Just ran across this data - and it is consistent across years (https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/state-data/motor-vehicle-deaths-by-state/).
But the pattern is clear: It is much more dangerous to drive in red states than blue, even when one controls for number of miles driven. I don't know what to make of it. Lower seat belt compliance is one factor. Rural roads, certainly.
But it's weird how clear the pattern is.
Link: https://personalinjurysandiego.org/topics/most-and-least-traffic-fatalities-in-america/
...drive Defensively out there...
Link: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813493
No one is sure why - people might be driving worse since, which will go back to normal soon ( in the same way we had a temporary bump in crime), or it might be an increase in distracted driving.
Freaking cell phones.
...personal note...I'm tootling along at a decent pace on the right of a 4 lane and a guy fills my rear view mirror doing ~80mph...says he was reaching for a soda and didn't see me...thank goodness I'm always checking my "6"...also admitted to CHP being late for a flight...IMO, every accident should require comparison of date/time for the collision with cell phone usage...especially, texting.
I think it will forever be trending up as we do more and more of our daily actions on our phones. Would be interesting if these incidents were growing at a slower percentage before the pandemic than after.
Overall fatalities were plummeting steadily until then. Remarkably so.
It is much, much safer to drive today than it was when we were kids. And the various self-driving cars - though they give me the heebie jeebies - will make it even safer someday.
Link: https://www.valuepenguin.com/car-accident-statistics
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But I guess if it really bothers you that much, don't move to a red state.
The main reason is probably rural roads, which are just more dangerous.
For example, in the Red State of Tennessee (ranked #12 on the linked list), it's worth mentioning that Memphis is ranked the worst city in the nation with its driver safety. Obviously, that's a bright blue city.
In Kentucky, how much of that number is weighted by Louisville? In Alabama, how much of that number is driven by Birmingham and Huntsville?
Probably due to cell phone use, by both drivers and walkers. And there has been an increase in biking fatalities recently.
work to make a legitimate argument.
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How many millions in NYC, Chicago, Boston do not even own a car?
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