Every year, tens of thousands of lives are lost on American roads. In 2024 alone, an estimated 40,000 people died in traffic crashes across the country.
While that’s a slight improvement, down 3.8% from the year before, it remains well above pre-pandemic levels, revealing a persistent and pressing national safety issue. To uncover where in America road risks are highest, we’ve analyzed the latest government data on crash fatalities, impaired driving, pedestrian deaths and license violations for each state.
America’s Deadliest States for Road Users
1. Tennessee – Risk Score: 7.3/10
- It may be known as the heart of American music, but Tennessee is also the most dangerous state to drive in. With a risk rating of 7.3/10, the state leads the nation in nearly every dangerous driving metric analyzed.
- With 1,323 fatalities, Tennessee had the highest number of road deaths in proportion to its population. A staggering 780 deaths involved drugs or alcohol, and 224 crashes involved drivers with suspended or revoked licenses.
2. South Carolina – Risk Score: 7.2/10
- South Carolina recorded 1,047 road deaths, with 187 pedestrian fatalities – among the highest per capita. Driving under the influence remains a major issue, with 391 substance-related fatalities, and 163 deaths caused by unlicensed or suspended drivers.
3. Montana – Risk Score: 6.7/10
- Though small in population, Montana saw 208 total fatalities – a disproportionately high rate. 159 of these were substance-related, pointing to serious issues with impaired driving.
4. Louisiana – Risk Score: 6.6/10
- Louisiana experienced 811 total deaths, including 145 pedestrian fatalities. Impaired driving and infrastructure issues continue to drive risk in the state.
5. Arkansas – Risk Score: 5.7/10
- With 596 fatalities, Arkansas ranked fifth in road danger. The state struggles with 137 DUI-related deaths and 82 fatalities involving suspended licenses.
America’s Safest States for Road Users
1. Massachusetts – Risk Score: 0.4/10
- Massachusetts leads the way when it comes to road safety. With just 4.9 fatalities per 100,000 residents, it’s the safest state for anyone behind the wheel or crossing the street.
- There were only nine fatal crashes involved drivers with suspended licenses, which is a testament to the state’s strong traffic enforcement and thoughtful legislation, such as its Vulnerable Road Users Law, which requires drivers to give extra space to cyclists and pedestrians.
2. New York – Risk Score: 0.8/10
- You might not expect one of the most populated states in the country to make this list, but New York is a standout for all the right reasons.
- Thanks to a high reliance on public transit and ongoing investment in the Vision Zero initiative, road fatalities have steadily declined. In fact, the state had just 0.06 impaired-driving deaths per 100,000 people, making it one of the lowest in the nation.
3. Rhode Island – Risk Score: 0.9/10
- With just 71 total fatalities, the Ocean State ranks among the best for road safety. Only 4 deaths involved impaired drivers, and suspended license incidents remain rare.
4. Minnesota – Risk Score: 0.9/10
- Minnesota’s roadways saw 409 fatalities, with safety initiatives and infrastructure playing a key role in keeping impaired and unlicensed drivers off the roads.
5. Utah – Risk Score: 1.2/10
- Utah rounds out the top five with a strong safety showing. The state had just 45 fatal crashes involving impaired drivers, and investments in driver education and public awareness campaigns continue to pay off.
- Utah also has among the lowest per capita crash rates involving suspended licenses, helping to keep unfit drivers off the roads.
Been in a Serious Crash? Know Your Rights
If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious crash, the aftermath can be overwhelming – physically, emotionally and financially.
At Herron Law Firm, we’ve spent more than 27 years fighting for crash victims in Oregon. From recovering lost wages to holding negligent drivers accountable, we understand how to navigate these complex cases.
Learn more about working with an experienced car accident lawyer.
Methodology
Herron Law Firm used data released in 2024 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s FARS census. Four key risk factors were analyzed per state:
- Total road accident fatalities
- Pedestrian deaths
- Fatal crashes involving alcohol or drugs
- Fatal crashes involving suspended/revoked licenses
Using min-max normalization, each state was scored from 0 to 10 (with 10 indicating the highest risk). Combined scores determined each state’s overall danger level for road users.