St. Petersburg, FL, is renowned for its sunny beaches, vibrant neighborhoods, and expanding population.
With more people moving in and more cars on the road, it’s no surprise that traffic has become a bigger concern in recent years. However, while we often discuss the city’s beauty and growth, we don’t always address the risks associated with driving.
As part of our work helping people understand road safety, we’ve taken a closer look at the most dangerous roads in St. Petersburg, FL—the areas where crashes happen most often and why.
We’ll break down the top five risky roads and explore the patterns that lead to accidents.
The Five Most Dangerous Roads and Their Perils
US-19 (34th Street North/South)
This stretch is one of the busiest in the city. It’s packed with cars all day, especially near intersections like 22nd Avenue North and 38th Avenue North.
With several lanes and fast-moving traffic, it’s hard for drivers to react quickly when things go wrong. Pedestrians often have trouble crossing safely.
The most common crashes include rear-end collisions, side-impact, and pedestrian accidents.
4th Street North (US-92)
4th Street runs through one of the city’s busiest shopping and dining areas. It’s lined with businesses and homes, so many people walk and bike nearby. Drivers often make quick left turns, sometimes without seeing oncoming traffic or crossing pedestrians.
Accidents tend to happen at intersections, and pedestrians and cyclists are frequently involved. Lane change mistakes are also common.
38th Avenue North
This road cuts across the city and connects to major routes like US-19 and I-275, making it a favorite for commuters. But with all that traffic, especially during rush hours, it becomes a hotspot for crashes.
Drivers often miss yield signs or get distracted by the flow of cars.
Intersection collisions and failure-to-yield crashes are common, especially near major crossings.
Central Avenue
Central Avenue is right in the heart of downtown. It’s lively, but that also makes it chaotic. The lanes are narrow, cars park on the side, and people always get in and out of rideshares. With a mix of tourists and locals behind the wheel, mistakes happen fast.
Typical crashes include pedestrian hits, sudden stops, and rear-end accidents.
66th Street North (SR-693)
This wide road has fast traffic and serves both neighborhoods and shopping centers. During beach season, there is also a flood of tourist traffic. Drivers often speed or get distracted trying to turn into stores or restaurants.
Crashes here often involve speeding, running red lights, and rear-end accidents near mall entrances.
Underlying Causes of Accidents Across St. Petersburg
- Driver behavior: Distracted driving—including cell phone use—is a significant problem. Speeding, aggressive driving, failure to yield, and sudden lane changes are also key factors. Distracted driving caused over 53,000 crashes in Florida in 2023, according to FLHSMV.
- Traffic volume and congestion: Busy streets mean less room for error, making collisions more likely.
- Road design and infrastructure: Narrow lanes, confusing turns, and a lack of pedestrian or bike lanes create extra risk.
- Pedestrian and cyclist vulnerability: Many accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists often occur due to a lack of visibility or misunderstandings regarding right-of-way.
- Tourist traffic: Visitors may not be familiar with the roads or local driving patterns, which can lead to sudden stops or missed signals.
Enhancing Safety on St. Petersburg’s Roads
Making St. Petersburg’s roads safer is a team effort. We must all drive carefully, pay close attention, and always follow traffic laws. Programs that teach drivers to be more aware can be very helpful. Improving roads with better signs or safer crossings can also make a big difference.
Ultimately, preventing accidents and creating a safer driving environment is a responsibility we all share every time we are on the road.
