FDOT Seeking to Make U.S. 301 Safer | Pasco County Auto Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton

David Gwynn, Florida’s regional transportation secretary, said that the state is looking to make the 13 mile stretch of highway from Tampa to Pasco County safer by installing three traffic signals at dangerous, crash-prone intersections.

The state is also researching how to widen the U.S. 301 due to the high number of accidents as well as future projections showing as many as 49,300 vehicles using the road by 2040.

Gwynn told the Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization last week that when he drives U.S. 301 from Tampa to meetings in Pasco County that he finds himself often speeding just to keep up with other motorists sharing the highway and prevent them from erratically passing him.

Shortly after sharing the state’s plan – just 16 hours later – a four-vehicle crash happened on U.S 301 just before 3 a.m. killing two people and leaving two others with serious injuries. The accident caused the road between Zephyrhills and the Temple Terrace area to be closed off for over six hours.

According to state data, 16 people have died and another 338 have been injured in 464 crashes on U.S. 301 for a five-year span ending in 2019. This crash rate is twice the statewide average for similar roadways.

From 2015-2019, there were 24 head-on collisions on the highway, with speeding being identified as the main issue. Gwynn said that impatient drivers try to maneuver dangerous passing techniques that can result in serious crashes.

The plan to turn the two-lane road into a four-lane divided highway between State Road 56 in Pasco and Fowler Avenue is in the study stage, according to reports. There is no money currently budgeted for this estimated $199.5 million job.

There are also concerns about the speed limit and whether it should be reduced to 45 mph.

Head-on collisions are some of the most life-threatening car accidents a person can be involved in. These crashes happen when two cars bang into each other head on, usually resulting in pretty serious injuries and in the worst cases, fatalities. If you are lucky enough to survive a crash of this magnitude, then you are likely suffering from any of the following injuries:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBIs)
• Spinal cord trauma or paralysis
• Head and neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Fractured and broken bones

If you have suffered harm in a head-on collision on U.S. 301, our Pasco County Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can review the details of your specific crash and work towards helping you recover financial compensation from the at-fault party.

Medical bills from a head-on crash can be monumental, and if you are out of work then it can be extremely hard to make ends meet. On top of that, your insurance carrier may be trying to get you to accept a low-ball settlement offer that won’t even cover all of your ongoing expenses. Even worse, they may try and say you were partially at-fault. We want to help you fight for what you deserve. Don’t let the insurance company scare or bully you into accepting a monetary offer that is far less than what you actually deserve. We can help. We have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and we know how to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call us now at 727-847-2299 or contact us online for a free consultation.