There are many states around the country that have an extremely high number of car accidents, especially when compared to the other states that are considered to be relatively safe. However, one state stands out from the rest, and it’s the state of Florida. The reason why this state is so high is because the number of people living in the state is so high, meaning there’s a higher chance of a car accident happening. In fact, according to data provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the state of Florida had more than half a million car accidents in 2016, making it the state with the most car accidents in the United States.
South Carolina
While some may argue that South Carolina has the best driving conditions in the country, a recent study from Forbes Advisor has ranked the state as the second worst for drivers. They studied five key metrics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Speeding was the most common cause of fatal crashes, according to the study. A total of 218 collisions were attributed to speeding.
Distracted driving was also involved in a number of collisions, and distracted drivers are a danger to both themselves and other drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distracted driving as using an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
Florida
Florida is one of the most dangerous states for drivers. Every day, there are 1,000 car accidents in the state. Its roadways are congested, and drivers often fail to obey the rules of the road.
The most dangerous cities in the state are Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), there are more than 40,000 crashes in the state every year. Some of the reasons are high traffic, congested roads, and tourists.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Florida’s fatality rate is about 1.60 per 100 million miles traveled. In addition to deaths, injuries also occur.
North Carolina
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released first-quarter vehicle accident fatality projections. This report reflects a 7% increase from the first three months of 2021. However, the report is based on preliminary estimates and may not reflect the rest of the year.
Traffic deaths in North Carolina have been increasing in recent years. In fact, the number of car crashes is higher than the five-year average. NCDOT has found that speeding, distracted driving and unbuckled seatbelts are leading causes of traffic fatalities.
The NHTSA’s preliminary estimate shows a 51% increase in traffic fatalities in North Carolina in the first quarter of 2022. This means that nearly 8,200 people will be killed or injured in car accidents in that quarter.
New Jersey
The number of fatal car accidents in 2022 in New Jersey is the highest in the last 15 years. That’s according to the New Jersey State Police. In fact, 440 people have died in these crashes so far this year, bringing the total to 698.
Some of these deadly collisions were caused by drunk driving. Drunk driving is involved in nearly 40% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes.
The federal government is taking steps to decrease serious deaths on the nation’s roadways. It is working to improve funding and add advanced driver assistance technologies.
Tennessee
The state of Tennessee ranks eighth in the nation for the number of traffic fatalities. With over 5,000 deaths in the past five years, Tennessee is on the road to reducing the number of roadway deaths. However, despite the state’s efforts, there are still many more fatalities than there are survivors.
One reason for the high rate of fatal car accidents is the number of drivers on the roads. Many drivers are young and distracted. They can be distracted by their phones, eating, drinking, talking, and more.
Car accident statistics also show that speeding is a common factor in the majority of fatal crashes. In fact, the “Slow Down Tennessee” campaign has been launched to reduce speeding-related injuries and fatalities.
COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that has caused the death of four million people. The virus was found in Wuhan, China, in 2007. It has spread globally, with the first case reported in Greece on 26 February 2020.
While many experts believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted traffic safety, there has been little research examining its impact on car accidents. This is an important issue, given that road traffic crashes are among the world’s leading causes of death. Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on RTCs is particularly relevant to disaster medicine leaders.
