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
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 4.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 48
49 | New York
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 5.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 965
48 | Massachusetts
iStockRoad 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
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 6.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 569
46 | Minnesota
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 7.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 357
45 | Washington
ShutterstockRoad 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
Jon Bilous / ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 281
43 | Illinois
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,003
42 | Hawaii
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 109
41 | Maryland
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 472
40 | Virginia
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 722
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39 | Pennsylvania
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,088
38 | California
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 3,357
37 | Utah
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 259
36 | Ohio
Sean Pavone / ShutterstockRoad 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
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 57
34 | New Hampshire
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 130
33 | Wisconsin
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 544
32 | Michigan
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 980
31 | Colorado
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 558
30 | Alaska
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 78
29 | Nebraska
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 194
28 | Nevada
ShutterstockRoad 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
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.1
Total number of fatal crashes: 151
26 | Oregon
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 446
25 | Indiana
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 768
24 | Delaware
Eric B. Walker/FlickrRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 116
23 | Iowa
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 13.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 356
22 | South Dakota
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 13.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 103
21 | Texas
ShutterstockRoad 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
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 865
19 | North Carolina
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,348
18 | West Virginia
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 250
17 | Kansas
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 381
16 | Georgia
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,422
15 | North Dakota
ZakZeinert / ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 102
14 | Idaho
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 232
13 | Missouri
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 868
12 | Florida
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 2,933
11 | Tennessee
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 966
10 | Louisiana
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 16.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 704
9 | Oklahoma
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 17.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 624
8 | Arkansas
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 488
7 | Montana
ShutterstockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 171
6 | Kentucky
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 763
5 | Wyoming
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 19.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 100
4 | New Mexico
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 19.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 358
3 | South Carolina
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 21.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 936
1 | Mississippi
iStockRoad fatalities per 100,000 people: 23.1
Total number of fatal crashes: 628
