Car accidents are among the leading causes of death for adults and children in the United States.
Your chances of being involved in a fatal car crash are higher in some states than others. Newsweek has created a map to show the most dangerous states for drivers, using data gathered by Forbes Advisor.
Forbes Advisor analyzed five key metrics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including the number of fatal car accidents per capita, the total number of people killed in car accidents per capita, the percentage change in car accident fatalities from 2020 to 2021, and the percentage of fatalities caused by negligent driving.
Each metric was individually weighted to calculate a score per state, scaled out of 100.
Many of the most hazardous states for driving feature extensive rural highways that wind through mountain passes, such as those in Montana.
Jesse Chaney/The Independent Record
In 2023, Montana and South Carolina continued to be the top two most dangerous states for drivers. Speeding accounts for over a third of fatal crashes in both states, but impaired and careless driving contributed to nearly 90% of Montana’s traffic fatalities. Montana has a higher-than-average number of fatal accidents and deaths per capita.
New Mexico and Wyoming follow closely behind. Roads become perilous in winter, when snow and ice, combined with high-speed limits, often lead to fatal outcomes.
Texas rounds out the top five and is the most dangerous state for negligent driving, with impaired drivers responsible for 91% of fatal accidents. Texans are also the most confrontational drivers in the nation, which may be a factor in the 16% increase in deadly collisions in the state.
FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM/KELLEY CHINN
These states have the highest fatality rates, driven by factors such as rural road conditions, higher instances of driving under the influence and lower seatbelt usage.
Car accident statistics demonstrate just how common collisions are on U.S. roads.
Last year, about 41,000 people died in traffic crashes, according to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In 2022, there were 42,514 fatal car accidents on roadways across the United States, according to Forbes Advisor.
Rural driving conditions play a significant role in these statistics, as accidents on rural roads tend to be more dangerous compared to urban environments. In contrast, states like New Jersey and Nebraska are among the safest states for driving.
However, it’s important to note that fatal accidents in the Garden State rose by 19% year over year. Speeding and impaired driving were factors in 82% of these fatalities, up from 56% in last year’s ranking, according to Forbes Advisor.
New Jersey drivers are more likely to wear seatbelts, and the state’s strict driving laws for new drivers contribute to making its roads the safest in the nation.
Maine follows closely behind and ranks among the top three safest states for driving, with the total number of fatal crashes per capita decreasing by 7%.
Rhode Island and Utah round out the list of safest states for drivers.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Transportation told Newsweek: “The U.S. Department of Transportation is committed to addressing the crisis of serious injuries and deaths on our nation’s highways, roads, and streets, and in 2022, created the National Roadway Safety Strategy to address the crisis and help reduce roadway fatalities.
“In addition to the creation of the NRSS, in November of 2021, President Biden passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included more than $5 billion for the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which makes funding available for cities and states to improve road design and enhance roadway safety.
“DOT is encouraged that traffic fatalities have declined for two straight years, but even with a consistent decrease in roadway fatalities, they remain far too high. A disproportionate number of people are killed in rural and underserved areas or while walking or bicycling, a reality that DOT is continuously working to address by engaging stakeholders across the spectrum and investing in road safety improvements and advancing vehicle technology, such as automatic emergency braking.”
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