Southern and Western States Dominate Risk Rankings, Northeastern States Lead in Safety
A new analysis from Whitley Law Firm has uncovered striking regional differences in road safety across the United States, with Southern and Western states disproportionately represented among the most dangerous for both speeding and drunk driving crashes. In contrast, Northeastern states consistently rank among the safest, suggesting that geography, culture, and enforcement practices all play significant roles in shaping driver behavior.
The study drew on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for the years 2018 through 2022, calculating the average annual rate of speeding vehicles and drunk drivers involved in crashes per 100,000 residents in every state.
Southern States Lead in Speeding-Related Crashes
South Carolina emerged as the most dangerous state for speeding, recording 7.74 speeding vehicles per 100,000 residents. That figure places it well ahead of Wyoming (7.25), New Mexico (6.75), Montana (5.82), and Missouri (5.53), which rounded out the top five.
Notably, three of the top five states — South Carolina, New Mexico, and Missouri — are in the South, while two others, Wyoming and Montana, represent the rural West.
The study also found that Rhode Island had the highest proportion of speeding crashes relative to total accidents. More than 33% of all crashes in Rhode Island involved speeding, even though its per-capita numbers placed it outside the overall top tier.
Western States Struggle With Drunk Driving
When it comes to alcohol-related crashes, Montana led the nation with 7.60 drunk drivers per 100,000 residents. South Carolina once again appeared near the top at 6.61, while Louisiana (6.44), New Mexico (6.27), and Wyoming (5.79) also posted high rates.
Montana stood out further with the highest percentage of drunk drivers in crashes, at 35.61%. This means more than one-third of all crashes in the state involved alcohol, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
Clear Regional Divide
The findings paint a clear picture: Southern and Western states dominate the top of the rankings for both speeding and drunk driving. By contrast, Northeastern states consistently report the lowest rates of these dangerous driving behaviors.
For example:
- New York recorded the lowest rate of drunk driving crashes at just 1.33 per 100,000 residents.
- Massachusetts reported only 1.42 speeding vehicles per 100,000 residents, the third-lowest in the country.
- New Jersey and Pennsylvania also ranked in the bottom five for both categories, joining Utah as the only non-Northeastern state to consistently post low rates.
Mixed Results in Other Regions
The Midwest presented a more mixed picture. States like Missouri ranked high for speeding, while Nebraska fell into the safer group with a rate of only 1.75 speeding vehicles per 100,000 residents.
Meanwhile, Mississippi highlighted how states can perform well in one category but struggle in another. It ranked 47th for speeding as a proportion of crashes (10.7%) but sat in the middle of the pack — 24th overall — for drunk driving incidents.
Expert Commentary
A spokesperson from Whitley Law Firm noted that these regional disparities suggest deeper underlying causes.
“From a road safety perspective, the regional patterns are impossible to ignore,” the spokesperson said. “Southern and rural Western states consistently struggle with speeding and alcohol-related crashes, while the Northeast performs much better across the board. Factors such as infrastructure, enforcement practices, cultural attitudes, and even availability of public transit may play roles in shaping these outcomes.”
The spokesperson also emphasized the preventable nature of the problem:
“Every single speeding or drunk driving crash represents a choice. Slowing down and planning a sober ride are simple steps that save lives. States with lower crash rates may hold valuable lessons for policymakers and communities working to reduce risks.”
Implications for Policy and Safety Campaigns
The regional divide revealed in the study suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective. Instead, targeted interventions based on local conditions could make a greater impact. In rural Western states, for example, long distances between towns and limited transit options may require different solutions than urbanized Northeastern regions where public transportation is more accessible.
Similarly, Southern states grappling with high speeding rates may benefit from stricter enforcement, improved road design, and public education campaigns tailored to local driving culture.
Methodology
The Whitley Law Firm analysis relied on FARS data from 2018–2022, focusing on the number of speeding vehicles and drunk drivers involved in crashes. The study calculated per-capita rates by comparing average annual totals against each state’s population, then ranked all 50 states from highest to lowest in both categories.
Conclusion
The data highlights a profound regional divide in America’s road safety landscape. While states like South Carolina and Montana continue to struggle with high crash rates tied to speeding and impaired driving, Northeastern states like New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey demonstrate that progress is possible.
For policymakers, law enforcement, and drivers alike, the findings serve as both a warning and a roadmap: where you drive matters as much as how you drive.
