[Vision2020] Most Dangerous States to Drive

[Kenneth Marcy]

*Most Dangerous States to Drive*

*http://tinyurl.com/p2tzlcq*

The number of fatal injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents has 
dropped significantly over the last 10 years. In 2003, 42,884 were 
killed in motor vehicle accidents. By 2013, that number dropped to 
32,719. While the death rate across the country for 2013 was roughly one 
out of every 10,000 U.S. residents, the fatality rate varied 
considerably state by state.

Only Texas had more than 3,000 fatal road accidents. However, after 
adjusting for population, many states had a significantly higher rate of 
fatal accidents than Texas. To rank the most dangerous states to drive 
in, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state by state fatality data from the 
Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) along with rural and urban 
travel data provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA). With 
22.6 roadway fatalities for every 100,000 residents, Montana is the most 
dangerous state in the country to drive. By contrast, the corresponding 
rate in Massachusetts is 4.9 fatalities for every 100,000 residents, 
making it the safest state in the country to drive.

*Click here to see the most dangerous states to drive in. 
<http://247wallst.com/special-report/2015/11/25/mostleast-dangerous-states-to-drive/2/>*

Many of the most dangerous states to drive in share several 
characteristics. In an interview with 24/7 Wall St., Russ Rader, a 
spokesman for the IIHS, explained that the most significant factor that 
differentiates the safest states from the most dangerous ones is how 
urban or rural it is. According to Rader, nearly across the board, 
“rural states have higher fatality rates than urban ones.”

In fact, in four out of the five most most dangerous states, well over 
half of all miles driven in 2013 were in rural areas. By contrast, in 22 
of the 25 safest states, less than half of all miles driven were through 
rural areas. Rader explained that this makes a difference because on 
rural roads, “speeds are higher and there are more two lane roads 
(where) risk is greater for head-on collisions.” By contrast, in urban 
areas, “speeds are lower, there’s more congestion, and that means that 
fatal crashes are less likely.”

The choices an individual makes as a driver or passenger of a vehicle 
also matter a great deal. One of the most obvious ways to reduce the 
likelihood of a fatality in the event of an accident is to buckle up. 
Seat belt use tends to be lower in states with the highest rate of 
roadway fatalities, and the opposite is true in states with the lowest 
rates of death on the road. Nationwide, about 87% of people use a seat 
belt when riding in a passenger vehicle. In 10 of the 15 safest states 
to drive in, seat belt use is greater than or equal to the national 
rate. Conversely, seat belt use is below the national rate in 12 of the 
15 most dangerous states, including Idaho, where only 62% of residents 
buckle up, the lowest rate of any state in the country.


*15. Idaho
 > Road deaths per 100,000:* 13.3
*> Total roadway fatalities in 2013:* 214
*> Pct. of residents using seat belt:* 62%

The car accident fatality rate of 13.3 deaths for every 100,000 
residents on Idaho roads is slightly higher the national rate of 10.3 
fatalities for every 100,000 residents. As in many of the states with 
the highest rate of roadway fatalities, drivers and passengers in Idaho 
are less likely to use a seat belt. While about 87% of Americans use a 
seat belt, in Idaho, only 62% buckle up, the smallest share of any state 
in the country.


If Idaho is at number 15, obviously things could be worse.  They are 
worse east of here in Montana:

*1. Montana
 > Road deaths per 100,000:* 22.6
*> Total roadway fatalities in 2013:* 229
*> Pct. of residents using seat belt:* 74%

States with more rural roadways are typically more dangerous than more 
urban states. In Montana, more than 69% of all vehicle miles driven in 
2013 were in rural areas. Correspondingly, 98% of all deadly accidents 
in the state happened in rural areas. As in many of the states with the 
highest rate of roadway fatalities, drivers and passengers in Montana 
are less likely to use a seat belt. While about 87% of Americans use a 
seat belt, only 74% buckle up in Montana. With 22.6 deaths on the road 
for every 100,000 state residents in 2013, Montana is the most dangerous 
state to drive in the country.


By the way, Idaho's other surrounding states rank as follows: Wyoming 
12, Nevada 33, Oregon 37, Utah 42, and Washington 46.

*http://tinyurl.com/p2tzlcq *

The text of this report has been edited slightly to make seat belts two 
words rather than one.  In vehicles, seats are attached mechanically, 
usually with metal-to-metal connections, which do not merit a special 
name such as seat belt, whether or not styled as one word.  Human butts, 
on the other hand, are secured to vehicle seats with belts, butt belts, 
and if you prefer to style the name as one word, buttbelts, go right 
ahead.  In any case, drive safely, and buckle your butt belts.


*Ken*

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