FLORIDA — A 2026 study published in the journal Risk Analysis found that Florida's spring break period is associated with an increased risk of traffic fatalities and injuries. The research indicated that current enforcement strategies focused on drunk driving might not fully address the actual risks during this time.

The study, titled "Spring Broken: A Risk Analysis of Fatal and Nonfatal Traffic Injuries in Florida," analyzed 12 years of county-level crash data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The data covered all 67 counties in Florida between 2011 and 2022 and included more than 42,000 observations.

The spring break period, defined as late February through early April, carried a higher traffic fatality and injury risk than any other period of the year. During spring break, fatalities, non-fatal injuries, and serious non-fatal injuries were elevated. The Thanksgiving through New Year's Day period showed a comparable rise in fatalities but no increase in overall non-fatal injuries, and non-fatal injuries in crashes involving younger drivers were lower during that holiday period.

Young drivers, defined as those aged 25 and under, experienced elevated risks during spring break. Out-of-state drivers and non-motorists, including pedestrians and cyclists, also faced increased risks. Fatal and non-fatal injury rates for these groups were estimated to be 10–15% above baseline during spring break. Additionally, fatal and non-fatal injury counts in crashes involving out-of-state drivers were up to 37% higher. Traffic risks were highest along Florida's coast but extended to surrounding landlocked counties through connecting travel corridors.

The study found that alcohol-related crashes did not show a statistically measurable spike compared to other crash types during spring break. "This research shows that targeting drunk driving alone is not the best strategy," said Michael T. French, a professor and chair of the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Miami. "Density management may be a better policy lever," French said.

Dr. Gulcin Gumus, an associate professor in the Department of Management Programs at Florida Atlantic University, commented on the broader implications. "Motor vehicle crashes tend to be one of the more obscure costs of spring break," Gumus said. "Our findings suggest the true burden on Florida communities is likely far greater than what shows up in crash data alone." Miami Beach has implemented measures including DUI checkpoints, greater police presence, and pedestrian protection zones.