Data compiled by the National Safety Council shows Mississippi, New Mexico and South Carolina are the states with the highest number of fatal crashes. 

Mississippi had 26 deaths per 100,000 people, New Mexico 23 and South Carolina 21.6. The U.S. average is 13.8. Speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving are the most common reason for fatal crashes in Mississippi, according to the data. 

Massachusetts (6.9), New York (7) and Rhode Island (7) were the states with the least amount of fatal crashes per 100,000. 

The National Safety Council also reviewed the fatality rates by 100 million miles traveled and 10,000 registered vehicles. 

South Carolina had the highest fatality rates by miles driven with 1.9 deaths per 100 million miles. Rhode Island had the lowest rate at 0.7. 

Rhode Island also had the lowest rate for registered vehicles at 0.6 deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles. Delaware had the highest rate at 3.5. 

The National Safety Council used 2022 crash data pulled by the Center for Health Statistics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

The annual economic cost for fatal crashes in the U.S. is estimated to be $417 billion, according to a recently published 2025 Roadmap for Safety report produced by the Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety. 

This includes $130 billion in lost workplace and household productivity, $141 billion in property damage costs, $108 billion in other costs, and $38 billion in present and future medical costs, the report says. 

“When loss of life, pain, and decreased quality of life are added to economic costs, it is estimated to exceed $1.4 trillion,” the report says. 

NHTSA early estimates show a decline in fatalities in nearly all subcategories, including pedestrian, speeding-related crashes, rollover crashes, and crashes involving unbuckled occupants during the first half of 2024, a press release says. 

An NHTSA report released in September estimated 18,720 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the first half of 2024, a 3.2% decrease compared to the same time period in 2023. 

During the first half of 2024, the estimated fatality rate is 1.17 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), another decrease from the projected rate of 1.21 in 2023. 

The only categories that saw an increase in fatalities were the 65 and older age group (1%) and motorcyclists (1%). 

Following a sharp increase in traffic fatalities and serious injuries during and after the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) in 2022. 

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Feature photo courtesy of ThomasShanahan/iStock