The state's highway fatalities have dropped to the lowest number since 2000, according to a Florida Highway Patrol release.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data on highway accidents showed 2,986 traffic fatalities for 2008 compared with 2,999 for 2000.
The numbers for the two years are similar, but Florida's population grew by more than 2.8 million over those nine years, the release stated.
In 2007, the number was 3,221.
For Alachua County, there were 57 fatalities in 2007, up from 44 in 2000, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Web site.
County data for 2008 has not yet been released.
Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Patrick Riordan said a combination of factors played a role in the decrease.
Factors included enforcement of current traffic laws and public relations campaigns that spread awareness of laws and instilled good driving habits, he said.
Last year, one campaign focused on the Move Over law, which is designed to help emergency vehicles travel on highway shoulders to aid in accidents.
All drivers are not aware that they're supposed to move out of the way or slow down when they see flashing lights behind them, he said.
The FHP also partnered with different state and local agencies for community traffic programs.
The programs help agencies protect drivers, Riordan said.
"We can learn from other agencies," he said. "We can put our heads together and address future problems."
But Riordan added that highway safety starts with drivers.
People cannot send text messages, put on makeup, adjust the radio or eat and drink while they drive, he said.
Drivers must also control their speeding and keep a safe distance between their vehicles and others.
Traditionally, a vehicle should keep a car-length of distance per every 10 mph between itself and the vehicle in front of it
He said if a car speeds at 100 mph, it can travel the length of a football field in three seconds, which is dangerous if other cars are not going that fast.
Still, Riordan said the most important thing drivers can do is remember the basics: Wear a seatbelt.
"My angle is to let people think a little more about their driving," he said.
Riordan said he hopes to see fatalities continue to drop. A recent state law increasing fines for traffic violations could make a difference.
Although the law is designed to help state budget problems and it is too early to know the effects, people may drive safer if they know a $200-plus fine awaits them, said Florida State Rep. Chuck Chestnut in a phone interview.
In terms of the state's budget problems, the biggest issue is keeping enough officers and highway patrols to enforce traffic laws.
The number of fatalities could increase if there isn't enough law enforcement to catch violators, he said.
"Just on my way to Tallahassee, I was going about 70, and people passed me like I was sitting still," he said.
