Mississippi currently holds the title of the most dangerous state for drivers, according to a recent analysis of federal data. The report, published this month by the online tire retailer Priority Tire, measures the rate of fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, placing the Magnolia State at the top of the list.
Nationwide, there were 9.6 fatal crashes per 100,000 people in 2023. Mississippi’s rate reached 24.9, more than double the national average, with the state recording 732 fatal crashes during the year. This figure marks a 4% increase from 2022, when the state recorded 703 fatalities. Following Mississippi, Wyoming ranked second with a rate of 24.7 and 144 total fatal crashes—a 7% increase from the previous year’s 134. New Mexico rounded out the top three with a rate of 20.7, followed by South Carolina at 19.5 and Arkansas at 19.4.
While some states saw increases, others experienced improvements. New Mexico saw its fatal crashes fall 6% from 466 in 2022 to 437 in 2023. South Carolina and Arkansas also recorded declines of 4% and 6%, respectively. Significant year-over-year shifts were also noted elsewhere; Rhode Island saw a 37% increase in fatal crashes, while Idaho and Iowa recorded increases of 28% and 12%, respectively. Conversely, Alaska saw a 27% decline, Hawaii dropped 20%, and Massachusetts decreased by 21%.
Massachusetts currently holds the lowest fatal crash rate in the country at 4.9 per 100,000 residents. New York followed at 5.7, while Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Hawaii each recorded a rate of 6.5.
Dimitri Chernyak, president of Priority Tire, noted that rural roads may contribute to these higher fatality rates due to factors such as higher speed limits, less frequent maintenance, and increased distances to medical facilities. To improve safety, Chernyak advises drivers to consistently wear seat belts, take breaks when experiencing fatigue, and ensure their vehicles are properly maintained, specifically by checking tire pressure and tread depth.
The study clarifies that these rankings are based on fatal crashes relative to population size rather than total crash volume, ensuring that larger populations do not skew the findings.
