New Jersey is the safest state for drivers, hands down. The study scored this state a 0/100—and that’s a very good thing! New Jersey tied for second for the least fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, showing only seven.
Analyzing these few fatal crashes, 25% were from speeding and 57% from driving under the influence. Drivers in New Jersey are more likely to wear their seatbelts, and the state’s strict driving laws for new drivers help keep its roads safer than anywhere else in the nation.
Speeding in Nebraska only caused 16% of fatal auto accidents, one of the lowest in the nation. The state scored a lowly 7/100, deeming it one of the safest states to drive in. While only a slightly smaller percentage of crash fatalities, Nebraska has seen a decrease in these numbers by 5%.
It seems the state’s most problematic issue with driving safety is impaired drivers. 65% of fatal crashes were related to driving under the influence. So while this is one of the safest states, it’s best to still keep an eye on other drivers.
Maine rounds out the top three safest states to drive in, with the total number of fatal crashes per capita dropping 7%. Scoring a commendable 9/100, this safe-driving state shares nearly identical stats with Nebraska.
Percentages for speeding and impaired driving were only slightly higher than in Nebraska—17% and 69%, respectively. These marginal differences underscore the consistent dedication to road safety shared by both states.
Rhode Island has a very high rate of impaired driving deaths despite being among the safest states for driving. More than 72% of fatal accidents in this state are caused by drunk or distracted driving.
The reason Rhode Island is a safer state is because of its insanely low number of fatal crashes—only six per 100,000, the lowest in the country. Rhode Island also saw fatalities decrease by 6%, even with negligent drivers causing 84% of accidents.
Utah sees one of the lowest impaired driving fatality rates in the nation at 51%. However, although Utah residents are some of the safest drivers and least likely to drive drunk, fatal accidents increased by 19%.
Speeding accounts for one-third of fatal crashes, a relatively low number. Fortunately, Utah's roads maintain a decent level of safety, a reassuring factor amidst the state's vibrant travel culture.
Massachusetts ties for first as having the lowest number of fatal crashes per 100,000 residents. In all honesty, that may be the most important stat to look at.
However, of those fatal crashes, 77% were due to impaired driving, meaning they were either drunk or distracted. That doesn’t make anyone feel safe. 27% were due to speeding. Still, the low number of fatal crashes helps make this one of the safest states to be on the road in.
In Minnesota, while the tally of fatal crashes may be marginally higher compared to some other states, the overall figures remain relatively low, offering drivers a reassuring sense of safety. A closer examination reveals that 58% of these tragic incidents stemmed from impaired driving, while 34% were attributed to speeding.
Despite these concerning trends, the state's commitment to road safety initiatives and relatively lower overall accident rates underscores its reputation as a generally safe environment for motorists.
Similarly to Massachussetts and Rhode Island (and not yet mentioned Maryland), New York has a high rate of impaired driving deaths despite being among the safest states for driving. Drunk or distracted driving accounts for more than 72% of fatal accidents.
Still, the state ties for the lowest number of fatal crashes. That’s enough to make any driver feel safer on the road. So, like always, remain alert on the road, but also breathe easy knowing you’re driving secure roads.
Despite being among the safest states for driving, Maryland is the last of the New England states to struggle with relatively high rates of impaired driving deaths. However, Maryland has witnessed a 2% decrease in fatalities.
While this is encouraging, it's concerning that over 75% of these fatal accidents involved impaired drivers. Nevertheless, with an overall safety score of 21/100, Maryland still manages to secure its position as the 9th safest state to drive in.
Kansas has one of the lowest impaired driving fatality rates in the nation at 55%, outranked only by West Virginia (53%), Utah (51%), and Kentucky (50%). Kansas residents are some of the safest drivers and least likely to drive drunk than in other states.
Fatal accidents in Kansas haven’t seen an increase or decrease—they remain the same. The reason Kansas is not ranked higher on the list is that the number of fatal crashes per 100,000 residents is relatively high for “safe states,” sitting at 13.
