With so many concerning events happening around the world, finding the silver lining and appreciating our blessings is more important than ever. With stay-at-home orders in place for most of the country due to COVID-19, children who might not be old enough to understand why they can’t have playdates or go visit Nana and Papa, and the stresses of working from home, it can be difficult to focus on what we have instead of what we don’t.

However, there is definitely good news, if we only take the time to look for it. Case in point? Florida is seeing not only fewer traffic accidents, but less crime than usual, thanks to the shutdown and to residents’ efforts to pull together. 

According to a Los Angeles accident lawyer at the Barnes firm, busy roads are one of the major factors that play into the number of car crashes. Among the others are distracted driving, drunk and impaired driving, poor weather conditions, poor road conditions, and speeding. Accidents that occur during curfew hours may even help strengthen a case for an essential work against a non-essential worker. 

There is so much less traffic on the roads, in fact, that many construction agencies are opting to send crews out in the daytime to do necessary roadwork. Not only that, but projects that had been forecasted to last through the spring and even into the summer are being finished far ahead of schedule! That’s great news for those of us who do drive.

However, a spokesperson from the Miami-Dade Police Department has also made a somewhat more surprising statement: crime in that county is down 15%. This include crimes related to larceny, robbery, assault, sex offenses, and even homicide.

Officials in Fort Lauderdale and other Florida cities are reporting decreases in their communities’ crime rates as well. Seems like even the bad guys are staying at home these days.

How are you coping with the pandemic? Has anyone in your family gotten sick? Are you finding creative new ways to stay busy, stay connected with friends and loved ones, and enjoy one another’s company? We’d love to hear about it. Please drop a comment below and share your thoughts!