Most Dangerous and Safest States for Drivers (2024)

The worst drivers by state are in Mississippi, Wyoming, and Arkansas. More fatal accidents occurred on rural roads instead of urban interstates and freeways in these states.

To evaluate the most dangerous and safest driving states, we analyzed the recent fatal auto accidents by state from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We compensated for population density by examining the number of traffic deaths per 100,000 people. We also investigated what percentage of fatal accidents were caused by drunk driving and failure to wear a seat belt.

Keep reading to see if your home state made the list of the most dangerous and safest states for drivers.

Most Dangerous and Safest States for Drivers

On average, one person dies for every 100 million miles driven. And although the U.S. is not one of the most dangerous countries to drive in, getting into a car crash today is more likely than a plane crash or heart attack.

While city driving is intimidating with busy intersections, distracted pedestrians, and difficult parking, urban roads are less deadly. For example, the safest drivers in the U.S. live in Washington, D.C., and other big cities like New York or Boston.

Which state has the worst drivers? The states with the most fatal accidents per year are Texas and California, each with over 3,000 fatalities in 2019. Texas is also one of the scariest states to drive in since it has the fastest posted speed limits in the nation and the most traffic accidents by state.

However, both states have the highest populations in the country. To get an accurate representation, we looked at car accidents per capita by state.

We examined what state has the most car accidents and traffic deaths per 100,000 people to rank the best and worst drivers by state. These are the top 10 worst drivers by state:

Ten Most Dangerous States for Drivers

The most dangerous state to drive in is Mississippi, with over 25 traffic deaths per 100,000 people. Wyoming and Arkansas are the next most dangerous states to drive, with over 20 deaths per 100,000 people. New Mexico rounds out the top five worst driving states — it had the highest pedestrian death rate in 2019.

What are the cities with the most car accidents? In Memphis and Atlanta, drivers are more likely to get into a fatal accident or collision. Tennessee is also one of the states with the most car accidents.

Safest States for Driving

Compare these to the safest places to drive in the U.S. — Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Safest States for Drivers

What state has the least car accidents? Massachusetts has the fewest fatal accidents, making it the best state to drive in.

There were five or fewer traffic deaths this year per 100,000 people in these top three states, but alcohol was involved in nearly one-third of all fatal car accidents in America. No matter where you live, if drivers and passengers had been wearing seat belts, more than half of all fatal accidents in 2019 might have been avoided.

Auto Insurance Rates by State

Auto insurance companies use several factors to determine your rates, and knowing which are the safest states to drive in can help you save money on car insurance. For example, drivers in states with low auto theft rates and fewer accidents will get cheaper auto insurance quotes because insurers assume they’re less likely to file a claim.

What state has the best drivers? Massachusetts drivers are less likely to get into a fatal car accident. Use this table to compare your state insurance rates to the most dangerous and safest states for drivers:

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by State & Coverage Level

The coverage level you choose will also impact how much you pay for car insurance, even living in states with the safest drivers. The minimum car insurance required in each state is different, but every state requires minimum liability insurance to cover injuries and damages you cause in an at-fault accident. However, it won’t cover your own medical bills or damages.

You should buy more than the minimum auto insurance to ensure you have full coverage in an accident. Full coverage auto insurance costs more but provides liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance to protect you and your passengers. 

Safe Driver Auto Insurance Rates

Safe drivers with clean driving records will earn discounts from most auto insurance companies. If you have safe driving habits or live in a state with the safest drivers, you could save 5% – 20% off your annual rates with a safe driving discount. You’ll automatically get cheaper auto insurance quotes if you have an accident-free record. 

The table below shows how annual insurance rates change based on driving records:

Auto Insurance Average Rates by Driving Record

A speeding ticket can raise your rates by at least $500, and one accident can add $1,000 or more to your annual rates. DUIs and reckless driving charges will increase your rates even more by pushing you into a higher-risk category.

High-risk drivers will have a hard time finding insurance coverage with standard companies. If you were involved in a drunk driving accident, compare high-risk auto insurance rates near you to find the best company for your needs.

How to Save Money on Auto Insurance

What state has the safest drivers? Washington, D.C. is home to the best drivers in the U.S., with only 23 fatal accidents in 2019. Massachusetts and New York also have the safest drivers by state, with the least traffic deaths per 100,000 people per year. 

The best state drivers enjoy cheap auto insurance rates because states with the safest drivers typically exhibit lower accident rates and fewer claims, influencing insurance companies to offer more competitive rates. Insurance companies determine rates based on risk, and they believe drivers in states with more fatal accidents are more likely to file a claim. However, you can lower your rates if you’re a safe driver with a good record.

There are lots of benefits to driving safely including auto insurance discounts. There are even companies that offer cash back for safe drivers. Even if you live in Massachusetts, D.C., or another one of the states with the best drivers, the best way to keep yourself safe on the roads is to be a safe driver yourself.

Safe driver discounts can save you between 5% to 20% with certain companies. You may also want to consider usage-based insurance if you live in a state with the worst drivers. Usage-based auto insurance uses telematics systems to track your driving style and offer you cheaper rates than other drivers in your area if you’re a safe driver.

Methodology for Determining The Most Dangerous and Safest States for Drivers

After analyzing vehicle and car accident statistics from the 2019 NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, we determined the number of accident deaths per 100,000 people to represent the most dangerous states for drivers accurately. Then, we ordered the top 10 states with the most car accidents and road fatalities per 100,000 people.

Many factors contribute to road safety conditions across the U.S., including alcohol consumption and distracted driving. The percentage of crashes involving alcohol includes fatal crashes where one or more drivers involved had a BAC of .08% or higher. The percentage of deadly crashes without a seat belt includes accidents where the driver or passengers weren’t appropriately restrained.

The safest states to drive all had low rates of fatal car accidents but high rates of DUI and drivers failing to wear a seatbelt. The most dangerous drivers by state live in Mississippi, Wyoming, and Arkansas. Drivers in these states can expect to pay more for auto insurance.