A new nationwide analysis shows that the most dangerous driving situations are often the most routine. The study reveals that a large share of fatal crashes occur when drivers are simply going straight, rather than performing complex maneuvers such as turning or merging.
The research, conducted by The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, examined drivers involved in fatal crashes across all U.S. states between 2019 and 2023. The analysis also ranked states by the rate of drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents.
Mississippi recorded the highest rate in the country, with 32.39 drivers involved in fatal crashes annually per 100,000 residents. At the other end of the ranking, Massachusetts had the lowest rate at 7.38 drivers per 100,000 residents annually, more than four times lower than Mississippi’s figure.
According to the data, Mississippi recorded 4,761 drivers involved in fatal crashes during the five-year study period. The most common pre-crash movement in the state was “going straight,” accounting for 2,591 incidents.
Wyoming ranked second, with 28.52 drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually. Although it has the smallest population of any U.S. state, Wyoming recorded 833 drivers involved in fatal crashes during the period studied. The most common movement before the crash was also “going straight,” followed by “negotiating a curve.”
New Mexico ranked third, with 28.42 drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually, and 3,005 drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2019 and 2023. A majority of these drivers, 1,852, were traveling straight before the collision occurred. Analysts suggest that the state’s rural highways and higher speed limits may contribute to its elevated fatal crash rate.
South Carolina ranked fourth with 28.10 drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually. The state recorded 7,550 drivers involved in fatal crashes over the study period, continuing a trend in which South Carolina consistently ranks among states with higher traffic fatality rates.
Arkansas rounded out the top five with 27.86 drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually. The state recorded 4,274 drivers involved in fatal crashes during the study period. “Going straight” was again the most frequent pre-crash movement, followed by drivers “turning left.”
At the opposite end of the ranking, Massachusetts reported the lowest rate of drivers involved in fatal crashes, at 7.38 per 100,000 residents annually. Despite having a population exceeding seven million, the state recorded 2,583 drivers involved in fatal crashes over the five-year period. Like most states, the most common movement before a crash was driving straight ahead.
New York ranked second-lowest with 7.53 drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually, with 7,364 drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2019 and 2023. Researchers suggest that the state’s extensive public transportation network and lower speeds in dense urban areas may help reduce fatal crash rates.
Rhode Island ranked third-lowest, with 7.61 drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually, and recorded 417 drivers involved in fatal crashes during the study period. Hawaii followed with 9.32 drivers per 100,000 residents annually, while New Jersey rounded out the five lowest states at 9.56 drivers per 100,000 residents annually.
Across the entire country, the study found that “going straight” was consistently the most common pre-crash movement, followed by “negotiating a curve.” This pattern indicates that fatal crashes frequently occur during routine driving situations rather than complex traffic maneuvers.
Experts involved in the analysis noted that this finding highlights the role of factors such as speed, road conditions, and driver attention in fatal accidents.
“The data clearly shows regional patterns in crash fatality rates, with southern and western states generally experiencing higher rates than northeastern states,” a spokesperson from the Law Offices of James A. Welcome said.
The study also found that states with higher population density and stronger public transportation systems tend to record lower rates of drivers involved in fatal crashes. All five states with the lowest rates are located in the Northeast, where public transit options and dense urban environments often reduce reliance on high-speed highway travel.
Researchers say the findings serve as a reminder that even routine driving requires constant attention, as most fatal crashes occur during everyday driving rather than during complex maneuvers.