Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death for adults and children in the United States.

Some states have a higher risk of being involved in a fatal car accident than others. Newsweek created a map showing the states most dangerous for drivers, using data collected by Forbes Advisor.

Forbes Advisor analyzed five key metrics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including the number of car crash fatalities per capita, the total number of people killed in car crashes per capita, the percentage change in car crash fatalities from 2020 to 2021, and the percentage of fatalities caused by careless driving.

Each indicator was given an individual weight to calculate a score for each condition, scaled to 100.

Many of the states where driving is most dangerous have vast, rural highways that wind through mountain passes, such as those in Montana.

In 2023, Montana and South Carolina continued to be the two most dangerous states for drivers. Speeding accounts for more than a third of fatal crashes in both states, but drunk or reckless driving contributed to nearly 90% of Montana’s fatal traffic crashes. Montana has a higher than average number of fatal crashes and deaths per capita.

New Mexico and Wyoming are close behind. Roads become dangerous in winter, when snow and ice combine with speed limits to often lead to fatalities.

Texas rounds out the top five as the most dangerous state for distracted driving, with drunk drivers responsible for 91% of fatal crashes. Texans are also the most aggressive drivers in the country, which may be a factor in a 16% increase in fatal collisions in the state.

These states have the highest mortality rates, due to factors such as the condition of rural roads, increased rates of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and lower rates of wearing seat belts.

Car accident statistics show how common collisions are on U.S. roads.

According to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 41,000 people died in road accidents last year.

According to Forbes Advisor, there were 42,514 fatal car accidents on U.S. roads in 2022.

Rural driving conditions play a significant role in these statistics, as rural road accidents are typically more dangerous compared to urban environments. States like New Jersey and Nebraska are among the safest states to drive in.

It’s important to note, however, that fatal crashes in the Garden State are up 19% year over year. Speeding and drunk driving were factors in 82% of those fatal crashes, up from 56% last year, according to Forbes Advisor.

New Jersey drivers are more likely to wear seat belts, and strict driving laws for new drivers make the state’s roads the safest in the country.

Right behind it is Maine, one of the three states with the highest road safety rates, with a 7% reduction in per capita fatalities.

Rhode Island and Utah round out the list of safest states for drivers.

A U.S. Department of Transportation spokesman said: Newsweek:“The U.S. Department of Transportation is committed to addressing the crisis of serious injuries and fatalities on our nation’s highways, roads and streets. In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Strategy was developed to address the crisis and help reduce roadway fatalities.

“In addition to creating the NRSS, in November 2021, President Biden passed bipartisan infrastructure legislation that includes more than $5 billion for the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which provides funding to cities and states to improve roadway designs and make roads safer.

“DOT is encouraged that traffic fatalities have been declining for the past two years, but even with the steady decline in roadway fatalities, the number remains far too high. A disproportionate number of people die in rural and underserved areas or while walking or biking, and DOT is working tirelessly to address this problem by engaging stakeholders across the spectrum and investing in road safety improvements and vehicle technology such as automatic emergency braking.”

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