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New Data Shows Where Breaking Traffic Laws Is Most Likely to Turn Deadly — New Mexico Tops the List
By Headlines Team A new analysis has revealed the U.S. states where ignoring traffic laws carries the greatest risk of fatal consequences — and New Mexico ranks as the most dangerous by a striking margin.
The study, conducted by the Simmrin Law Group, examined five years of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and scored each state on three high-risk behaviours: distracted driving, speeding, and dangerous intersection crashes. Each category was assigned a weighted score for a total possible 100-point “traffic violation fatality score.”
The results show major geographic disparities — and highlight how certain types of risky behaviour are driving fatal crashes in different parts of the country.
New Mexico: The Most Dangerous State for Traffic Law Violators
New Mexico earned a troubling 87 out of 100, the highest fatality-risk score in the nation.
Here’s how the state performed across the three metrics:
Distracted driving crashes: 7.24 per 100,000 residents (30/30)
Speeding crashes: 6.70 per 100,000 (30/35)
Intersection fatalities: 3.96 per 100,000 (27/35)
The state’s perfect score in distracted-driving deaths — many tied to mobile phone use — played a major role in its overall ranking.
South Carolina and Louisiana Follow Behind
South Carolina ranked second with a score of 64/100, driven primarily by the nation’s highest speeding-death rate (7.85 per 100,000).
Louisiana, in third place with 56/100, showed elevated risks across all three categories, especially distracted driving.
A spokesperson for Simmrin Law Group said the findings reflect long-standing enforcement and behavioural challenges:
“States struggling with distracted phone use, chronic speeding, and reckless intersection behaviour are seeing the most fatal consequences. Where enforcement is weaker, crash severity increases. Prioritising stronger penalties, more visible policing, and tech-driven enforcement could dramatically reduce these deaths.”
The Rest of the Top 10 Most Dangerous States
4. Arizona — 55/100
Strongly impacted by intersection-related fatal crashes.
5. Wyoming — 53/100
One of the country’s highest speeding-fatality rates.
6. Missouri — 52/100
7. Montana — 51/100
8. Delaware — 47.2/100
9. Kansas — 47/100
10. Florida — 46/100
While these states differ demographically and geographically, each shows patterns of high-risk driving behaviour — particularly speeding and poor intersection compliance.
Why This Matters
Traffic fatality trends increasingly reflect behavioural patterns shaped by digital habits and driving culture:
Mobile-phone distraction is now a leading cause of severe crashes.
Speeding-related deaths have surged since 2020.
Intersection crashes are climbing in states where enforcement is inconsistent.
The study’s authors say stronger public awareness campaigns and tougher enforcement could reduce preventable deaths — especially in states topping the list.
Full Ranking (Top 10)
RankStateScore /1001New Mexico872South Carolina643Louisiana564Arizona555Wyoming536Missouri527Montana518Delaware47.29Kansas4710Florida46
Methodology
The analysis examined NHTSA crash data from 2019–2023, scoring each state across:
Distracted driving deaths (max 30 points)
Speeding-related deaths (max 35 points)
Intersection-related deaths (max 35 points)
Scores were totalled to produce a 100-point fatality-risk index.
What the Findings Reveal About America’s Changing Driving Habits
While the rankings spotlight the most dangerous states, the study also reflects broader national trends in how Americans drive — and where risk is rising fastest.
Over the past five years, NHTSA data shows:
Distracted driving fatalities have increased, with mobile-phone use remaining a primary factor.
Speeding-related deaths surged during and after the pandemic, as emptier roads encouraged faster driving and habits …read more
Source:: Social Media Explorer
