Driving is one of the easiest ways to get from point A to B (except, maybe, if you live in New York City). Driving is also one of the most dangerous things a person does every day. Though new safety features in cars have made them safer than ever, vehicle accidents are still one of the leading causes of death among adults. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 37,461 Americans died in 2016 in vehicle crashes.
We looked into national data to learn which states were most dangerous for drivers. The NHTSA calculates fatality rates using the number of vehicle miles traveled, providing a way to look at how dangerous a state is relative to how much people there drive. Here are the 10 most (& least) dangerous states by death rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled according to 2016 NHTSA data.
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Most dangerous states for drivers
10. Idaho
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.47 Fatalities in 2016: 253
9. Florida
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.47 Fatalities in 2016: 3,174
8. Alabama
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.5 Fatalities in 2016: 1,038
7. Montana
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.51 Fatalities in 2016: 190
6. Arkansas
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.52 Fatalities in 2016: 545
5. Louisiana
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.54 Fatalities in 2016: 757
4. Alaska
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.6 Fatalities in 2016: 84
3. Mississippi
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.69 Fatalities in 2016: 690
2. Kentucky
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.69 Fatalities in 2016: 834
1. South Carolina
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.86 Fatalities in 2016: 1,015
Safest states for drivers
10. Utah
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.89 Fatalities in 2016: 281
9. Washington
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.88 Fatalities in 2016: 537
8. Maryland
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.85 Fatalities in 2016: 505
7. Vermont
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.84 Fatalities in 2016: 62
6. New York
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.83 Fatalities in 2016: 1,025
5. New Jersey
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.78 Fatalities in 2016: 601
4. District of Columbia
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.75 Fatalities in 2016: 27
3. Minnesota
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.66 Fatalities in 2016: 392
2. Rhode Island
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.64 Fatalities in 2016: 51
1. Massachusetts
Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 0.63 Fatalities in 2016: 389
One way to protect yourself and your vehicle while driving is to get car insurance. Though it doesn’t prevent you from getting hurt in an accident, it guards you from expenses incurred if you hurt someone or damage their property with your car. Car insurance is required in almost every state. You can compare car insurance plans with Policygenius here.
Prefer two wheels to four? Check out the most dangerous states in America for cyclists.
