly 100 auto-related deaths between 1996 and 2000 according to a report conducted by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. 99 people in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties died during the four-year period when their cars crashed into canals dug pararell to roads.
Investigators attributed the accidents to careless driving. However, most of the accidents occurred on dry roads and in good weather. The Florida Highway Patrol believes that drivers simply misjudged the roads and lost control of their vehicles.
Currently, there are no official plans to educate drivers about the risks canals pose. The Florida Highway Patrol did produce an instructional video several years ago about escaping submerged vehicles.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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