Driving in the United States presents varying levels of risk across different states, influenced by factors such as road conditions, driver behavior, and enforcement of traffic laws. Understanding which states pose higher dangers can help drivers take necessary precautions. Below is an overview of some of the most hazardous states for motorists, based on recent data.
Mississippi
Mississippi consistently ranks as the most perilous state for drivers, with a motor vehicle death rate of 26.0 per 100,000 people in 2022. Contributing factors include poor road conditions—30% of roads are in poor state and 11% of bridges are structurally deficient—as well as high incidences of speeding and drunk driving.
New Mexico
New Mexico faces significant challenges regarding road safety, with a motor vehicle traffic-related death rate of 19.0 per 100,000 people in 2016, which was 28% higher than the national average of 15.1 per 100,000. In 2022, the state reported 466 motor vehicle crash deaths, equating to 22.1 deaths per 100,000 population and 1.74 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Contributing factors include high rates of distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, and impaired driving. Additionally, rural areas face increased risks due to longer emergency response times and a higher prevalence of two-lane roads.
South Carolina
South Carolina faces significant road safety challenges, with a motor vehicle traffic-related death rate of 19.5 per 100,000 people in 2022, notably higher than the national average of 12.8 per 100,000. In 2022, the state reported 1,064 traffic fatalities, equating to 1.85 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled—the highest rate in the nation.
Arkansas
Arkansas faces significant road safety challenges, with a motor vehicle traffic-related death rate of 21.1 per 100,000 people in 2022, notably higher than the national average of 12.8 per 100,000. In 2022, the state reported 643 traffic fatalities, equating to 1.67 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Louisiana
Louisiana faces significant road safety challenges, with a motor vehicle traffic-related death rate of 19.7 per 100,000 people in 2022, notably higher than the national average of 12.8 per 100,000. In 2022, the state reported 906 traffic fatalities, equating to 1.60 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Contributing factors include high rates of impaired driving, with alcohol involvement estimated at 24% in fatal motorcycle crashes in 2023. Additionally, pedestrian fatalities remain a concern, with 147 deaths reported in 2023, still 14.8% above the pre-COVID 5-year average from 2015-2019.
Montana
Montana’s expansive rural landscapes and challenging driving conditions contribute to its high traffic fatality rates. In 2022, the state reported 213 motor vehicle crash deaths, equating to 19.0 fatalities per 100,000 residents—significantly above the national average of 12.8 per 100,000. A substantial portion of these fatalities occur on rural roads, which account for nearly 90% of the state’s traffic deaths.
Contributing factors include a high incidence of impaired driving, with alcohol involvement in approximately 43% of fatal crashes, and speeding, implicated in nearly 42% of such incidents. Additionally, severe winter weather conditions and low seat belt usage exacerbate the risks, making driving in Montana particularly hazardous
Alabama
Alabama faces significant challenges regarding road safety. In 2022, the state reported 986 traffic fatalities, an increase from 983 in 2021. Notably, in 2023, Alabama State Troopers investigated 560 fatal crashes, highlighting ongoing concerns
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has experienced a notable increase in traffic fatalities over recent years. From 2019 to 2022, the number of traffic deaths in the state rose by 14%, with the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increasing by 15% during the same period. In 2022, Oklahoma reported 710 traffic fatalities, equating to a rate of 17.66 deaths per 100,000 residents and 1.59 deaths per 100 million VMT.
Contributing factors to these alarming statistics include a rise in alcohol-related crashes, an increase in unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, and a surge in speed-related incidents. Additionally, crashes in highway work zones resulted in 93 fatalities from 2018 to 2022.
Tennessee
Tennessee faces significant challenges regarding road safety, with traffic fatalities remaining alarmingly high. In 2023, the state reported 1,322 fatal accidents, and as of May 2024, there have been 397 fatal accidents, down 18% from the same period in the previous year. In 2022, Tennessee had a motor vehicle crash death rate of 17.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking 8th nationally and significantly exceeding the national average.
Wyoming
Wyoming’s vast rural landscapes and challenging driving conditions contribute to its elevated traffic fatality rates. In 2022, the state reported 117 fatal crashes resulting in 133 deaths, with Laramie County accounting for 13.68% of these incidents.
A significant portion of these fatalities occur on highways, with Wyoming experiencing a highway fatality rate of 24.62 deaths per 100,000 people—almost triple the national average of 9.16. Contributing factors include a high incidence of single-vehicle rollovers, which comprised 60% of all fatal crashes in 2020.
Arizona
Arizona faces significant road safety challenges, with 1,307 traffic fatalities recorded in 2023, a slight decrease from 1,320 in 2022. This equates to approximately 3.58 deaths per day. The state’s fatality rate stands at 17.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, notably higher than the national average of 12.8. Alcohol-related incidents contribute significantly, accounting for 4.71% of all crashes and 25.73% of fatal crashes.
South Dakota
South Dakota’s vast rural landscapes and challenging driving conditions contribute to its elevated traffic fatality rates. In 2023, the state reported 140 traffic fatalities, resulting in a death rate of 1.35 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), which is higher than the national average of 1.26.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an accident mortality rate of 60.7 per 100,000 population in South Dakota. Contributing factors include high rates of unrestrained occupants, with 62.6% of motor vehicle occupants killed in 2020 not wearing seat belts.
Missouri
Missouri continues to face significant challenges regarding road safety. In 2024, the state recorded 954 traffic fatalities, marking a 4% decrease from 2023 and a 10% reduction compared to 2022. Despite this progress, the fatality rate remains concerning, with approximately three lives lost daily on Missouri roadways.
In 2022, Missouri reported 1,057 motor vehicle crash deaths, equating to 17.1 fatalities per 100,000 residents and 1.33 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled—both figures exceeding national averages. Contributing factors include distracted driving, which accounted for over 100 deaths in both 2023 and 2024. Additionally, pedestrian fatalities reached a record high of 148 in 2024, a 16% increase from the previous year.
Georgia
Georgia’s roads have become increasingly hazardous in recent years. In 2022, the state recorded 1,982 traffic fatalities, up from 1,797 in 2021 and 1,658 in 2020. This upward trend is concerning, especially considering that in 2019, Georgia reported 1,491 motor vehicle traffic fatalities, resulting in a rate of 1.12 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Additionally, in 2020, motor vehicle crashes were the second leading cause of injury deaths in the state.
Kentucky
Kentucky’s roadways present notable safety challenges, with 744 fatalities recorded in 2022, a decrease from 780 in 2020. In 2021, the state reported 734 fatal crashes, 20,117 nonfatal crashes, and 88,440 property damage-only crashes, totaling 109,291 incidents—a 8.4% increase from 2020.
Despite a reduction in fatalities, the overall rise in collisions underscores persistent risks. Contributing factors include impaired driving, with 265 deaths in 2022 linked to drug impairment and 153 to alcohol.
North Carolina
North Carolina’s roads present significant safety challenges, with recent data highlighting concerning trends. In 2023, the state reported 284,157 traffic crashes, a 3.8% increase from 2022. Injuries also rose to 115,009, up from 110,544 the previous year. However, fatalities decreased by 5.5%, from 1,202 in 2022 to 1,117 in 2023.
Florida
Florida’s roadways present significant safety challenges, with recent data highlighting concerning trends. In 2022, the state recorded 396,478 total crashes, resulting in 3,289 fatalities and 162,955 injury crashes.
Notably, there were 7,237 bicycle crashes with 214 deaths, 9,252 motorcycle accidents resulting in 598 fatalities, and 10,159 pedestrian accidents with 777 deaths. Additionally, hit-and-run incidents remain prevalent, with over 100,000 occurring annually.
West Virginia
West Virginia’s roadways present notable safety challenges, with a motor vehicle crash death rate of 14.9 per 100,000 residents in 2022, exceeding the national average of 12.8. In 2015, motor vehicle crashes accounted for nearly 17% of all injury-related deaths in the state.
In 2020, alcohol-impaired driving contributed to 29% of traffic fatalities, and 22% were speed-related. Additionally, 47.5% of individuals killed in 2020 were not wearing seat belts.
Alaska
Alaska’s vast and often treacherous terrain contributes to its elevated traffic fatality rates. In 2022, the state recorded 82 motor vehicle crash deaths, resulting in a fatality rate of 11.2 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average of 12.8.
However, the death rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) was 1.50, exceeding the national average of 1.33. Contributing factors include severe weather conditions, impaired driving, and low seatbelt usage. Additionally, in 2022, Alaska experienced a 66.7% increase in pedestrian fatalities during the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2021.
Sources:
- Visual Capitalist – Mapped: Motor Vehicle Deaths Per Capita by U.S. State
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-motor-vehicle-deaths-per-capita-by-u-s-state/ - Morgan & Morgan – Which States Have the Highest Car Accident Rates?
https://www.forthepeople.com/blog/which-states-have-highest-car-accident-rates/ - The Sun – Drivers Warned to Beware of U.S. State With Worst Road Rage
https://www.the-sun.com/motors/12470835/drivers-warned-beware-driving-state-worst-road-rage/
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Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.