Despite a slight dip in traffic deaths, America’s roads remain alarmingly dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 40,901 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2023, a 4.3% decrease from 2022’s 42,721 fatalities. But behind that headline figure lies a troubling truth: millions more were injured, and three high-risk behaviors, drunk driving, speeding, and failing to wear a seat belt, continue to fuel the majority of deadly crashes.

A new nationwide analysis from Pegasus Legal Capital digs deeper, spotlighting the states and regions where drivers face the most danger. By combining raw fatality totals with per-capita rates, the study pinpoints both the states where the most people die and those where individuals face the highest personal risk.

America’s Crash Problem: The Big Picture

In 2023 alone:

• 12,429 people were killed in crashes involving drunk driving (30% of total deaths).
• 11,775 deaths were tied to speeding (29%).
• 10,484 deaths occurred when occupants were not wearing seat belts (26%).

While 91.9% of Americans buckle up, the small percentage who don’t often pay the ultimate price. These three behaviors, combined with the rise of distracted driving, are the recurring threats behind the country’s persistent traffic death toll.

Drunk Driving: The Most Persistent Killer

Drunk driving remains the most deadly single factor on U.S. roads. Nationally, the South leads with 4.39 drunk-driving deaths per 100,000 residents, followed by the West (4.04), the Midwest (3.67), and the Northeast (2.29).

On raw totals, Texas (1,699 deaths) and California (1,355 deaths) tower above other states, reflecting both population size and widespread alcohol-related crashes. Florida (839), Ohio (455), and Georgia (433) also rank high. But on a per-capita basis, smaller states such as Wyoming, Montana, and South Carolina are among the most dangerous places to be on the road after dark.

Speeding: A Worsening Epidemic

Speeding accounts for nearly one in three roadway deaths. Regionally, the West records the highest speeding fatality rate (7.13 per 100,000), well above the Midwest (5.99) and South (5.85). Northeastern states fare better, with fewer per-capita deaths tied to excessive speed.

The highest raw speeding death totals once again come from Texas (1,484) and California (1,303), followed by North Carolina (632) and Pennsylvania (491). But the per-capita story reveals the hidden danger of smaller states like South Carolina and Wyoming, where reckless driving habits and rural enforcement gaps magnify the risks.

Seat Belts: A Simple Fix Ignored by Too Many

Seat belts save lives—reducing fatal injury risk by nearly 45% for front-seat occupants—yet millions of Americans still refuse to use them. Fatalities from not buckling up are highest in the West (7.61 per 100,000), followed by the South (6.45) and the Midwest (6.18).

States with the most total unbelted deaths include Texas (1,110), Florida (811), and California (624). But again, the per-capita outlook points to smaller rural states, where low compliance and long stretches of highway create lethal conditions.

The States Where It’s Most Dangerous to Drive

By combining drunk driving, speeding, and unbelted fatalities into a composite risk score, the study highlights the states where multiple risky behaviors overlap. Wyoming, Montana, and South Carolina top the list, with New Mexico, Mississippi, and Louisiana close behind. Common factors include rural roadways, cultural resistance to traffic laws, and slower emergency response times, all of which make crashes more likely to end in tragedy.

When Crashes Happen: Why Weekends Are Deadliest

The study also reveals when fatal crashes are most likely to occur. While weekdays recorded more total deaths (23,562), weekends are disproportionately dangerous per day. Saturday is the deadliest day of the week, followed by Sunday. The combination of late nights, alcohol use, fatigue, and speeding explains the spike in weekend fatalities. Distracted driving, particularly texting while behind the wheel, adds another layer of risk.

Why It Matters

“Looking only at raw totals hides the true story,” said a spokesperson for Pegasus Legal Capital LLC. “When you adjust for population, smaller states like Wyoming and South Carolina are actually far more dangerous places to drive than California or Texas. Both sets of numbers matter because one shows the overall burden, and the other shows personal risk.”

About the Study

The analysis draws on the most recent NHTSA crash data (2023) and U.S. Census figures. States were scored by combining both raw fatality totals and per-capita rates for drunk driving, speeding, and seat-belt nonuse. The resulting Combined Risk Score identifies where drivers face the greatest danger.