The 8 States With the Highest Car Accident Fatality Rates in 2025

In the first half of 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 18,720 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes across the United States. This marks a 3.2% drop from the projected 19,330 fatalities during the same period in 2023, continuing a modest but welcome downward trend in road deaths.

Both the first and second quarters of 2024 showed declines, signaling that national safety initiatives, better vehicle technology, and targeted enforcement may be making an impact.

However, this improvement comes after several years of unusually high risk on American roads. When the COVID-19 pandemic first began, traffic volumes plummeted almost overnight.

Empty highways gave drivers more space, but also more temptation to push the limits. Many state transportation officials believe the pandemic period sparked a wave of riskier driving behaviors, particularly speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence.

Research from the American Automobile Association (AAA) adds another layer to the story. Their findings suggest that people who were already prone to aggressive or reckless driving spent more time behind the wheel during the pandemic. This created a dangerous mix: fewer cars on the road, but a higher concentration of risk-taking drivers.

States With the Fewest Fatal Car Accidents

Some states record remarkably low fatal car accident rates, and the reasons go beyond just population size or the number of licensed drivers. In some cases, it’s the strict enforcement of traffic safety laws; in others, geography and infrastructure naturally limit dangerous driving conditions.

Massachusetts leads the list, averaging just 4.9 fatalities per 100,000 people and reporting 327 fatal accidents in 2020 – well below the national rate.

Washington, D., and Rhode Island each maintain exceptionally low alcohol-related crash numbers, while Hawaii benefits from the lowest maximum speed limits in the U.S., helping to keep severe collisions to a minimum according to World Population Review.

Even in these safer states, however, accidents can and do happen, often with life-changing consequences. Knowing how to respond – especially after a crash that results in injury – is essential to protecting your rights and securing the help you need.

1. Massachusetts

Massachusetts consistently ranks as the safest state for drivers in terms of fatality rate, with only 4.9 deaths per 100,000 people. Its success is largely credited to stringent DUI laws and tough sentencing guidelines for impaired driving offenses. Repeat DUI offenders can face lengthy jail terms, heavy fines, and mandatory ignition interlock devices.

Urban density also plays a role – Boston’s congested streets and statewide lower speed limits in urban areas reduce the opportunity for high-speed crashes. The state also has a strong public transportation network, which decreases total vehicle miles traveled.

2. Rhode Island

Rhode Island has one of the lowest numbers of alcohol-related fatal crashes in the entire country. While the state’s compact geography means drivers cover shorter distances, strict enforcement of impaired driving laws and proactive police checkpoints have also kept DUI-related deaths low.

Another factor is its dense road network and lower rural exposure – most roads have reduced speed limits and are under consistent monitoring. Winter road safety campaigns are also common, ensuring that seasonal hazards don’t cause spikes in crash deaths.

3. Washington, D.C.

The District of Columbia maintains an exceptionally low rate of fatal accidents and one of the smallest counts of alcohol-related crash deaths in the nation. The city’s high population density and extensive public transportation reduce the overall number of cars on the road, while strict enforcement of impaired driving and speed limits deters risky behavior.

Speed and red-light cameras are widely deployed, and fines for violations can be steep. In addition, road design in many neighborhoods favors pedestrian safety, with traffic-calming measures such as narrower lanes, speed bumps, and extensive crosswalk systems.

4. Hawaii

Hawaii benefits from the lowest maximum speed limits in the United States, a factor that directly reduces the severity of crashes. On most roads, top speed limits range from 45–55 mph, and even interstate-style highways have lower limits than their mainland counterparts.

The islands’ geography – mountain roads, curves, and shorter stretches of high-speed driving – naturally limits reckless speeding. While traffic congestion can be frustrating for locals, it does have the side effect of reducing opportunities for dangerous driving.

Additionally, Hawaii runs consistent public awareness campaigns on DUI prevention, especially during tourist-heavy seasons.

States With Most Fatal Car Crashes by Population

1. Mississippi

A new study shows Mississippi is the most dangerous state in the U.S. to drive in.
Key findings were:
* Mississippi has the most fatal car accidents (67.82 per 100,000 licensed drivers) and people killed in fatal crashes (24.52 per 100,000 residents).
* Mississippi has the…

— SuperTalk Mississippi (@supertalk) September 2, 2024

• Death rate: Around 22.2 per 100,000 in recent years.
• Distracted driving: Mississippi drivers spend nearly 8% of their driving time on phones.
• Seat belt usage: One in two traffic fatalities involves unbelted occupants. Only 77.9% of drivers wear seat belts vs. the 90.1% national average.
• Impaired driving: DUI contributes to nearly 30% of traffic fatalities 

Mississippi at a glance:

2. Wyoming

• Drunk‑driving fatalities: 6.85 deaths per 100,000 residents, with 8.6 drunk drivers per 100,000 licensed drivers—both well above national averages
• Fatality involvement: About 30% of all traffic deaths involve alcohol
• 2025 trend: As of mid‑May 2025, fatalities are up 25% versus the same period in 2024 (35 deaths in 32 crashes)

Wyoming at a glance:

3. Arkansas

• Fatality rate: Climbing from 16.9 per 100k in 2019 to 22.9 in 2021, slightly falling to ~21.1 in 2022.
• Ten‑year rise: Traffic fatalities are up 30% compared to 2014.
• Risk factors: Speeding-related crash deaths up 16% (2019–2024); alcohol-related fatalities rose 22% (2019–2023); unbelted adult front-seat deaths rose 4% (2019–2024).

Arkansas at a glance:

4. South Carolina

• Deaths per 100 million VMT: Historically about 1.73–1.83, consistently among the worst nationally
• Recent improvements: Traffic fatalities dropped 14% from 2021 to 2023; fatality rate per 100M VMT fell 18% 

South Carolina at a glance:

5. Montana

Why it’s alarmingly dangerous: High involvement of alcohol in fatal crashes.

• Worst in the nation for drunk-driving fatalities: 7.14 deaths per 100,000 residents, and 8.57 drunk drivers per 100,000 drivers; often cited as top in DUI-linked crash rates.
• Traffic totals: 203 fatalities in 2024; early 2025 (to date) shows 111 fatalities compared to 120 in the same period in 2024 
• Spotlights: Over 33–44% of traffic deaths involve alcohol 

Montana at a glance:

6. Alabama

• Fatality and VMT rates: Slight 1% decrease from 2021 to 2024, but overall up 19% in fatalities and 8% in VMT fatality rate since 2014 

Alabama at a glance:

7. Louisiana

• Fatal crashes in 2024: 652 crashes resulting in 699 fatalities
• Rate per population: Around 21 deaths per 100,000, well above the national average (~12.9)
• Drunk driving: About 29% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol; 5.84 deaths per 100,000 residents in DUI crashes

Louisiana at a glance:

8. New Mexico

Though not in the original list, consumption data for context:

• Pedestrian fatality rate (H1 2024): Highest in nation—2.07 per 100,000 population
• Drunk-driving: Among states with a high DUI-related fatality share (not quantified here, but higher than national norms)

New Mexico at a glance:

What to Do After a Car Accident

@texaschancla What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident! 🤕 #carwreck #caraccident #injury #insurance #texas #viral #lawyer #tx #law #attorney ♬ Minimal for news / news suspense(1169746) – Hiraoka Kotaro

A car accident can happen at any time, whether you live in a high-risk area or somewhere with very few crashes. Being prepared and knowing exactly what steps to take can protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to recover damages.

Once you’ve checked yourself and any passengers for injuries and moved to a safe location, take the following steps:

1. Call 911 – Even in minor collisions, contacting the police is important. They will file an official accident report, which serves as a key document for insurance claims and any potential legal action. Responding officers can also help ensure the scene is safe and that emergency medical services arrive if needed.
2. Exchange Information – Collect and share essential details with the other driver, including names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details. Take clear photos of all vehicles involved, the surrounding scene, and any visible damage. These records will help the claims adjuster determine fault and assess the extent of the damage.
3. File Your Insurance Claim – Once you have all the necessary information, contact your insurance provider to start the claims process. Many companies allow you to file directly from the scene using their mobile app, making it faster and easier to submit photos, reports, and other required details.

If your accident involves injuries, serious vehicle damage, or disputed fault, consider speaking with a car accident lawyer in Indiana, such as the team at Hensley Legal, who can guide you through your rights, handle negotiations, and represent you in pursuing fair compensation.

Methodology

This analysis draws on data from a range of reputable and authoritative sources. Primary statistics on 2024 traffic fatalities and national trends were obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

State-level figures, including fatality rates and contributing factors, were gathered from individual state transportation departments and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to ensure accuracy in reporting on vehicle safety performance and death rates by vehicle model.

To provide additional context on driver behavior and infrastructure, we incorporated findings from the American Automobile Association (AAA), World Population Review, and other consumer safety organizations, covering issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, and roadway conditions.

Finally, state and federal legal frameworks—such as DUI statutes and enforcement measures—were reviewed to illustrate how variations in regulation and policy can influence crash outcomes across different regions.