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OH, almost forgot. Had this conversation with a transplant from New York on the Northdale Flex this weekend. Why do you think car insurance rates are so much higher in Florida compared to other states? You have to drive. Everywhere. Your risk of accident is exponentially higher due to both increased time on the road that you can make a mistake and hit someone and increased volume of other drivers that can screw up and hit you. You're also on the road for longer periods of time, which adds to fatigue from other sources.
Florida gets bonus points for having a high ratio of uninsured drivers who can barely afford to drive but must do so to get around in a timely manner. And since it's required by law, they'll usually take off after an accident to avoid criminal charges. Hell, even insured drivers will bolt, if only because many can't afford what insurance companies will charge after you've been in an accident or two.
The insurance companies know this and price accordingly.
If transit were a more viable option, the reduction in cars on the road (and reduction in uninsured drivers who now have options) would improve road safety, reduce the number of collisions, and potentially reduce insurance premiums over time to more closely match other areas of the country. Even a decrease to the national average for car insurance would save area residents several hundred dollars a year, without even having to use the transit network at all.
In other words, if Greenlight et al. pass, the sales tax a car-only taxpayer would pay would likely be entirely offset by insurance rates rising at a slower rate and/or falling over time.
Florida gets bonus points for having a high ratio of uninsured drivers who can barely afford to drive but must do so to get around in a timely manner. And since it's required by law, they'll usually take off after an accident to avoid criminal charges. Hell, even insured drivers will bolt, if only because many can't afford what insurance companies will charge after you've been in an accident or two.
The insurance companies know this and price accordingly.
If transit were a more viable option, the reduction in cars on the road (and reduction in uninsured drivers who now have options) would improve road safety, reduce the number of collisions, and potentially reduce insurance premiums over time to more closely match other areas of the country. Even a decrease to the national average for car insurance would save area residents several hundred dollars a year, without even having to use the transit network at all.
In other words, if Greenlight et al. pass, the sales tax a car-only taxpayer would pay would likely be entirely offset by insurance rates rising at a slower rate and/or falling over time.