Worst States for Traffic Fatalities in 2025 (Driving Risks & Rate Impact)

Despite advancements in vehicle safety technology, there are more than 35,000 people auto accident deaths every year, one of many factors that affect auto insurance rates.

So, where do the most car accidents happen in the U.S.? 

The states with the most car accidents are Texas, California, and Florida. All three also rank among the deadliest states for pedestrians and bicyclists.

However, these states have some of the highest populations in the country. More people on the road increases the likelihood of an accident, but this doesn’t mean they are the worst states for driving.

Our study examines the leading cause of car accidents and vehicle deaths, as well as how fatal car crash statistics for your state impact the cost of auto insurance. 

Safe drivers can earn discounts for keeping a clean driving record, which will help you save money on car insurance if you live in one of the top 10 states with the most fatal car accidents. Enter your ZIP code to instantly compare quotes from top providers.

Top 10 Worst States for Traffic Fatalities

Do you live in one of the most dangerous states for drivers in America? You might live in one of the worst states for drunk driving without knowing. Mississippi is the state with most fatal car accidents per 100,000 people, or the state with the most car accidents per capita. 

10 Most Dangerous States for Drivers: Accident Stats

At least 20 people per 100,000 died in traffic-related fatalities in Mississippi, Wyoming, Arkansas, and South Carolina. More than half of these fatal crash victims were drivers, but pedestrians and cyclists make up 10%-15% of car accident fatalities. 

Both South Carolina and New Mexico were among the deadliest states with most auto accidents per capita in 2019.

10 Worst States for Pedestrian & Cyclist Traffic Fatalities: Annual Statistics

California, Florida, and Texas may have the highest number of pedestrian deaths, but New Mexico is the most dangerous state for pedestrians compared to its population size. In New Mexico, 20% of fatal accidents involve pedestrians.

Texas and California also have the most traffic deaths by state due to extremely large populations.

Looking at traffic deaths by state, places such as Montana and Wyoming also top lists. These states have lesser populations but still have high automobile deaths per year due to rural roads. North Dakota and Wyoming also have high vehicle deaths per year. Drunk driving causes the worst traffic accidents in these areas.

Cyclists make up a small percentage of highway deaths — the national average is 2%. New Mexico is on par with the national average. However, in Florida, 5% of fatal accidents involve cyclists, and the average is 3% in Delaware.

State With the Most Fatal Car Accidents

Texas has the most deadly car accidents, with 3,615 traffic fatalities in 2019. California is a close second, with 3,606 traffic deaths. Since California is the most populous state in the country, followed by Texas, we examined the number of traffic fatalities per 100,000 people.

Our study shows Mississippi often leads in fatal crashes, with 25+ deaths per 100K. Over a quarter involve drunk driving, and nearly half occur on rural roads.

Leading Cause of Vehicle Deaths in the United States

More fatal accidents occur on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher. Speeding fatalities make up the majority of vehicular deaths per year. Speeding was the leading cause of fatal crashes in 2019 (17.2%), and nearly 19% of those drivers had prior convictions for speeding.

However, more than 15,000 traffic-related fatalities are caused by unknown factors, and more than half of fatal accidents involve good drivers with clean driving records.

Driving under the influence (10.1%) and failure to yield the right of way (7.3%) are the next major driving factors that lead to fatal accidents. Alcohol was involved in nearly a third of the traffic-related fatalities discussed above, and more than half of these accidents may have been avoided if the victims had been wearing seat belts.

How Location Affects Auto Insurance Rates

Location is a significant factor in determining car insurance rates. Auto insurance companies consider traffic fatalities, commute times, and the auto theft rates in your city and state before issuing a policy.

The policy type and level of coverage you choose will also impact how much you pay. For example, each state requires minimum liability insurance, and these limits vary based on the number of accidents and uninsured motorists in your state.

Look at this table to compare average auto insurance rates by state.

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by State & Coverage Level

You likely pay more for auto insurance if you live in a state with a higher number of car accidents. However, you can still get cheap auto insurance quotes if you maintain a good driving record, park your car in a garage, and install additional safety features in your vehicle.

Living in states with dangerous driving conditions typically cause higher insurance premiums. When looking into car accidents by state per capita, some states rank higher because of road conditions, driver behavior, and traffic volume.

Mississippi often ranks highest for traffic deaths, raising car insurance costs. Wyoming and South Carolina also have high accident rates.

When researching the state with most car crashes, Texas emerges at top. Other states with most car accidents include California and Florida. The accident rate by state shows that these states face high numbers of traffic incidents, driven by high population commuter traffic.

Ways Safe Drivers Can Save on Their Car Insurance

Insurance companies consider your driving record when calculating rates, and safe drivers pay less for car insurance because they are less likely to file a claim. For example, one car accident can raise your rates by $1,000 per year or more. 

See how rates vary based on driving record in this table.

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record

Maintaining a good driving record can help you avoid higher rates in the future. Most insurers also offer discounts for safe drivers. Depending on where you buy auto insurance, you may be eligible to earn 5%-20% off your annual auto insurance rates.

Some drivers sign up for usage-based auto insurance and telematics programs to track their driving habits and earn discounts. 

If your insurer doesn’t provide telematics technology, you can earn discounts by taking defensive driving courses that will teach you how to better anticipate other drivers’ behaviors on the road.

Most companies also reward drivers with reduced rates for remaining accident-free every year they renew.

Before you buy, remember you’ll find the cheapest auto insurance rates when you compare multiple companies online to find one that offers the safe driving discounts you need. 

What You Need to Know About the Worst States for Traffic-Related Fatalities

The worst states for traffic fatalities are Mississippi, Wyoming, and Arkansas. In addition, more than half of the top 10 states with the most fatal car accidents are in the Southern region of the U.S., meaning car insurance rates are more expensive in these states.

Maintaining a clean driving record is the easiest way to get cheap auto insurance rates in states with the most car accidents. For example, insurance companies will reward you with discounts if you take defensive driving courses and remain accident and claim-free during your annual policy. 

However, you may have to shop for insurance with high-risk companies if you’ve been involved in an accident. Rates for high-risk auto insurance are more expensive, but you can still find a competitive price when you shop around online and compare auto insurance quotes from multiple companies.

When comparing the states with the most car accidents per capita, states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina top the list. High accident rates cause more road fatalities by state. Car accident fatalities by state data show that South Carolina, Louisiana, and Mississippi suffer from a high number of traffic deaths compared to their populations.

Methodology: How to Determine the Worst States for Traffic-Related Fatalities

We used the 2019 National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) FARS data to find the number of traffic fatalities per state. First, we considered how many auto deaths occurred per 100,000 persons to find an accurate representation based on each state’s population size.

On average, 11 per 100,000 people die in auto-related accidents in the U.S. The worst states have a significantly higher rate of death per 100,000, with Mississippi being the state with the most fatal car accidents per capita (25.4 per 100,000).

We also considered the percentage of drunk driving-related fatalities and seat belt usage to determine how many of these fatal accidents were caused by careless drivers. For pedestrians and cyclists, states were also ranked by the number of deaths per 100,000 to accurately represent population size.