Speeding continues to be a deadly problem on U.S. roads, contributing to nearly 28% of all fatal crashes. There were 10,922 speeding-related fatal crashes, making it one of the leading causes of traffic deaths nationwide. Of the drivers killed in these crashes, 33.43% were speeding, and 44% of those drivers were also drunk, making the risks even greater.
These numbers illustrate how the simple act of driving too fast can have devastating consequences, especially when paired with other risky behaviors like impaired driving.
This study breaks down how speeding affects everyone—from drivers to passengers, pedestrians, and even minors. For example, 34% of vehicle occupants and almost 8% of pedestrians killed in crashes were victims of speeding.
Alongside these national insights, we’ve ranked the worst states for speeding-related fatalities using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These findings highlight where the biggest challenges lie in reducing speeding-related fatalities.
Key Findings
- Total Speeding-Related Fatal Crashes: Speeding is a factor in 27.85% of all fatal crashes, accounting for 10,922 deadly incidents on U.S. roads.
- Driver Fatalities: 33.43% of all drivers killed in fatal crashes were speeding at the time, highlighting the significant danger of excessive speed.
- Alcohol and Speeding: 44% of drivers killed in speeding-related crashes were also under the influence of alcohol, combining two deadly risks.
- Occupant Fatalities: 34% of all vehicle occupants killed in fatal crashes were victims of speeding-related incidents, showing how passengers are highly affected.
- Minor Fatalities: 37.25% of minors (ages 0-17) killed in fatal crashes were involved in speeding-related incidents, illustrating the heavy toll on young lives.
- Worst States for Speeding-Related Fatalities: Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Alaska have the highest rates of speeding-related fatalities.
- States with the Most Speeding Tickets: North Dakota, Virginia, and Idaho have the highest percentages of drivers reporting speeding tickets on car insurance applications.
States With the Most and Least Speeding-Related Fatalities
States With the Most Speeding-Related Fatalities
2024 Speeding Statistics in the USA
Speeding Contributes to 27.85% of Fatal Traffic Crashes
In the United States, 27.85% of all fatal traffic crashes are due to speeding. This highlights how excessive speed continues to play a major role in road fatalities across the country.
One-third of Driver Fatalities Involve Speeding
About 33.43% of drivers killed in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the accident. Speeding remains one of the leading causes of driver deaths on American roads.
Nearly Half of Speeding Drivers Were Also Drunk
Shockingly, 44% of drivers killed in speeding-related crashes were also under the influence of alcohol, doubling the danger and fatal consequences.
34% of Vehicle Occupants Die in Speeding-Related Crashes
Speeding doesn’t only put drivers at risk. 34% of all vehicle occupants killed in crashes are victims of speeding, showing the widespread danger speeding poses to everyone in the vehicle.
Almost 8% of Pedestrian Deaths Are Linked to Speeding
Pedestrians are also vulnerable to speeding. 7.78% of pedestrian fatalities are linked to crashes where speeding was a factor, showing how speeding endangers everyone on the road.
Over a Third of Minors Killed in Crashes Involve Speeding
Young lives are especially at risk, with 37.25% of minors (aged 0-17) killed in fatal crashes being victims of speeding.
Top 10 States with the Most Speeding Tickets in 2024
In 2024, North Dakota tops the list, with 8.93% of drivers reporting speeding tickets. Virginia and Idaho follow closely behind, both hovering around 6.5%. Even states like Wyoming and Utah, known for wide open roads, see high rates of violations at 6.35% and 5.98%. Interestingly, Rhode Island, despite its small size and fewer violations (5.75%), faces severe speeding-related fatalities.
Worst States for Speeding-Related Fatalities, 2024
#1. Rhode Island:
Rhode Island ranks #1 in our study, with a final score of 82.39. In Rhode Island, 5.75% of drivers reported receiving speeding tickets on their car insurance applications. This indicates a significant number of drivers being cited for speeding, which aligns with the state's troubling statistics on speeding-related crashes and fatalities.
A significant portion of the state's fatal crashes involve speeding—47.06%, which is nearly half of all fatal crashes. This suggests that speeding plays a major role in road fatalities in Rhode Island.
Drivers themselves are highly impacted, with 44.44% of all drivers killed in crashes being involved in speeding-related accidents. This high percentage shows the dangerous link between speeding and driver fatalities in the state.
For vehicle occupants, 53.33% of those killed were in speeding-related crashes, indicating that passengers face serious risks as well.
Pedestrians are not immune to these risks, with 14.29% of pedestrian fatalities involving speeding vehicles.
Overall, Rhode Island's data highlights a severe speeding problem, significantly affecting drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.
#2. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania takes the #2 spot with a final score of 71.15. The state sees 2.54% of drivers reporting speeding tickets on their car insurance applications. While this percentage is lower compared to other states, it still highlights that speeding violations are present and contribute to the state's road safety issues, particularly in fatal crashes.
However, speeding still plays a significant role in fatal accidents, with 38.19% of all fatal crashes involving speeding. This shows that even with fewer speeding violations, the consequences can be deadly.
Among drivers killed in crashes, 43.86% were involved in speeding-related incidents, highlighting the dangers speeding poses to drivers.
For passengers, 43.05% of occupants killed were in crashes where speeding was a factor, showing that the risks extend beyond just the driver.
Pedestrians face a similar threat, with 17.88% of pedestrian fatalities occurring in speeding-related crashes, indicating a broader risk to road users across the state.
#3. Alaska
Alaska ranks #3 in the study, with a final score of 71.07. In Alaska, 4.94% of drivers have reported speeding tickets on their car insurance applications. This suggests that speeding is a relatively common issue among drivers, contributing to the state's high percentage of speeding-related fatal crashes and fatalities.
Speeding is a factor in 34.67% of all fatal crashes in the state, showing that it plays a significant role in road fatalities.
Among drivers killed, 39.62% were involved in speeding-related crashes, signaling the dangers of speeding on Alaskan roads.
Occupants are also at risk, with 43.28% of passengers killed in crashes involving speeding. This figure shows that passengers in Alaska face serious threats from speeding-related accidents.
Pedestrian fatalities linked to speeding stand at 15.38%, reflecting the broad impact of speeding on all road users, whether in a vehicle or walking.
#4. North Carolina:
North Carolina ranks #4 in the study, with a score of 70.59. About 4.53% of drivers in the state report receiving speeding tickets on car insurance applications, showing that speeding violations are a frequent issue.
Speeding plays a role in 39.87% of all fatal crashes in the state, reflecting its serious impact on road safety. Among drivers killed in accidents, 46.06% were involved in speeding-related crashes, further underscoring the deadly risks for those behind the wheel.
Passengers are also at risk, with 46.62% of those killed in crashes tied to speeding. Pedestrians face danger too, with 10.12% of fatal pedestrian incidents involving speeding vehicles.
North Carolina's numbers highlight how speeding affects not only drivers but passengers and pedestrians as well.
#5. Utah:
Utah comes in at #5 with a score of 69.85. The state has a relatively high 5.98% of drivers reporting speeding violations on insurance applications, suggesting speeding is a common issue.
Speeding is involved in 34.80% of all fatal crashes in Utah, showing it’s a significant factor in road safety. For drivers, 37.81% of fatalities are related to speeding, demonstrating the deadly risks of driving too fast.
Passengers are also heavily impacted, with 40.80% of fatalities in speeding-related incidents. Pedestrians aren’t exempt either, with 13.33% of pedestrian deaths involving speeding vehicles.
#6. Hawaii:
Hawaii ranks #6 in our study with a score of 69.84. 4.37% of drivers report receiving speeding tickets on their car insurance applications, showing that speeding violations are relatively common in the state.
Speeding is a factor in 38.74% of all fatal crashes, making it a significant contributor to road fatalities in Hawaii. Among drivers killed in accidents, 55.38% were involved in speeding-related incidents, which is one of the highest percentages in the study.
For passengers, 55.84% of fatalities occurred in crashes involving speeding, showing that speeding poses severe risks for everyone in the vehicle. Pedestrian fatalities related to speeding are lower, at 3.57%, but still notable.
#7. Oregon:
Oregon ranks #7 with a score of 68.97. A notable 5.89% of drivers in the state have reported speeding tickets on their insurance applications, reflecting a widespread issue with speeding.
Speeding contributes to 34.36% of all fatal crashes in Oregon, showing its serious role in road safety. 41.99% of drivers killed in crashes were involved in speeding-related accidents, pointing to the deadly risks of speeding on the state's roads.
Passengers are also heavily impacted, with 42.95% of occupant fatalities linked to speeding. For pedestrians, 10.57% of fatalities occurred in crashes involving speeding vehicles.
#8. Wyoming:
Wyoming comes in at #8 with a score of 67.29. 6.35% of drivers in the state reported speeding tickets on their car insurance applications, making speeding violations fairly common in this region.
Speeding is involved in 44.92% of all fatal crashes, which is one of the highest rates in the study. For drivers, 46.88% of those killed in crashes were involved in speeding-related incidents, highlighting the severe risk for drivers on Wyoming's roads.
Passengers face similar risks, with 47.62% of fatalities tied to speeding-related crashes. Interestingly, Wyoming reported 0% pedestrian fatalities involving speeding vehicles, indicating fewer incidents involving pedestrians.
#9. New Mexico:
New Mexico ranks #9 in the study, with a score of 66.36. 3.81% of drivers reported speeding violations on their insurance applications, indicating that speeding is less common compared to some other states, but still a concern.
Speeding plays a role in 37.47% of fatal crashes in New Mexico, showing a clear link between speeding and deadly accidents. Among drivers, 47.10% of fatalities are connected to speeding-related incidents, making it a leading factor in driver deaths.
For passengers, 48.37% of fatalities involved speeding, and 7.53% of pedestrian deaths were caused by speeding vehicles.
#10. Illinois:
Illinois rounds out the top ten with a score of 64.98. 2.84% of drivers in the state reported speeding tickets on their car insurance applications, suggesting that while speeding violations are present, they are less frequent compared to other states in the study.
Speeding contributes to 31.65% of fatal crashes, indicating a significant, though slightly lower, involvement of speeding in deadly accidents. For drivers, 34.17% of those killed in crashes were involved in speeding-related incidents, underscoring the dangers of speeding on Illinois roads.
Passengers are also at risk, with 35.82% of occupant fatalities occurring in crashes involving speeding. Pedestrian fatalities related to speeding account for 19.90%, one of the higher percentages in the study.
Methodology
For this study, two primary data sources were used:
- Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
This source provided the most recent available data from 2022. The NHTSA database offers comprehensive statistics on road fatalities and injuries in the United States. For our study, we extracted the following relevant data points:
- Total Fatal Crashes: The total number of fatal road crashes recorded in each state.
- Fatal Crashes Involving Speeding: The number of fatal crashes where speeding was identified as a factor.
- Total Drivers Killed in Crashes: The total number of drivers killed in crashes, regardless of the cause.
- Drivers Killed in Crashes Involving Speeding: The number of drivers who lost their lives in crashes where speeding was involved.
- Speeding-Drunk Drivers Killed in Crashes Involving Speeding: A specific subset of driver fatalities, focusing on those involving both speeding and alcohol impairment.
- Total Occupants Killed in Crashes: The total number of vehicle occupants (including passengers) killed in all crashes.
- Occupants Killed in Crashes Involving Speeding: The number of vehicle occupants who were killed in crashes where speeding was a factor.
- Total Pedestrians Killed in Crashes: The total number of pedestrians who lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes.
- Pedestrians Killed in Crashes Involving Speeding: Pedestrian fatalities that involved vehicles speeding at the time of the crash.
- Insurify (2024 data):
The percentage of drivers with speeding tickets was sourced from Insurify's 2024 data. Insurify is a widely used online platform for comparing car insurance rates, and its database tracks the driving records of millions of Americans, including traffic violations such as speeding tickets.
Key Indicators and Weighting
To rank the worst states for speeding-related fatalities, we selected five key indicators, each weighted equally at 20%. These indicators give a comprehensive view of the impact of speeding on overall road safety:
- Percentage of Drivers with Speeding Tickets: This indicator reflects the percentage of the state's driving population that has received speeding tickets. It provides insight into the prevalence of speeding behavior.
- Percentage of Fatal Crashes Involving Speeding: This indicator measures how often speeding is a factor in fatal crashes. A higher percentage suggests that speeding is a significant cause of fatal accidents in that state.
- Percentage of Drivers Killed in Speeding Crashes: This looks at the proportion of total driver fatalities that occurred in crashes involving speeding, offering insight into the direct impact of speeding on driver safety.
- Percentage of Occupants Killed in Speeding Crashes: This measures the proportion of vehicle occupants (including passengers) who were killed in crashes where speeding was involved. It highlights how dangerous speeding can be not only for drivers but also for passengers.
- Percentage of Pedestrians Killed in Speeding Crashes: This reflects the percentage of pedestrian fatalities that occurred in crashes where speeding was a factor, showing how speeding impacts the safety of individuals outside of vehicles.
Calculation and Scoring
Each state’s performance in the five key indicators was measured and then weighted equally at 20%. The following steps were followed for scoring:
- Data Normalization: To ensure that the data from various indicators are comparable, we normalized each indicator's data. Normalization was done by converting the raw numbers into percentages or rates where applicable, ensuring consistency across the dataset.
- Weighted Score: A weighted score out of 100 was calculated for each state by multiplying the percentage value for each indicator by its 20% weight.
- Ranking: States were then ranked based on their total weighted scores. A higher score indicates a worse performance in managing speeding-related incidents and fatalities, while a lower score suggests a better performance.
Limitations
While this methodology provides a robust framework for assessing speeding-related fatalities and issues across states, there are some limitations:
- State Reporting Variations: Data reporting standards may vary slightly between states, which could introduce inconsistencies in the data.
- External Factors: Factors such as road infrastructure, weather conditions, and traffic density, which can influence the occurrence of speeding-related crashes, were not accounted for in this study.
Latest Data Availability: The study uses the most recent data available from 2022 for fatal crashes and 2024 for speeding tickets. While this provides an up-to-date picture, there may be variations in speeding behavior and traffic enforcement not captured in this timeframe.