Mississippi Ranks Highest in Fatal Crash Rates for 2023, Massachusetts Lowest
A new analysis of federal data by online tire retailer Priority Tire reveals that Mississippi had the highest rate of fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2023, with 24.9 per 100,000 residents. This figure is more than double the national average of 9.6 fatal crashes per 100,000 people. The state recorded 732 fatal crashes, a 4% increase from 2022. Following Mississippi, Wyoming ranked second with 24.7 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents (144 total crashes, a 7% increase), and New Mexico was third at 20.7. In contrast, Massachusetts was identified as the safest state for drivers, reporting the lowest fatal crash rate at 4.9 per 100,000 residents, a 21% decrease from the previous year. New York followed with 5.7, while Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Hawaii each had a rate of 6.5. The study, based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, compared the number of fatal crashes to each state's population. 
