Share →

Whats causes car crashes? Boynton & Boynton Insurance | Automobile Insurance in NJ, PA, & NY
Unfortunately, crashes are a fact of daily driving life. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 32,719 fatalities due to motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2013.

Thankfully, the number of deaths attributed to automobile accidents has seen an almost 25% reduction over the past 10 years.

If you’re like most other drivers, when you pass a crash on the side of the road you’re left wondering what happened. Was someone driving under the influence? Did they skid out on a slippery road? What about this location led to the accident happening? Was someone not paying attention?

Deadly Bad Drivers: What Causes Fatal Crashes Nationwide?

Broken down by state, the map above highlights which single driving behavior led to the highest number of deadly crashes. Failure to stay in the proper lane was the leading cause of fatal crashes in the US from 2009 to 2013. Failure to yield to the right away was the number 1 cause in 6 states.

Deadly Bad Drivers: What Causes Fatal Crashes Nationwide?

The above graphic demonstrates the 5 states most affected by each of the 8 driver behaviors. Arkansas is home to the most deadly reckless drivers, but Indiana saw more deaths from road rage. Wyoming suffers most from drivers drifting out of their assigned lane unintentionally; Delaware was number 1 for deaths resulting from changing lanes unsafely

South Dakota’s statistics show most deaths occur from police chases. Drivers in Mississippi have the most failure to yield right of way deadly accidents. In Montana, failure to obey signs is a problem. And look out while driving in West Virginia, the home of the most deaths for driving on the wrong side of the road.

Deadly Bad Drivers: What Causes Fatal Crashes Nationwide?

Fatal Crash Causes – Driving Drunk Via: Auto Insurance Center

It’s difficult to find a cab or other public transportation in the Western states with the highest rates of drunk driving fatalities. But in the urban areas of Washington D.C., New York, and Boston, the ability to grab a cab or the subway keeps the drunk driving fatalities lower. Utah, where restrictive liquor laws and a large Mormon population of non-drinkers reside, is the exception among the states with the least drunk driving fatalities.

Deadly Bad Drivers: What Causes Fatal Crashes Nationwide?

Fatal Crash Causes – Crosswinds vs Sleet Via: Auto Insurance Center

Speeding is particularly appealing and deadly to drivers moving along the wide open spaces and highways of Montana and Wyoming.

Deadly Bad Drivers: What Causes Fatal Crashes Nationwide?

Fatal Crash Causes – Snow vs Rain Via: Auto Insurance Center

We know that challenging weather conditions increase our risks while driving on roadways. Across the U.S., rain causes more fatal accidents than snow. However, in the snowy Rocky Mountain region of the country in states like Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming, snow causes more fatal vehicle accidents than rain.

Deadly Bad Drivers: What Causes Fatal Crashes Nationwide?

Fatal Crash Causes – Snow vs Fog Via: Auto Insurance Center

When comparing snow versus fog, more fatal crashes are caused by snow across the nation. Not surprisingly, in warm coastal states, fog is a bigger danger.

Most driving incidents can be easily avoided by diving carefully and following traffic rules, but accidents do happen.

If you have any questions about automobile insurance, contact our insurance professionals today.

Automobile Insurance in NJ | Boynton & Boynton

Sources: propertycasualty360.com “9 Deadliest Driving Behaviors by the Numbers“, autoinsurancecenter.com “Deadly Bad Drivers: What Causes Fatal Crashes Nationwide?