You're always taking a risk when you get behind the wheel. But beyond human error and car trouble, the route you choose to drive and the state you're in can also play a large part in how likely you are to get in a car accident. In fact, the experts at AutoInsurance.org analyzed the most recent data from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and found that some states are way more dangerous to drive in than others. They also discovered that, contrary to popular belief, more crashes occur on rural roads than city streets. Even when factoring in traffic differences, the fatality rate per vehicle mile driven is three times higher in the countryside compared to urban areas.
For drivers across America, we've ranked each state from safest to most dangerous. The next time you grab your keys and hit the open road, you may want to consider taking a detour around these accident-heavy regions. And for more things you should avoid doing in a vehicle, check out the 7 Mistakes You're Making Every Time You Get in Your Car.
50 Rhode Island
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 4.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 48
49 New York
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 5.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 965
48 Massachusetts
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 5.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 359
And for some scenic byways that are safe to cruise down, These Are the Best Road Trips in New England.
47 New Jersey
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 6.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 569
46 Minnesota
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 7.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 357
45 Washington
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 7.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 504
And to see more gorgeous overlooks in the Pacific Northwest, These Are the Best West Coast Road Trips in America.
44 Connecticut
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 281
43 Illinois
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,003
42 Hawaii
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 109
41 Maryland
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 472
40 Virginia
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 722
And for more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.
39 Pennsylvania
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,088
38 California
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 3,357
37 Utah
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 259
36 Ohio
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,053
And for some stunning routes in this region, These Are the Best Road Trips in the Midwest.
35 Vermont
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 57
34 New Hampshire
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 130
33 Wisconsin
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 544
32 Michigan
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 980
31 Colorado
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 558
30 Alaska
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 78
29 Nebraska
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 194
28 Nevada
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 303
And for more beautiful drives near Nevada, These Are the Best Road Trips in the Southwest.
27 Maine
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.1
Total number of fatal crashes: 151
26 Oregon
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 446
25 Indiana
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 768
24 Delaware
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 116
23 Iowa
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 13.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 356
22 South Dakota
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 13.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 103
21 Texas
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 3,407
Texas is a massive state. To discover more of it, check out The Best Road Trips in the South.
20 Arizona
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 865
19 North Carolina
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,348
18 West Virginia
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 250
17 Kansas
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 381
16 Georgia
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,422
15 North Dakota
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 102
14 Idaho
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 232
13 Missouri
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 868
12 Florida
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 2,933
11 Tennessee
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 966
10 Louisiana
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 16.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 704
9 Oklahoma
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 17.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 624
8 Arkansas
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 488
7 Montana
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 171
6 Kentucky
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 763
5 Wyoming
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 19.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 100
4 New Mexico
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 19.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 358
3 South Carolina
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 21.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 936
2 Alabama
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 21.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 937
1 Mississippi
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 23.1
Total number of fatal crashes: 628
These Are the Best Road Trips in the Southwest
Red rocks, stately saguaro cacti, and endless stretches of sandJanuary 15, 2020These Are the Best Road Trips in the South
Antebellum plantations, bourbon trails, oak-lined alleys, and coastal enclavesJanuary 10, 2020These Are the Best West Coast Road Trips in America
From Alaska's glorious peaks to California's windswept coastJanuary 6, 2020These Are the Best Road Trips in the Midwest
Crystalline lakes, rolling prairies, covered bridges, and moreJanuary 6, 2020These Are the Best Road Trips in New England
Experience historic settlements, stunning lighthouses, fiery foliageJanuary 3, 2020The World's Longest Zip Line Is More Epic Than You Ever Imagined—Video
It opened today in UAE. February 2, 2018This Man Has Been Living on a Cruise Ship for Twenty Years
"I'm the happiest guy in the world."May 4, 201850 Things Italians Do Better
Americans are amateurs when it comes to these things.May 7, 201830 Things That Annoy People in Small Towns
Seriously, stop calling everything "adorable."June 15, 2018The 50 Most Death-Defying Selfies
If you have a fear of heights, turn back now.June 18, 2018
