Have you ever been driving in a different state and felt like it was more dangerous than your home state? Maybe drivers seem more erratic, aggressive, or distracted? Well, the data shows that, in fact, some states do have more dangerous roadways than others. But is your state on the list?
Read on to find out which 10 U.S. states have the most dangerous drivers.
Top 10 States With the Most Dangerous Drivers
Where are the most dangerous places to drive? The following 10 states have the highest fatality rates per 100 million miles traveled, according to NHTSA's most recent report.
10. Arizona
Total annual fatalities: 981
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.40
A big culprit for the high fatality rate in Arizona is the state's interstate highways that cover some serious mileage.
9. Florida
Total annual fatalities: 3,183
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.41
What's the problem in Florida? Apparently, Floridians are known to be distracted drivers who text, scroll, take selfies, and make videos while they are at the wheel. Drunk driving, speeding, and bad weather are also contributors to the problem.
8. Louisiana
Total annual fatalities: 727
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.42
When looking at an IIHS report on the number of drivers killed in Louisiana, 85% had a blood alcohol level equal to or above the legal limit. Drunk driving plays a big role in the state's dangerous roads.
7. Oklahoma
Total annual fatalities: 640
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.43
Oklahoma is another state with a drunk driving problem, as an estimated 89% of drivers killed in car accidents were at or above 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
6. Montana
Total annual fatalities: 184
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.43
Driving under the influence of alcohol is also a serious problem in Montana, as four in five who die in car accidents are at or above the legal BAC level.
5. Wyoming
Total annual fatalities: 147
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.44
Wyoming's section of the I-80 is the deadliest highway in the state. Further, a few of the leading causes of accidents include a large wildlife presence, harsh weather, and rural roads.
4. Kentucky
Total fatalities: 732
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.48
Kentucky roads tend to be dangerous due to mountains, miles of open highways, and unpredictable weather.
3. New Mexico
Total fatalities: 424
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.53
The roads in New Mexico have recently been called "a complete disaster," as 56% have recently been reported as being in poor or mediocre condition.
2. Mississippi
Total fatalities: 643
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.56
Mississippi's dangerous roads are largely attributed to distracted driving, highways with hazardous sections, vehicle defects, disobeying traffic laws, and drunk driving.
1. South Carolina
Total fatalities: 1,001
Fatalities per 100 million miles traveled: 1.73
"Considering the death rate, South Carolina has the most dangerous drivers," said Fred Hoffman, Founder of Best Car Insurance Finder. But according to him, it's not because of typical distracted or impaired driving.
"The drink and drive rate is quite low in this state," said Hoffman. "Most of the accidents occur because of dangerous intersections. Traffic fatalities occur 44% more frequently in South Carolina than the national average."
How to Protect Yourself Against Dangerous Drivers
Want to stay safe no matter where you are driving in the U.S.? One of the best steps you can take is shifting into a defensive driving mindset. What's that? Defensive driving is all about learning strategies that help you identify potential hazards.
As a result, you can prevent collisions in bad weather as well with inexperienced, drunk, or just plain bad drivers. You'll learn to never assume the intentions of other drivers, expect mistakes, and always be prepared to react.
At Aceable, we offer an online defensive driving course you can complete from your computer or mobile device. It's designed to be engaging, easy to digest, and, dare we say, fun. Plus, it won't just keep you safer but can help you to remove points off your driving record or earn a discount on your insurance premium.