Texas Tops Deadly Driving Rankings Amid Distracted Driving Epidemic, Study Finds trickle down effect

According to recent research conducted by ConsumerAffairs using data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), Texas is the most dangerous state to drive in when it comes to fatal accidents. The Lone Star State recorded a staggering 4,068 fatal crashes, resulting in 4,498 deaths in 2021 alone. This alarmingly high number is significantly higher than that of the “safest” state, which only reported 63 driving deaths in 2023. The study also highlighted California, Florida, and Georgia as states with high numbers of fatal crashes, with distracted driving being a major contributing factor. Mississippi was identified as one of the deadliest states for young drivers, with a fatality involvement rate twice as high as the national average. Mark Gruba, representative of AAA of Western and Central New York, joined Austin Westfall to offer advice on how to navigate treacherous winter weather conditions. While overall vehicle fatalities decreased by 4.5% nationwide between January and September 2023, Rhode Island was identified as the safest state to drive in, attributed in part to its stringent driving standards and lower threshold for DUI penalties aimed at younger drivers. Experts suggest that driving while hungover can be equally dangerous as driving after consuming alcohol, and many states with low numbers of crash-related deaths tend to have stricter driving requirements. Vermont, which ranks highly in this category, boasts lower speed limits on most roads compared to national averages.