ATLANTA – A new study ranks Georgia among the top US states with the deadliest roads with a high rate of fatal car crashes.
Release:
Some states are more dangerous than others when it comes to driving, and according to a new study conducted by personal injury lawyers at Zinda Law Group, Mississippi is the most hazardous US state for fatal car crashes.
By analyzing fatal crash data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the experts calculated and ranked which states experience the most motor vehicle fatal crashes per 100k population.
- Mississippi – 26.2 fatal car accident deaths per 100k
Mississippi takes the regrettable first place ranking for states with the deadliest roads, with 26.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. The most dangerous intersection in Mississippi is Airways Boulevard and Goodman Road, Horn Lakes, while the most dangerous highways are US Highway 61 and Interstate 20.
One possible reason for Mississippi’s high ranking may be the state’s low seat belt usage. The national use rate of seatbelts in the US is 91.6%, while in Mississippi, that number is only 77.9%. Other contributing factors may include frequent congestion on roads not designed for high speed, a lack of infrastructure funding, and dangerous driving.
- South Carolina – 23.1 fatal car accident deaths per 100k
South Carolina ranks second for having the deadliest roads in the US, with 23.1. US Route 17 is considered one of the most dangerous roads in America, with its wildlife crossings, narrow lanes, sharp turns, and sudden curves. This road becomes even more hazardous in the summer with increased tourists driving to Myrtle Beach and Charleston.
- Arkansas – 22.9 fatal car accident deaths per 100k
Arkansas has the third highest rate of fatal crashes per 100,000 population, with 22.9. Highway 7 is known to be one of the most dangerous roads in the state, as it is full of steep hills and curves. According to the NHTSA, 82% of people in Arkansas wear seatbelts – this is below the national average and may contribute to the number of fatalities per 100k population.
- New Mexico – 22.7 fatal car accident deaths per 100k
New Mexico has the fourth deadliest roads in the US, with 22.7 deaths per 100k population. New Mexico ranks high in this study despite the state’s use rate of seatbelts being only just below the national average, at 89.7%. Interstate 25 in New Mexico is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the state, particularly section I-25 from Las Cruces to Santa Fe, which has many city road exits that are constantly the site of fatal crashes.
- Montana – 21.6 fatal car accident deaths per 100k
Montana has the fifth deadliest roads in the US, with 21.6 deaths per 100,000 population. Montana Highway 2 is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the state, as the 70mph speed limit is often ignored across this beautiful and wildlife-rich landscape.
A spokesperson from Zinda Law Group commented on the study:
“Lack of seatbelt use, dangerous terrain, wildlife crossings, and dangerous driving can all be to blame for fatal crashes. Thankfully, there are various precautions that can be taken to avoid danger on the roads. Planning your trip in advance, leaving at off-peak times, paying attention to your surroundings, and ensuring you are well-rested before
setting off will help you stay safe. The importance of wearing a seat belt is evident in an abundance of research that suggests that, if worn properly, they can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45%.
“If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a car accident yourself, call the police, seek medical attention, and gather evidence that may be required for legal use.”
Fatal motor vehicle accidents by State 2021
State Population Fatal crashes Deaths Deaths per 100,000 population Mississippi 2,949,586 697 772 26.2 South Carolina 5,193,266 1,112 1,198 23.1 Arkansas 3,028,122 631 693 22.9 New Mexico 2,116,677 427 481 22.7 Montana 1,106,227 222 239 21.6 Louisiana 4,627,098 887 972 21 Alabama 5,049,846 885 983 19.5 Oklahoma 3,991,225 681 762 19.1 Tennessee 6,968,351 1,229 1,327 19 Wyoming 579,483 102 110 19 Kentucky 4,506,589 734 806 17.9 Florida 21,828,069 3,451 3,738 17.1 Georgia 10,788,029 1,670 1,797 16.7 Missouri 6,169,823 931 1,016 16.5 South Dakota 896,164 131 148 16.5 Arizona 7,264,877 1,063 1,180 16.2 North Carolina 10,565,885 1,535 1,663 15.7 West Virginia 1,785,526 257 280 15.7 Texas 29,558,864 4,068 4,498 15.2 Kansas 2,937,922 381 424 14.4 Idaho 1,904,314 244 271 14.2 Oregon 4,256,301 552 599 14.1 Indiana 6,813,532 863 932 13.7 Delaware 1,004,807 132 136 13.5 North Dakota 777,934 85 101 13 Nevada 3,146,402 360 385 12.2 Colorado 5,811,297 638 691 11.9 Ohio 11,764,342 1,242 1,354 11.5 Vermont 646,972 69 74 11.4 Michigan 10,037,504 1,072 1,136 11.3 Nebraska 1,963,554 192 221 11.3 Virginia 8,657,365 906 973 11.2 Iowa 3,197,689 329 356 11.1 Maine 1,377,238 135 153 11.1 California 39,142,991 3,983 4,285 10.9 Illinois 12,686,469 1,210 1,334 10.5 Wisconsin 5,880,101 572 620 10.5 Utah 3,339,113 293 328 9.8 Pennsylvania 13,012,059 1,153 1,230 9.5 Alaska 734,182 59 67 9.1 Maryland 6,174,610 522 561 9.1 Washington 7,740,745 603 670 8.7 Minnesota 5,711,471 451 488 8.5 New Hampshire 1,387,505 106 118 8.5 Connecticut 3,623,355 283 298 8.2 New Jersey 9,267,961 669 699 7.5 Hawaii 1,447,154 94 94 6.5 District of Columbia 668,791 40 41 6.1 Massachusetts 6,989,690 397 417 6 New York 19,857,492 1,099 1,157 5.8 Rhode Island 1,096,985 61 63 5.7
