BALTIMORE, MD—A new study by 5 Star Car Title Loans has named Utah the safest state for drivers in the U.S., while ranking Wyoming as the most dangerous. The report, which analyzed 2023 data on fatalities, crash causes, and road conditions, provides a comprehensive look at the varying risks on America’s roads.
The study used a “Driver Safety Score” from 0 to 100, weighting factors such as motor vehicle fatalities (40% of the score), alcohol-related crashes, speeding incidents, and road quality. Utah topped the list with a perfect score of 100, followed closely by Minnesota (99.8) and New York (98.1). Wyoming ranked last with a score of 37.8, making it the most perilous state for motorists.
Maryland was ranked the 8th safest state in which to drive. In Maryland, the Driver Safety Score is 89.4, ranking it among the top states for road safety. Maryland records 9.8 fatalities per 100,000 residents, with 92.10% seat belt compliance and roads scoring 54.7 for quality. Lastly, Maryland experiences 12.30% of fatal crashes due to harsh weather, demonstrating the impact of behavior and infrastructure on accidents.
According to Bryan Solis, Head of Sales and Strategic Partnership at 5 Star Car Title Loans, the differences between states are stark. “Drivers often don’t realize how much their location affects their safety and insurance costs,” Solis said. “We regularly see customers whose vehicle values and loan terms are influenced by these regional risk factors.”
Top 10 Safest States For Drivers
| Rank | State | Driver Safety Score | Motor Vehicle Fatalities Per 100k Residents | Share Of Fatal Crashes Involving Alcohol | Share Of Fatal Crashes Involving Speeding | Share Of Fatal Crashes Occurred In Harsh Weather Conditions | Seat Belt Use Rate | Road Condition Score |
| 1 | Utah | 100.0 | 7.9 | 23.5% | 31.9% | 11.2% | 92.4% | 92.2 |
| 2 | Minnesota | 99.8 | 7.0 | 27.8% | 28.4% | 15.4% | 94.2% | 99.5 |
| 3 | New York | 98.1 | 5.6 | 19.5% | 31.0% | 19.5% | 94.1% | 36.3 |
| 4 | Florida | 96.7 | 14.2 | 17.4% | 9.8% | 10.3% | 89.4% | 95.4 |
| 5 | New Jersey | 96.6 | 6.3 | 22.3% | 30.2% | 16.6% | 92.9% | 46.7 |
| 6 | Iowa | 91.2 | 11.5 | 24.4% | 22.6% | 14.6% | 96.9% | 72.1 |
| 7 | Nevada | 90.5 | 11.7 | 28.8% | 23.1% | 7.7% | 93.5% | 82.7 |
| 8 | Maryland | 89.4 | 9.8 | 24.4% | 28.8% | 12.3% | 92.1% | 54.7 |
| 9 | Georgia | 88.7 | 14.3 | 18.4% | 20.5% | 13.5% | 87.6% | 94.4 |
| 10 | Illinois | 86.1 | 9.7 | 24.4% | 35.2% | 16.9% | 92.9% | 61.6 |
Utah’s top ranking is attributed to a low fatality rate of just 7.9 deaths per 100,000 residents and excellent road quality, with a score of 92.2 out of 100. “Utah’s success comes from consistent investment in road infrastructure combined with a culture that prioritizes safety,” Solis said, noting the state’s high seat belt compliance rate of 92.4%.
Minnesota, at number two, boasts the lowest fatality rate in the nation at 7.0 deaths per 100,000 residents and the highest seat belt usage at 96.9%. New York, while having a surprisingly poor road condition score of 36.3, ranks third due to an exceptionally low fatality rate of 5.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, the lowest in the country. Solis credits smart traffic management and lower speeds in urban areas for New York’s success.
Top 10 Most Dangerous States For Drivers
| Rank | State | Driver Safety Score | Motor Vehicle Fatalities Per 100k Residents | Share Of Fatal Crashes Involving Alcohol | Share Of Fatal Crashes Involving Speeding | Share Of Fatal Crashes Occurred In Harsh Weather Conditions | Seat Belt Use Rate | Road Condition Score |
| 1 | Wyoming | 37.8 | 24.4 | 24.8% | 44.6% | 23.1% | 81.9% | 79.3 |
| 2 | Montana | 47.4 | 18.2 | 41.3% | 35.7% | 14.3% | 81.1% | 71.9 |
| 3 | Louisiana | 51.8 | 17.6 | 32.5% | 31.0% | 23.6% | 85.6% | 47.6 |
| 4 | Mississippi | 57.3 | 24.9 | 17.4% | 18.8% | 13.2% | 82.2% | 72.3 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 60.4 | 13.2 | 41.7% | 26.0% | 20.8% | 78.5% | 81.5 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 60.7 | 19.2 | 28.4% | 19.2% | 16.4% | 79.7% | 77.4 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 61.5 | 17.4 | 28.3% | 33.4% | 12.3% | 81.2% | 69.6 |
| 8 | South Carolina | 62.4 | 18.8 | 31.7% | 37.9% | 13.7% | 93.2% | 95.0 |
| 9 | New Mexico | 64.7 | 20.4 | 19.9% | 30.3% | 10.7% | 91.5% | 47.9 |
| 10 | Nebraska | 69.0 | 11.2 | 33.0% | 22.3% | 17.0% | 77.3% | 37.0 |
On the other end of the spectrum, Wyoming’s status as the most dangerous state is tied to a high fatality rate of 24.4 per 100,000 residents—more than three times Utah’s rate. Speeding is a major factor, involved in 44.6% of fatal crashes. “Wyoming’s vast distances and rural roads create conditions perfect for high-speed crashes,” Solis warned.
Rounding out the bottom three are Montana (47.4) and Louisiana (51.8). Montana has the highest rate of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes at 41.3%, while Louisiana faces challenges with poor road conditions and a high percentage of fatal crashes linked to extreme weather. Maryland, with a Driver Safety Score of 89.4, ranked as the eighth safest state, with a fatality rate of 9.8 per 100,000 residents and a seat belt compliance rate of 92.1%.
“What’s interesting is that road quality alone doesn’t determine safety,” Solis concluded. “New York ranks third despite poor road conditions because of effective traffic management and lower speeds. For drivers, this means focusing on personal safety habits—wearing seat belts, avoiding alcohol, and adjusting speed for conditions—can significantly reduce risks regardless of where you live.”
Photo via Pixabay
