41,000 fatalities on U.S. roads last year: Which cities pose the highest risks?
Major factors for these accidents include distractions from phones, speeding, and substance use. Cities like Detroit, Kansas City, and Memphis lead the list of the most hazardous.
This devastating incident is just one among the millions of traffic accidents in the U.S. that claim thousands of lives each year. Preliminary statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that around 41,000 individuals died in traffic accidents in the last year.
Leading causes of these fatal incidents include distractions while driving, excessive speed, and drug and alcohol misuse. In 2022, over 3,300 fatalities resulted from distracted driving alone, according to the safety administration.
“Keep your phone out of reach if you want to stay safe,” advised Sophie Shulman, deputy administrator for the agency, in a previous interview with YSL News. “The consequences can range from receiving a ticket or demerits on your license to the ultimate tragedy—losing your own life or taking another’s in a fatal crash.”
Data on traffic fatalities from federal agencies provide insights into the most dangerous areas for drivers across the country. Forbes Advisor conducted a comparison of the 50 largest U.S. cities to assess the average number of deadly accidents per 100,000 individuals over a five-year timeframe.
As millions of Americans hit the road for the three-day Labor Day weekend, it’s essential to be aware of the cities with the highest risk for both drivers and passengers.
Which cities are the deadliest for motorists?
According to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of the average fatal accident rate from 2017 to 2021, Memphis, Tennessee tops the list as one of the most perilous cities for drivers.
In Memphis, the fatality rate is 25.96 per 100,000 residents, making it the city with the highest number of deadly motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. Following closely are Detroit, Michigan, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, both having high rates of fatal crashes per 100,000 individuals. Tucson, Arizona, and Kansas City, Missouri, complete the top five list.
Texas alone has three out of the top 15 cities recognized for having the most dangerous drivers, as reported by Forbes. These cities are Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston.
Common causes of deadly accidents include impaired driving, distractions, and speeding. In Memphis, the statistics show 7.5 fatal crashes involving drunk drivers for every 100,000 residents. Detroit and Dallas reportedly have similarly high rates of fatal accidents due to driving under the influence.
The 20 cities most hazardous for drivers
When evaluating a five-year average of motor vehicle fatality data, the following cities report the highest rates of fatalities per 100,000 residents:
- Memphis, Tennessee: 25.96 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Detroit, Michigan: 21.47 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Albuquerque, New Mexico: 18.11 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Tucson, Arizona: 17.02 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Kansas City, Missouri: 16.85 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Jacksonville, Florida: 16.23 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Dallas, Texas: 15.77 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Atlanta, Georgia: 15.43 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Tampa, Florida: 15.42 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Louisville, Kentucky: 14.99 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Phoenix, Arizona: 14.59 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Tulsa, Oklahoma: 13.4 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Nashville, Tennessee: 13.4 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Miami, Florida: 13.21 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Indianapolis, Indiana: 13.17 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 12.46 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 12.21 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Fort Worth, Texas: 11.48 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Houston, Texas: 11.36 fatalities per 100,000 residents
- Bakersfield, California: 10.96 fatalities per 100,000 residents
Are traffic deaths declining?
The total miles driven in 2023 reached 67.5 billion, while traffic deaths dropped by 3.6% compared to 2022. Despite this decline, the total number of motor vehicle fatalities has increased over the previous decade. From 2013 to 2023, fatalities from vehicle accidents rose by approximately 25%, according to safety administration statistics.
In 2022, there were more than 3,300 deaths and nearly 290,000 injuries from incidents involving distracted drivers, said Shulman. She mentioned that this figure may be underestimated as individuals often hesitate to confess to phone use prior to a crash, making it challenging for law enforcement to prove.
Regarding distracted driving: Arizona
Incident Report: A truck driver who was distracted by TikTok videos has received a sentence of over 20 years due to a fatal crash.
Update: While traffic deaths in the US have decreased, authorities are urging distracted drivers to ‘put the phone down or face consequences.’
