Worst States for Traffic-Related Fatalities (2025)
The worst states for traffic-related fatalities include Wyoming, Arkansas, and South Carolina. Read on to learn which state takes the top spot for most fatalities and how these statistics affect auto insurance rates.
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Joel Ohman
Executive Chairman
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity-backed digital media company. He is a published author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who has a passion for creating new things, from books to businesses. He has previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Joel has been mentione...
Executive Chairman
UPDATED: Mar 24, 2025
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 24, 2025
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Despite advancements in telematics systems and other vehicle safety technologies, there are more than 35,000 people auto accident deaths every year. That’s one person for every 100 million miles traveled.
So, where do the most car accidents happen in the U.S.?
The states with the most car accidents are Texas, California, and Florida. All three also rank among the deadliest states for pedestrians and bicyclists.
However, these states have some of the highest populations in the country. More people on the road increases the likelihood of an accident, but this doesn’t mean they are the worst states for driving.
In order to find the worst states with highest traffic fatalities, we looked at the highest fatality rates per 100,000 people. Here are the top five states with most traffic fatalities per capita
- Mississippi
- Wyoming
- Arkansas
- South Carolina
- Montana
In addition, here are the top five states with the most pedestrian deaths per csapita:
- New Mexico
- Florida
- Delaware
- South Carolina
- Arizona
As you can see, South Carolina ranks on both lists.
Our study examines the leading cause of car accidents and vehicle deaths, as well as how fatal car crash statistics for your state impact the cost of auto insurance.
Safe drivers can earn discounts for keeping a clean driving record, which will help you save money on car insurance if you live in one of the top 10 states with the most fatal car accidents.
- Texas is the state with the most car accidents, but Mississippi has the highest traffic fatalities per capita by state
- Speeding is the leading cause of traffic-related deaths in the U.S.
- Most fatal car accidents happen during the day in normal weather conditions
Top 10 Worst States for Traffic-Related Fatalities
Do you live in one of the most dangerous states for drivers in America? You might live in one of the worst states for drunk driving without knowing. Mississippi is the state with most fatal car accidents per 100,000 people, or the state with the most car accidents per capita.
Ten Most Dangerous States for Drivers
State Number of Fatal Traffic Accidents per Month Number of Deaths per 100,000 People % of Fatal Accidents Involving Alcohol % of Fatal Accidents With no Seat Belt
Mississippi 53 25.4 26% 42%
Wyoming 12 22 25% 49%
Arkansas 42 21.2 25% 48%
South Carolina 83 20.7 28% 53%
Montana 15 19.6 36% 62%
New Mexico 35 18.8 31% 54%
Alabama 78 18.6 30% 54%
Louisiana 61 17.8 30% 54%
Tennessee 95 17.6 26% 48%
Kentucky 61 17.3 20% 54%
At least 20 people per 100,000 died in traffic-related fatalities in Mississippi, Wyoming, Arkansas, and South Carolina. More than half of these fatal crash victims were drivers, but pedestrians and cyclists make up 10%-15% of car accident fatalities.
Both South Carolina and New Mexico were among the deadliest states with most auto accidents per capita in 2019.
Worst States for Pedestrian and Cyclist Traffic Fatalies
State Total Number of Pedestrian Deaths Total Number of Cyclist Deaths Number of Pedestrian Deaths per 100,000 People
New Mexico 83 9 3.96
Florida 713 161 3.32
Delaware 32 7 3.29
South Carolina 160 26 3.11
Arizona 212 30 2.91
Hawaii 36 4 2.54
Louisiana 118 22 2.54
California 972 133 2.46
Alabama 119 6 2.43
Texas 649 66 2.24
California, Florida, and Texas may have the highest number of pedestrian deaths, but New Mexico is the most dangerous state for pedestrians compared to its population size. In New Mexico, 20% of fatal accidents involve pedestrians. Texas and California also tout the most traffic deaths by state due to extremely large populations. California is often known for being the worst state for traffic, as standstill traffic jams are common.
Looking at traffic deaths by state, places such as Montana and Wyoming also top lists. These states have lesser populations but still have high automobile deaths per year due to rural roads. North Dakota and Wyoming also have high vehicle deaths per year. Drunk driving causes the worst traffic accidents in these areas.
Cyclists make up a small percentage of highway deaths — the national average is 2%. New Mexico is on par with the national average. However, in Florida, 5% of fatal accidents involve cyclists, and the average is 3% in Delaware.
Which state has the most car accidents?
Texas has the most deadly car accidents, with 3,615 traffic-related fatalities in 2019. California is a close second state with most traffic deaths, with 3,606.
Since California is the most populous state in the country, followed by Texas, we examined the number of traffic fatalities per 100,000 people to find a more accurate portrayal of driving safety.
In our study, Mississippi has the worst fatality rate, with more than 25 deaths per 100,000 people. Over a quarter of the fatal accidents in Mississippi are caused by drunk drivers, and nearly half occur on rural roads as opposed to freeways.
What state has the fewest fatal car accidents?
Massachusetts is the state with the least car accident deaths per year with less than five deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 10 Safest States for Drivers
State Number of Fatal Traffic Accidents per Year Number of Deaths per 100,000 People
Massachusetts 334 4.9
New York 931 5.2
Washington, D.C. 23 5.2
Hawaii 85 5.9
Rhode Island 67 6.1
New Jersey 584 6.3
Minnesota 394 6.9
Washington 560 7.3
New Hampshire 104 7.5
Connecticut 295 8.2
Overall, the safest states have fewer than 10 deaths per 100,000 people. And, save for New York, fewer than 100 pedestrians and cyclists die in traffic-related accidents every year in the safest states.
What is the leading cause of vehicle deaths in the U.S.?
More fatal accidents occur on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher. Speeding fatalities make up the majority of vehicular deaths per year.
Drivers going faster than the posted speed limit led to the most fatal crashes (17.2%) in 2019. Nearly 19% of these drivers had previous speeding convictions on their licenses.
Driving under the influence (10.1%) and failure to yield the right of way (7.3%) are the next major driving factors that lead to fatal accidents. Alcohol was involved in nearly a third of the traffic-related fatalities discussed above, and more than half of these accidents may have been avoided if the victims had been wearing seat belts.
However, more than 15,000 traffic-related fatalities are caused by unknown factors, and more than half of fatal accidents involve good drivers with clean driving records.
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Does location affect auto insurance rates?
Location is a significant factor in determining car insurance rates. Auto insurance companies consider traffic fatalities, commute times, and the auto theft rates in your city and state before issuing a policy.
The policy type and level of coverage you choose will also impact how much you pay. For example, each state requires minimum liability insurance, and these limits vary based on the number of accidents and uninsured motorists in your state.
Look at this table to compare average auto insurance rates by state.
Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by State & Coverage Level
State Name Minimum Coverage Full Coverage
Alabama $50 $139
Alaska $50 $147
Arizona $59 $156
Arkansas $56 $162
California $72 $219
Colorado $51 $169
Connecticut $87 $169
Delaware $96 $183
District of Columbia $81 $192
Florida $64 $190
Georgia $72 $179
Hawaii $37 $100
Idaho $30 $106
Illinois $57 $150
Indiana $49 $143
Iowa $26 $104
Kansas $43 $135
Kentucky $64 $176
Louisiana $54 $201
Maine $51 $115
Maryland $126 $237
Massachusetts $56 $144
Michigan $163 $339
Minnesota $90 $220
Mississippi $53 $142
Missouri $55 $156
Montana $42 $153
Nebraska $39 $148
Nevada $61 $144
New Hampshire $50 $122
New Jersey $126 $197
New Mexico $56 $142
New York $90 $174
North Carolina $55 $131
North Dakota $49 $177
Ohio $44 $114
Oklahoma $52 $160
Oregon $75 $147
Pennsylvania $60 $179
Rhode Island $61 $143
South Carolina $79 $191
South Dakota $20 $127
Tennessee $37 $130
Texas $77 $207
Utah $66 $147
Vermont $43 $133
Virginia $56 $132
Washington $45 $104
West Virginia $52 $141
Wisconsin $47 $133
Wyoming $24 $105
U.S. Average $45 $84
You likely pay more for auto insurance if you live in a state with a higher number of car accidents. However, you can still get cheap auto insurance quotes if you maintain a good driving record, park your car in a garage, and install additional safety features in your vehicle.
Living in states with dangerous driving conditions typically cause higher insurance premiums. When looking into car accidents by state per capita, some states rank higher because of road conditions, driver behavior, and traffic volume.
Mississippi frequents the top of the list of fatal car accidents by state. This makes it one of the worst states for car insurance due to a high risk of accidents. Other states, like Wyoming or South Carolina, have high car accidents per capita by state.
When researching the state with most car crashes, Texas emerges at top. Other states with most car accidents include California and Florida. The accident rate by state shows that these states face high numbers of traffic incidents, driven by high population commuter traffic.
Do safe drivers get cheap auto insurance rates?
Insurance companies consider your driving record when calculating rates, and safe drivers pay less for car insurance because they are less likely to file a claim. For example, one car accident can raise your rates by $1,000 per year or more.
See how rates vary based on driving record in this table.
Auto Insurance Average Rates by Driving Record
Driving Record Monthly Rates
Clean Record $165
One Accident $244
One DUI $295
One Ticket $203
Maintaining a good driving record can help you avoid higher rates in the future. Most insurers also offer discounts for safe drivers. Depending on where you buy auto insurance, you may be eligible to earn 5%-20% off your annual auto insurance rates.
How can you earn safe driving discounts?
Some drivers sign up for usage-based auto insurance and telematics programs to track their driving habits and earn discounts.
If your insurer doesn’t provide telematics technology, you can earn discounts by taking defensive driving courses that will teach you how to better anticipate other drivers’ behaviors on the road. Most companies also reward drivers with reduced rates for remaining accident-free every year they renew.
Before you buy, remember you’ll find the cheapest auto insurance rates when you compare multiple companies online to find one that offers the safe driving discounts you need.
What You Need to Know About the Worst States for Traffic-Related Fatalities
The worst states for traffic fatalities are Mississippi, Wyoming, and Arkansas. In addition, more than half of the top 10 states with the most fatal car accidents are in the Southern region of the U.S., meaning car insurance rates are more expensive in these states.
Insurance companies consider the risk each state represents, including fatality, accident, and auto theft rates when determining quotes for local drivers. If you live in one of the worst states for traffic-related fatalities, you can expect higher auto insurance quotes.
Maintaining a clean driving record is the easiest way to get cheap auto insurance rates in states with the most car accidents. For example, insurance companies will reward you with discounts if you take defensive driving courses and remain accident and claim-free during your annual policy.
However, you may have to shop for insurance with high-risk companies if you’ve been involved in an accident. Rates for high-risk auto insurance are more expensive, but you can still find a competitive price when you shop around online and compare auto insurance quotes from multiple companies.
When comparing the states with the most car accidents per capita, states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina top the list. High accident rates cause more road fatalities by state. Car accident fatalities by state data show that South Carolina, Louisiana, and Mississippi suffer from a high number of traffic deaths compared to their populations. This makes them some of the worst states for traffic accidents.
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Methodology: How to Determine the Worst States for Traffic-Related Fatalities
We used the 2019 National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) FARS data to find the number of traffic fatalities per state. First, we considered how many auto deaths occurred per 100,000 persons to find an accurate representation based on each state’s population size.
On average, 11 per 100,000 people die in auto-related accidents in the U.S. The worst states have a significantly higher rate of death per 100,000, with Mississippi being the state with the most fatal car accidents per capita (25.4 per 100,000).
We also considered the percentage of drunk driving-related fatalities and seat belt usage to determine how many of these fatal accidents were caused by careless drivers.
For pedestrians and cyclists, states were also ranked by the number of deaths per 100,000 to accurately represent population size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What states have the most car accidents per capita?
The states with the highest traffic-related fatality rates can vary from year to year. However, historically, some states have consistently ranked among the worst in terms of traffic-related fatalities. These states include Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, among others. Researching specific state per capita car accident statistic can be beneficial for those concerned about safety.
What are some common factors contributing to traffic-related fatalities?
Several factors can contribute to traffic-related fatalities, including speeding, distracted driving (e.g., texting while driving), drunk driving, failure to use seat belts, reckless driving, poor road conditions, and inadequate infrastructure. These factors, when combined with other variables, can increase the likelihood of fatal accidents.
Are there any initiatives or programs aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities?
Yes, various initiatives and programs are implemented at the state and national levels to reduce traffic-related fatalities. These may include campaigns promoting safe driving practices, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, educational programs for drivers and pedestrians, improved road infrastructure, and the development of advanced vehicle safety technologies.
What can individuals do to help prevent traffic-related fatalities?
Individuals can play an important role in preventing traffic-related fatalities. Some measures they can take include obeying traffic laws, avoiding distractions while driving (such as mobile phone use), wearing seat belts at all times, driving sober, maintaining their vehicles in proper condition, being mindful of pedestrians and cyclists, and staying updated on safe driving practices.
How can insurance coverage help in the event of a traffic-related fatality?
Insurance coverage can provide financial support in the aftermath of a traffic-related fatality. Depending on the policy, it may offer benefits such as death benefits to the family of the deceased, coverage for medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident, and liability coverage to protect the insured driver from potential lawsuits arising from the incident.
What state has the most fatal car accidents per capita?
The state with highest traffic fatalities is typically Texas, with the deadliest month on Texas roadways being the month of August. Holiday travel and hot weather in Texas lead to August having the most auto related deaths per year. Texas frequently has the most traffic deaths because of high populations traveling on extensive roadways. However, Alabama and Montana have significant car accident deaths by state. This makes them some of the worst states for car accidents to live in. Car accidents can happen easily on long rural roads. This is due to typically higher speed limits, and less access to emergency medical services, all of which contribute to traffic deaths per year.
Which state has the most traffic fatalities?
When researching the highest traffic fatalities by state, Texas comes out on top. This means Texas is the state with most traffic accidents resulting in deaths. Many things contribute towards Texas having the most auto deaths per year, such as the long distance between larger cities, highway congestion, and many rural roads.
How many people die in road accidents in the USA per year?
In the United States of America, approximately 40,000 highway deaths per year occur, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The number of car accident deaths per year is usually between 35,000 and 45,000, but can vary.
Which state has the highest car accident rate?
The worst state for car accidents is Louisiana. Driver behavior and poor road conditions being the leading causes for Louisiana being the state with most car accidents. Since Louisiana is the state with the most accidents, people who live there are at a higher risk of suffering from car accident fatalities and injuries.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Joel Ohman
Executive Chairman
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity-backed digital media company. He is a published author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who has a passion for creating new things, from books to businesses. He has previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Joel has been mentione...
Executive Chairman
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.