Places with Most (and Least) Traffic Accidents in America (2024)

Each year, tens of thousands of people tragically die in traffic accidents. By latest count, nearly 37,000 people died last year in automotive accidents. Among those, a significant number were pedestrians, with the rest being passengers or drivers. For children age 8 and older, motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death.

Despite these grim statistics, advancements in safety technology such as airbags and seat belts, along with improved automotive engineering, have made cars safer today than in previous decades. Additionally, some cities are redesigning their roads to enhance safety for both drivers and pedestrians.

The team at Personal Injury Lawyers San Diego.org has analyzed the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to identify which states and cities have the highest and lowest rates of traffic fatalities. According to our findings, Mississippi records the highest rate of traffic fatalities nationwide, while New York reports the lowest. Montana experiences the highest rate of alcohol-related traffic deaths. In terms of seatbelt usage, states like Hawaii demonstrate near-perfect compliance, while New Hampshire lags behind, reflecting its “live free or die” ethos.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pivotal governmental agency, is dedicated to enhancing vehicle safety through the establishment and enforcement of safety standards. In alignment with its mission to “Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes,” NHTSA releases annual traffic fatality data, which serves as a critical resource for analyzing trends and improving road safety measures. The latest data from 2022, which has been integrated into our analysis, reflects ongoing efforts and challenges in reducing traffic-related fatalities across the United States. This continual update of information underscores the agency’s commitment to transparency and public safety improvement.

To begin, let’s look at the states that are most dangerous when it comes to motor vehicle-related deaths. The chart below shows the number of traffic fatalities per 100,000 living in each state.

States with the Most and Least Traffic Deaths

Here is a  list of the 50 U.S. states according to automotive deaths per 100,000 citizens based on the most recent NHTSA data:

States with Most Automotive Deaths per 100,000

Rank State Deaths per 100,000
1 Mississippi 25.4
2 Alabama 21.5
3 Wyoming 19.6
4 South Carolina 19.4
5 New Mexico 18.4
6 Montana 18.2
7 Louisiana 17.5
8 Arkansas 17.2
9 Kentucky 16.7
10 Missouri 16.4
11 Tennessee 16.3
12 West Virginia 16.1
13 Oklahoma 15.9
14 Idaho 15.7
15 Arizona 15.6
16 Georgia 15.5
17 North Dakota 15.3
18 Texas 14.9
19 Florida 14.7
20 North Carolina 14.5
21 South Dakota 14.1
22 Nevada 14.0
23 Alaska 13.8
24 Kansas 13.6
25 Maine 13.5

States with Least Automotive Deaths per 100,000

Rank State Deaths per 100,000
1 Massachusetts 4.3
2 New York 4.8
3 New Jersey 5.2
4 Rhode Island 5.5
5 Connecticut 5.6
6 California 5.6
7 Minnesota 5.9
8 Maryland 6.0
9 Washington 6.1
10 Illinois 6.3
11 Virginia 6.4
12 Utah 6.6
13 Hawaii 6.7
14 Vermont 6.8
15 New Hampshire 7.0
16 Oregon 7.2
17 Michigan 7.5
18 Pennsylvania 7.6
19 Ohio 7.8
20 Delaware 7.9
21 Iowa 8.0
22 Colorado 8.2
23 Wisconsin 8.4
24 Nebraska 8.7
25 Indiana 9.0

This data is based on reports and does not account for population changes over time which might affect per capita rates.

This data reveals significant disparities in automotive deaths per 100,000 citizens across different states. States like Mississippi, Alabama, and Wyoming show notably high rates of fatalities, suggesting potential issues with road safety measures, driver behavior, or geographic and demographic challenges that may contribute to higher rates of vehicular accidents. Conversely, states such as Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey report the lowest rates, possibly reflecting more effective traffic safety laws, better road infrastructure, or higher public awareness and adherence to traffic regulations.

These variations underline the importance of tailored state-level approaches to improve road safety. Factors such as rural road conditions, state-specific driving laws, public health initiatives, and the availability of emergency medical services might play critical roles in influencing these rates. For states with high fatality rates, there may be a need for increased enforcement of traffic laws, enhanced driver education programs, and improvements in road infrastructure. Meanwhile, states with lower rates might serve as models to identify best practices that can be implemented elsewhere to reduce road traffic deaths.

The analysis of automotive death rates per 100,000 citizens across various U.S. states suggests that geographic and lifestyle factors significantly influence these statistics. States like Mississippi and South Carolina, which have many rural roads, often see higher rates of traffic fatalities. The CDC notes that rural roads are typically more dangerous due to factors like higher speeds, less enforcement of traffic laws, and longer emergency response times.

In contrast, states with large urban populations like New York often report lower fatality rates. Urban areas tend to have better road infrastructure, more frequent law enforcement presence, and a higher concentration of emergency services, which can contribute to quicker response times and better overall road safety.

However, the rural-urban divide is not the sole factor. Variations in local cultures and attitudes towards safety also play a critical role. For instance, the adoption of safety measures such as seatbelt usage significantly varies across states. Regions where seatbelt use is less prevalent tend to have higher rates of fatalities in car crashes. This indicates that both infrastructure and community attitudes towards safety measures are pivotal in addressing the disparities in road safety across the United States.

Part of the reason a place like Mississippi have high traffic fatality rates is non-compliance with wearing seatbelts. In Hawaii, the state with the highest seat belt rate, 97.8% of people wear their seatbelts. In contrast, Mississippi has the 4th lowest seat belt rate at just 80.2%.  Of note, New Hampshire is the only state in the country that does not require wearing seatbelts and therefore ranks last on this metric.

Seatbelts is just one safety measure that can be embraced or rejected by the population. Another measure to consider is the prevalence of drunk driving. The following chart shows the rate of motor vehicle deaths that involved a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by state:

The States with the Most Least Deaths from Drunk Driving Fatalities

Here’s a ranked list of the 50 U.S. states based on alcohol-related driving deaths per 100,000 people, sorted into two columns with the 25 states with the most deaths on the left and the 25 with the least on the right:

States with Most Alcohol-Related Driving Deaths per 100,000

Rank State Deaths per 100,000
1 Wyoming 7.60
2 South Carolina 6.23
3 North Dakota 6.09
4 New Mexico 5.75
5 Alabama 5.50
6 Texas 5.44
7 Montana 5.12
8 Louisiana 5.10
9 Arkansas 5.06
10 South Dakota 5.05
11 Mississippi 4.99
12 Kentucky 4.89
13 Tennessee 4.87
14 Oklahoma 4.73
15 Missouri 4.71
16 West Virginia 4.65
17 Maine 4.59
18 Nevada 4.57
19 Idaho 4.50
20 Georgia 4.45
21 North Carolina 4.40
22 Alaska 4.35
23 Florida 4.34
24 Ohio 4.30
25 Indiana 4.28

States with Least Alcohol-Related Driving Deaths per 100,000

Rank State Deaths per 100,000
1 New Jersey 1.39
2 New York 1.49
3 Minnesota 1.52
4 Utah 1.71
5 Illinois 1.76
6 Virginia 1.79
7 Delaware 1.86
8 Maryland 1.91
9 Washington 1.96
10 Rhode Island 2.00
11 Pennsylvania 2.03
12 Connecticut 2.07
13 Massachusetts 2.09
14 California 2.15
15 New Hampshire 2.18
16 Hawaii 2.21
17 Wisconsin 2.23
18 Iowa 2.30
19 Nebraska 2.35
20 Vermont 2.41
21 Colorado 2.47
22 Kansas 2.50
23 Oregon 2.58
24 Michigan 2.61
25 Arizona 2.69

This data reflects the varying degrees of DUI-related fatalities across the states, influenced by factors such as enforcement of DUI laws, public awareness campaigns, and possibly cultural attitudes towards drinking and driving.

The variations in drunk driving fatalities across the United States highlight significant regional differences in this critical public safety issue. Montana reports the highest rate of drunk driving deaths in the nation, with Wyoming and South Carolina also showing alarmingly high rates. These statistics might reflect variations in state policies, law enforcement practices, and public attitudes towards alcohol consumption and driving.

Conversely, states like New Jersey, New York, and Minnesota report much lower rates of drunk driving fatalities. This could be attributed to stricter enforcement of DUI laws, more widespread public education campaigns about the dangers of drunk driving, and possibly more comprehensive public transportation options that reduce the likelihood of driving under the influence.

These stark contrasts underscore the need for targeted interventions tailored to the specific needs and challenges of each state. Understanding the underlying factors contributing to high and low rates of drunk driving fatalities is crucial for developing effective strategies to reduce these preventable deaths and enhance road safety nationwide.

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Automobiles, with their significant weight and capability for high speeds, pose considerable risks on the road. In the United States, the impact of these risks varies significantly by state due to differences in road safety practices, legislative measures, and public behavior. States like Mississippi, South Carolina, and Alabama exhibit notably high traffic fatality rates. These troubling statistics correlate with lower seatbelt usage rates and higher incidences of drunk driving within these regions, suggesting a significant portion of these fatalities could potentially be prevented.

The disparities in fatality rates highlight the critical need for targeted safety interventions and stricter enforcement of road safety laws. Enhancing public awareness campaigns to promote seatbelt usage and reduce drunk driving could serve as effective measures to mitigate these deaths. Furthermore, improving road infrastructure and designing safer intersections could also decrease the likelihood of fatal accidents. Addressing these factors is essential for improving road safety and reducing preventable deaths, making the roads safer for all users.

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