New Report Reveals the States with the Lowest Motor Vehicle Fatalities in America

While motor vehicle accident fatalities remain one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States, new analysis sheds light on the states performing the best when it comes to road safety.

In 2024, there were 39,345 fatalities on U.S. roads, representing a 3.8% decrease compared to 2023. Traditionally, large states such as California, Texas, and Florida have recorded the highest number of motor vehicle deaths, largely due to their large population sizes and high traffic densities. But what about the other side of the spectrum, the states where fatalities are rare and safety initiatives appear to be working?

This new study from DeMayo Law Offices identifies the states and districts with the lowest motor vehicle fatality rates, focusing specifically on three major risk factors: drunk driving, speeding, and seatbelt nonuse. The findings highlight not only where lives are being saved but also why certain states are succeeding while others continue to struggle.

The Least Accident-Prone States

According to 2023 traffic fatality data, the District of Columbia reported just 44 motor vehicle fatalities, the lowest total in the nation. Small but geographically unique states such as Alaska (60 fatalities) and Vermont (69 fatalities) followed closely behind.

Other low-fatality states included:

• Rhode Island – 71 fatalities

• Hawaii – 93 fatalities

• North Dakota – 106 fatalities

• New Hampshire – 130 fatalities

• Delaware – 135 fatalities

• Maine – 135 fatalities

• South Dakota – 140 fatalities

Interestingly, the Northeast consistently outperformed the South, despite contending with icy winters and older infrastructure. Experts suggest this reflects a combination of strict safety laws, responsive emergency services, and effective public awareness campaigns.

Drunk Driving Remains a Stubborn Factor

Even in states with fewer overall fatalities, drunk driving still accounted for a significant portion of deaths. In D.C., nearly one-third of all fatalities were alcohol-related. Hawaii and Delaware each reported 39 alcohol-related deaths, while states like South Dakota and North Dakota reported 38 apiece.

This suggests that, while small-population states may keep total crash numbers down, alcohol-related crashes remain an ongoing and deeply concerning challenge.

Speeding Fatalities in “Safe” States

The study also revealed that speeding remains a leading contributor to deadly crashes, regardless of population size. Hawaii stood out with 54 of its 93 fatalities (58%) linked to speeding. Rhode Island and Delaware also reported disproportionately high speeding-related deaths, showing that reckless driver behavior undermines broader safety gains.

Seatbelt Use: A Bright Spot

One area of improvement is seatbelt use. The District of Columbia (13 unrestrained fatalities), Alaska (14), and Hawaii (15) reported some of the lowest totals nationwide, suggesting that consistent enforcement and public awareness campaigns are working. States like Rhode Island, Vermont, and Delaware also posted encouragingly low numbers.

Road Quality Matters

Another key insight: road quality and infrastructure correlate with fatality rates. States with stronger road quality rankings, such as South Dakota (#2), Vermont (#5), and North Dakota (#10), also reported fewer traffic deaths. In contrast, states like California (#43), Texas (#33), and Arizona (#39), which rank poorly for road conditions, continue to struggle with high numbers of crashes.

What the Data Means

With nearly 40,000 lives lost in 2024, the U.S. continues to face a public safety crisis on its roads. Yet the experience of low-fatality states shows there are solutions. Better roads, stricter enforcement, robust public education, and emergency response readiness all contribute to saving lives.

“These numbers highlight a clear pattern: fewer crashes don’t necessarily mean safer roads if driver behavior issues like speeding and drunk driving remain unchecked,” the study notes. “But states with better infrastructure and stronger enforcement consistently outperform.”