Reckless Driving Death Rate Highest in Montana
Analysis of federal crash data also shows that the rate of road fatalities tied to careless and reckless driving is lowest in the states of Virginia and New York.
Photo of Whitefish, Mont., by Royalbroil via Wikimedia Commons.
Photo of Whitefish, Mont., by Royalbroil via Wikimedia Commons.
An analysis of U.S. fatal crash data from 2005-2015 reveals that Montana had the highest rate of road deaths caused by careless and reckless driving during that period, according to the Auto Insurance Center.
The center’s analysis was based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Researchers blamed Montana’s higher fatality rate primarily on a lack of seat belt use, speeding, and alcohol impairment.
During the 10-year period, Montana had 108 fatalities attributed to careless and reckless driving per 100,000 residents, according to the Auto Insurance Center’s research based on FARS data. Arkansas was the next state with the highest rate of road deaths tied to such dangerous driving behavior (86 fatalities per 100,000 residents).
Which states had the lowest rate of deaths caused by careless and reckless driving?
Virginia (1.42 fatalities per 100,000 residents), New York (2.01), Indiana (2.14), and California (2.84) fared the best.
For more details about the research, click here.
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