New crash data out of Florida is revealing a troubling and sobering trend: even though there were fewer crashes overall in Central Florida last year, the number of people killed on our roads barely changed.According to data from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, total crashes across Central Florida fell by nearly 4% in 2025 compared to 2024. Despite that decline, fatal crashes remained virtually unchanged, pointing to a growing concern that crashes may be becoming more severe, not less frequent. The data WESH 2 analyzed includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Sumter, Flagler, Lake, and Marion counties.Fewer crashes, nearly the same number of deathsIn 2024, Central Florida recorded 70,325 crashes.In 2025, that number dropped to 67,547, which is a decrease of nearly 2,800 crashes.But while crash volume fell, fatalities did not:2024 fatalities: 6302025 fatalities: 629That’s a difference of just one life.For Central Floridians, that means simply getting behind the wheel or stepping into a crosswalk continues to carry serious risk.Orange County leads the region by a wide marginAmong the nine Central Florida counties analyzed, Orange County stood out sharply.24,833 crashes — nearly half of all crashes in the region162 total fatalities, the highest of any countyThat’s 60 more deaths than Volusia County, which ranked secondDowntown Orlando remains a popular area for walking, biking, and riding scooters, but it’s also where traffic risks are amplified by heavy congestion and vulnerable pedestrians.Pedestrians and motorcyclists face growing dangerThe data also highlights a troubling increase in deadly crashes involving pedestrians and motorcyclists.131 pedestrians were killed in Central Florida in 2025Orange County alone accounted for 41 deaths144 motorcyclists were killed across the regionMotorcycle crashes declined overall, but fatalities increased.That disconnect suggests crashes involving motorcycles and pedestrians are becoming more severe.Trauma surgeons see the impact firsthandDoctors treating crash victims say the numbers reflect what they see daily in emergency rooms.Dr. Chadwick Smith, a trauma surgeon at Orlando Health, says falls remain the leading cause of hospital admissions — but car crashes are a close second.“A lot of broken limbs, fractures, head injuries,” Dr. Smith said.He also points to distraction as a major factor.“Everybody has their AirPods in. They may not be aware of their surroundings. People need to be aware of what’s happening around them.”A daily loss on Central Florida roadsWhen the numbers are broken down, the reality becomes even more sobering.On average, about one person died every day in 2025 in car-related incidents on Central Florida roads.Safety experts say speed, distraction, and inattention, whether behind the wheel or on foot, continue to drive deadly outcomes.As Central Florida moves into a new year, the data serves as a clear reminder: fewer crashes do not automatically mean safer roads.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
New crash data out of Florida is revealing a troubling and sobering trend: even though there were fewer crashes overall in Central Florida last year, the number of people killed on our roads barely changed.
According to data from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, total crashes across Central Florida fell by nearly 4% in 2025 compared to 2024. Despite that decline, fatal crashes remained virtually unchanged, pointing to a growing concern that crashes may be becoming more severe, not less frequent.
The data WESH 2 analyzed includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Sumter, Flagler, Lake, and Marion counties.
Fewer crashes, nearly the same number of deaths
In 2024, Central Florida recorded 70,325 crashes.
In 2025, that number dropped to 67,547, which is a decrease of nearly 2,800 crashes.
But while crash volume fell, fatalities did not:
2024 fatalities: 6302025 fatalities: 629
That’s a difference of just one life.
For Central Floridians, that means simply getting behind the wheel or stepping into a crosswalk continues to carry serious risk.
WESH 2
Central Florida 2025 Fatal Crashes
Orange County leads the region by a wide margin
Among the nine Central Florida counties analyzed, Orange County stood out sharply.
24,833 crashes — nearly half of all crashes in the region162 total fatalities, the highest of any countyThat’s 60 more deaths than Volusia County, which ranked second
WESH 2
Overall 2025 Central Florida Crash Volume
Downtown Orlando remains a popular area for walking, biking, and riding scooters, but it’s also where traffic risks are amplified by heavy congestion and vulnerable pedestrians.
Pedestrians and motorcyclists face growing danger
The data also highlights a troubling increase in deadly crashes involving pedestrians and motorcyclists.
131 pedestrians were killed in Central Florida in 2025Orange County alone accounted for 41 deaths144 motorcyclists were killed across the region
Motorcycle crashes declined overall, but fatalities increased.
WESH 2
Central Florida 2025 Motorcycle Fatalities
That disconnect suggests crashes involving motorcycles and pedestrians are becoming more severe.
Trauma surgeons see the impact firsthand
Doctors treating crash victims say the numbers reflect what they see daily in emergency rooms.
Dr. Chadwick Smith, a trauma surgeon at Orlando Health, says falls remain the leading cause of hospital admissions — but car crashes are a close second.
“A lot of broken limbs, fractures, head injuries,” Dr. Smith said.
He also points to distraction as a major factor.
“Everybody has their AirPods in. They may not be aware of their surroundings. People need to be aware of what’s happening around them.”
A daily loss on Central Florida roads
When the numbers are broken down, the reality becomes even more sobering.
On average, about one person died every day in 2025 in car-related incidents on Central Florida roads.
Safety experts say speed, distraction, and inattention, whether behind the wheel or on foot, continue to drive deadly outcomes.
As Central Florida moves into a new year, the data serves as a clear reminder: fewer crashes do not automatically mean safer roads.