Most car accidents in the US occur on straight roads – is phone distraction to blame?
A new study shows which driving maneuvers are most likely to cause accidents in the U.S. between 2019 and 2023, with straight-ahead driving taking the top spot, raising concerns about phone use behind the wheel.
The study also shows which states had the highest and lowest rates of drivers involved in fatal crashes over the five years, with Mississippi leading the way with 32.39 drivers in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents per year.
“Going straight” is the most common movement before an accident in every state, followed by “turning.”
A new analysis from the law firm of James A. Welcome found that “straight ahead” is the most common driving style before an accident in the United States. Drivers often find a safe place to relax and look at their phone on straight roads, but reduced alertness can have deadly consequences.
States with the highest rates of drivers involved in fatal crashes (2019-2024):
| position | Condition | Drivers in fatal accidents | Population (2024) | Drivers with fatal accidents per 100,000 inhabitants per year | Most common movement before the accident |
| 1 | Mississippi | 4,761 | 2,939,690 | 32.39 | Go straight |
| 2 | Wyoming | 833 | 584,057 | 28.52 | Go straight |
| 3 | New Mexico | 3,005 | 2,114,371 | 28.42 | Go straight |
| 4 | South Carolina | 7,550 | 5,373,555 | 10/28 | Go straight |
| 5 | Arkansas | 4,274 | 3,067,732 | 27.86 | Go straight |
According to the data, Mississippi ranks first among all states with 32.39 drivers involved in fatal crashes annually between 2019 and 2024 per 100,000 residents. This rate is more than four times higher than the lowest-ranking state.
Mississippi drivers were most likely to be involved in straight-line accidents. 2,591 such incidents were recorded during the study period.
Wyoming ranked second with 28.52 drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually. Despite having the lowest population in the country at just 584,057 residents, the state recorded 833 drivers involved in fatal accidents over the five years.
As in most states, the main movement before the accident was “going straight” (219 cases), followed by “taking a turn” (150 cases).
With a rate of 28.42 drivers involved in fatal crashes annually per 100,000 residents, New Mexico ranks third. The state recorded 3,005 drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2019 and 2024, 1,852 of which were driving immediately before the collision.
This southwestern state’s rural roads and high speed limits may contribute to its high ranking.
South Carolina ranked fourth with 28.10 drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually. The state recorded 7,550 drivers involved in fatal crashes during the study period, 646 of whom were driving immediately before the crash.
In previous studies, South Carolina has consistently been among the states with high traffic fatality rates.
Arkansas rounded out the top five with 27.86 drivers per 100,000 residents involved in fatal crashes per year. The state recorded 4,274 drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2019 and 2024. Of these, 16,528 were driving straight ahead of the collision, followed by 2,732 who turned left.
States with the lowest rates of drivers involved in fatal crashes (2019-2024):
| position | Condition | Drivers in fatal accidents | Population (2024) | Drivers with fatal accidents per 100,000 inhabitants per year | Most common movement before the accident |
| 1 | Massachusetts | 2,583 | 7,001,399 | 7.38 | Go straight |
| 2 | new York | 7,364 | 19,571,216 | 7.53 | Go straight |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 417 | 1,095,962 | 7.61 | Go straight |
| 4 | Hawaii | 669 | 1,435,138 | 9.32 | Go straight |
| 5 | New Jersey | 4,442 | 9,290,841 | 9.56 | Go straight |
Massachusetts had the lowest rate, with just 7.38 drivers per 100,000 residents involved in fatal crashes annually.
Despite having a population of more than 7 million, the state recorded only 2,583 drivers involved in fatal accidents over the five years. As in other states, the majority of drivers were traveling in a straight line (3,191 cases) before the accidents occurred.
New York had the second lowest rate, with 7.53 fatal accidents per 100,000 residents per year.
With New York being the state’s fourth-largest city with nearly 19.6 million residents, 7,364 drivers were involved in fatal accidents between 2019 and 2024. The state’s extensive public transportation offerings and slower speeds in densely populated urban areas likely contribute to its low ranking.
Rhode Island, the smallest state by area, ranked third from last with 7.61 drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents per year. The state recorded just 417 drivers involved in fatal crashes during the study period, 1,033 of which occurred immediately before the collision.
Hawaii had the fourth lowest rate, with 9.32 drivers per 100,000 residents involved in fatal crashes annually. The island nation recorded 669 drivers involved in fatal accidents between 2019 and 2024. Hawaii’s limited road network and generally slower speeds could contribute to lower death rates.
With 9.56 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents per year, New Jersey ranks as the fifth lowest rate state.
Despite a population of more than 9.29 million people, the state recorded 4,442 drivers involved in fatal accidents over the five years.
New Jersey’s dense road network, strict traffic enforcement, and proximity to major urban centers with public transportation likely contribute to the lower rates.
The analysis revealed several interesting patterns that go beyond the rankings. Across all states, “going straight” was consistently the most common pre-crash maneuver, followed by “turning” in most states.
This suggests that most fatal accidents occur under normal driving conditions and not during complex maneuvers.
“The data clearly shows regional patterns in accidental death rates, with southern and western states generally having higher rates than those in the Northeast,” said an expert at the law firm James A. Welcome.
“It is particularly surprising that the vast majority of fatal accidents occur in everyday driving situations such as driving straight ahead or cornering, and not during more complex maneuvers.”
“This suggests that factors such as speed, road conditions and driver alertness significantly influence the outcome of accidents. “Drivers must remain vigilant even in seemingly simple driving situations, as these are responsible for the majority of fatal accidents nationwide,” the spokesman added.
The study also found that states with higher population densities and more developed public transportation systems generally had fewer drivers involved in fatal crashes.
The five states with the lowest fares are in the Northeast, where population density is higher and public transportation is more available.
methodology
This study analyzes NHTSA data to determine which type of vehicle movement is associated with the most crashes in each state.
Fuente: https:// Welcome Law Firm. com – https://cdan.dot. gov /query