New analysis finds that expensive vehicles, including pickups, SUVs, and luxury brands, are disproportionately involved in fatal crashes. Missouri’s roads are among the deadliest in the nation.
A new report from Kevin McManus Law reveals a troubling pattern in both Missouri and nationwide: drivers of more expensive vehicles are statistically more likely to engage in dangerous, aggressive behavior behind the wheel, leading to higher accident rates and fatalities.
The study, which analyzes data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, shows a clear link between vehicle cost and crash involvement—especially among pickup trucks, SUVs, and luxury cars.
The Deadly Reality on U.S. and Missouri Roads
Nationwide, 40,990 people died in car crashes in 2023, according to NHTSA data, averaging over 100 fatalities per day. In Missouri alone, there were 991 crash-related deaths, with Kansas City accounting for 102 fatalities.
Notably, 53% of Missouri’s crash fatalities involved pickup trucks or SUVs, with 528 deadly crashes tied to those vehicle types. Popular models like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Toyota RAV4, with median prices between $33,000 and $59,000, dominate Missouri roads.
Yet it’s not just volume, it’s behavior.
The Hidden Risk of Expensive Vehicles
Kevin McManus Law’s analysis shows a sharp correlation between vehicle price and risky driving behaviors, including speeding, failure to yield, and distracted driving.
On a national level, luxury brands now account for 40% of the top accident-involved vehicles. Despite being equipped with advanced safety technology, brands like Tesla, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are consistently overrepresented in crash statistics.
Among the top ten luxury vehicles involved in crashes, the leaders are:
- Tesla – 36.94 crashes per 1,000 drivers
- Audi – 32.23
- BMW – 30.43
- Infiniti – 29.37
- Lexus – 28.67
- Acura – 28.44
- Mercedes-Benz – 26.39
- Volvo – 26.35
- Land Rover – 25.97
- Lincoln – 21.59
While these vehicles receive high marks for crash safety from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the data suggests that advanced features can’t compensate for dangerous driving habits.
The Income-to-Crash Gap
The firm also examined the role of income and affordability. In 2023, the national median household income was $80,610, while Missouri’s median was lower at $68,920, with Kansas City trailing slightly at $67,449.
Given that many new vehicles in Missouri retail for $50,000 or more, many drivers are operating well beyond the recommended 10% income-to-car price ratio. The data also revealed a 3% drop in pedestrian yielding for every $1,000 increase in vehicle value, indicating that drivers of more expensive cars are not just more aggressive, they’re also less attentive to pedestrian safety.
Dangerous Driving Patterns in Missouri
In Missouri, the breakdown of crash causes in 2023 is alarming:
- 53% involved speeding
- 17% were tied to alcohol
- 10% resulted from distracted driving
High-powered pickups and SUVs were involved in more than half of these cases, suggesting that larger, more expensive vehicles are also disproportionately linked to fatalities on state roads.
Kansas City’s Most Dangerous Roads in 2023
The firm also identified Kansas City’s top 10 high-fatality roads, based on 2023 data:
- I-435 – 26 fatalities
- Truman Road – 12
- U.S. 71 – 11
- I-70 – 11
- Prospect Avenue – 9
- Ward Parkway – 8
- Troost Avenue – 7
- Independence Avenue – 6
- Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. – 4
- 31st Street – 4
“These aren’t just dangerous intersections. They’re patterns, and they’re preventable,” said a spokesperson for Kevin McManus Law. “We’re seeing clear trends where vehicle type, price, and driver behavior intersect to create fatal outcomes.”
Solutions: What Missouri (and America) Can Do
Kevin McManus Law outlines four key strategies to help lower crash rates and protect lives:
- Stronger seatbelt enforcement, especially for pickups and SUVs, where 63% of fatalities involve unbelted passengers.
- Targeted safety campaigns focused on high-risk drivers and vehicle types, such as large trucks and luxury brands.
- Investment in safer infrastructure, particularly on high-fatality roads in both urban and rural areas.
- Incentives for safer car ownership, including tax breaks for purchasing used vehicles equipped with advanced safety technology.
The Final Word: Cars Don’t Crash Themselves, Drivers Do
“Our data clearly shows that it’s not just what people drive, it’s how they drive it,” said the firm’s spokesperson. “Luxury cars and high-powered pickups are both symbols of status, but they’re also showing up at the center of crash reports far too often.”
“The vehicles may have changed, but the problem is the same: reckless behavior behind the wheel is the root cause of most crashes. Our roads don’t have to stay this dangerous, but we need to rethink what we drive, how we drive it, and who we hold accountable when tragedy strikes.”
