- Texas is the most dangerous state in terms of highway traffic with 4,500 deaths in 2021
- The safest state for collisions saw 63 deaths in 2021
- The study used data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Association
The deadliest highways in the US have been revealed, with three states found to be particularly dangerous.
Research shows massive inequality across America, with deaths in the least safe state at nearly 4,500, compared to 63 in the safest state.
ConsumerAffairs analyzed data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) to determine the top five deadliest and best states for drivers.
With 4,498 deaths in 2021, Texas was identified as the most dangerous state for drivers.
The Lone Star State’s 75,000 miles of highways saw 4,068 accidents that same year.
The deadliest highways in the US have been revealed, with three states found to be particularly dangerous
With 4,498 deaths in 2021, Texas was identified as the most dangerous state for drivers. Pictured: A fatal school bus crash on West State Highway 21 in March 2024
The bus was carrying 44 preschoolers from Tom Green Elementary School and 11 adults on their way home from a field trip at the Bastrop Zoo when an adult and a child were killed.
Among the fatalities this year was a school bus that crashed and overturned on West State Highway 21, killing two people, including a child.
Texas also recorded the most alcohol-related deaths, with a third of drivers involved in collisions that tested blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.01 or higher.
California, Florida, George and North Carolina rounded out the top five least safe states.
The data also showed that Mississippi is one of the most dangerous states for young drivers.
One reason for the high number of fatal accidents could be that drivers can get a driver’s license without taking a driving test.
Additionally, the state ranks among the lowest in seat belt users.
“Mississippians are twice as likely to die in a car crash than the average American and more than four times as likely to die in a car crash than residents of Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York or Rhode Island,” data- ConsumerAffairs analysts Alexus Bazen and Michael Dempster said in a joint statement.
The data showed that states with stricter driving standards tended to record a lower number of crashes.
Rhode Island was considered the safest state for motorists, largely due to its strict traffic safety laws
Rhode Island was considered the safest state for motorists. Although it has adopted the national standard blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of 0.08, it applies a lower threshold (0.05) for young drivers who are under the influence.
Alaska, Vermont, Hawaii and North Dakota make up the five least dangerous states.
Lower speed limits in Vermont are attributed to a reduced number of accidents.
Meanwhile, by population percentage, New York and Massachusetts ranked second and third, respectively, in fatal collisions.