The most dangerous states to drive in

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS: A previous version of this article incorrectly represented a data set — drivers killed with known BAC (blood alcohol content) — as the proportion of drivers killed in a car crash that had alcohol in their blood. In fact, the data set — which came from IIHS — only refers to the share of drivers killed that were tested for a BAC, and makes no claim about whether these drivers had alcohol in their system.

The number of fatal injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents has dropped significantly over the last 10 years. In 2003, 42,884 were killed in motor vehicle accidents. By 2013, that number dropped to 32,719. While the death rate across the country for 2013 was roughly one out of every 10,000 U.S. residents, the fatality rate varied considerably state by state.

Only Texas had more than 3,000 fatal road accidents. However, after adjusting for population, many states had a significantly higher rate of fatal accidents than Texas. To rank the most dangerous states to drive in, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state by state fatality data from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) along with rural and urban travel data provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA).

States Using the Most Mind-Altering Drugs

With 22.6 roadway fatalities for every 100,000 residents, Montana is the most dangerous state in the country to drive. By contrast, the corresponding rate in Massachusetts is 4.9 fatalities for every 100,000 residents, making it the safest state in the country to drive.

To rank the safest and most dangerous states to drive in, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state by state fatality data from the IIHS along with urban and rural travel data provided by the FHA, each for 2013. The number of fatal roadway deaths was then adjusted for population, noted as fatalities per 100,000 residents. Penalties for alcohol impaired driving by state were provided by WalletHub. Fatal injuries due to vehicle accidents include pedestrian and cyclist fatalities.

Montana also topped the list of states with the worst drivers. Watch the video to see if your state made the list.

These are the most dangerous states to drive in.

1. Montana

> Road deaths per 100,000: 22.6
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 229
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 74%

States with more rural roadways are typically more dangerous than more urban states. In Montana, more than 69% of all vehicle miles driven in 2013 were in rural areas. Correspondingly, 98% of all deadly accidents in the state happened in rural areas. Alcohol-related deaths on Montana roads are much more common in than they are across the country. Of the 101 drivers killed behind the wheel in Montana in 2013, 91% had alcohol in their system, a much larger share than the 72% of the 15,530 American drivers killed the same year. As in many of the states with the highest rate of roadway fatalities, drivers and passengers in Montana are less likely to use a seatbelt. While about 87% of Americans use a seatbelt, only 74% buckle up in Montana.

With 22.6 deaths on the road for every 100,000 state residents in 2013, Montana is the most dangerous state to drive in the country.

2. North Dakota

> Road deaths per 100,000: 20.5
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 148
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 78%

With 20.5 deaths for every 100,000 residents, fatal accidents on the road are nearly twice as common in North Dakota than they are across the country, where the corresponding rate is 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents. As in many of the states with the most dangerous roads, a higher share of deadly accidents in North Dakota is attributable to drunk driving. While nationally, 72% of those killed behind the wheel had been drinking, 87% of North Dakota drivers killed had alcohol in their system. Making matters worse, drivers and passengers in North Dakota are less likely to use a seatbelt. While about 87% of Americans use a seatbelt, only 78% buckle up in North Dakota.

A larger than average share of those killed on North Dakota roadways are in pickup trucks or SUVs. Nationally, SUVs and pickup trucks are involved in about a quarter of all roadway fatalities. In North Dakota, roughly 52% of those killed on the road are in pickups or SUVs.

3. Mississippi

> Road deaths per 100,000: 20.5
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 613
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 74%

With 20.5 deaths on the road for every 100,000 state residents in 2013, Mississippi is the third most dangerous state to drive in the country. As in many of the states with the highest rate of roadway fatalities, drivers and passengers in Mississippi are less likely to use a seatbelt. While about 87% of Americans use a seatbelt, only 74% of vehicle occupants buckle up in Mississippi.

A larger than average share of those killed on Mississippi roadways are occupants of pickup trucks or SUVs. While about a quarter of roadway fatalities are occupants of pickups or SUVs nationally, roughly 40% of those killed on Mississippi roads are in pickups or SUVs. Like many of the states with the highest rates of roadway fatalities, a much larger share of deadly accidents in Mississippi occur in rural areas. Roughly 57% of all vehicle miles traveled in the state are in rural areas, and 85% of all fatal accidents in Mississippi are on rural roads.

States With the Widest Gap Between Rich and Poor

4. West Virginia

> Road deaths per 100,000: 17.9
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 332
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 82%

With 17.9 deaths for every 100,000 residents, fatal accidents on the road are much more common in West Virginia than they are across the country, where the corresponding rate is 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents. Alcohol-related deaths on West Virginia roads are much more common than they are across the country. Of the 180 drivers killed behind the wheel in West Virginia in 2013, 95% had alcohol in their system, a significantly larger share than the 72% of the 15,530 American drivers killed the same year.

Rural roads are more dangerous than urban ones, and the majority of deadly accidents in West Virginia occur in rural areas. As many as 58% of all vehicle miles traveled in West Virginia in 2013 were in rural areas, and 73% of all roadway fatalities in the state happened in a rural area.

5. Oklahoma

> Road deaths per 100,000: 17.6
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 678
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 84%

Bad habits in Oklahoma contribute to bad outcomes. Alcohol-related deaths on the road are much more common in Oklahoma than they are across the country. Of all drivers killed behind the wheel in 2013 in Oklahoma, 91% had alcohol in their blood, a larger share than the 72% of American drivers killed the same year. Making matters worse, vehicle occupants in the Sooner State are less likely to use a seatbelt. While 87% of Americans buckle up, only 84% of Oklahoma passengers and drivers use a seatbelt.

There were 17.6 deaths on the road for every 100,000 state residents in 2013, making Oklahoma one of the most dangerous states to drive in the country.

6. Alabama

> Road deaths per 100,000: 17.6
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 852
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 97%

With 17.6 deaths for every 100,000 residents, fatal accidents on the road are much more common in Alabama than they are across the United States, where the corresponding rate is 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents. Unlike many of the most dangerous states to drive in, however, people in Alabama are relatively responsible on the road. While 87% of Americans use their seatbelt, 97% of vehicle occupants in Alabama buckle up. Additionally, only 55% of drivers killed in 2013 had alcohol in their blood, a smaller share than the corresponding national rate of 72%.

7. Arkansas

> Road deaths per 100,000: 16.3
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 483
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 77%

As in many of the states with the highest rate of roadway fatalities, drivers and passengers in Arkansas are not as likely to observe best practices when in a passenger vehicle. While about 87% of Americans use a seatbelt, only 77% buckle up in Arkansas. Also, alcohol-related deaths on the road are more common in Arkansas than they are across the country. Of all drivers killed behind the wheel in 2013 in Arkansas, 74% had been drinking, a slightly larger share than the 72% of American drivers killed the same year. With 16.3 deaths on the road for every 100,000 state residents in 2013, Arkansas is one of the most dangerous states to drive in in the country.

10 States Where Manufacturing Still Matters

8. South Carolina

> Road deaths per 100,000: 16.1
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 767
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 92%

With 16.1 deaths for every 100,000 residents, fatal accidents on the road are much more common in South Carolina than they are across the country, where the corresponding rate is 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents. As in many of the states with the most dangerous roads, a higher share of deadly accidents in South Carolina is attributable to drunk driving. While nationally, 72% of those killed behind the wheel had been drinking, 82% of South Carolina drivers killed had alcohol in their blood.

Across the country, rural roads are more dangerous than urban ones. While 48% of motor vehicle travel takes place in rural parts of South Carolina, 80% of all fatal accidents in the state occur in rural areas.

9. South Dakota

> Road deaths per 100,000: 16.0
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 135
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 69%

As in many of the states with the highest rates of roadway fatalities, drivers and passengers in South Dakota are less likely to use a seatbelt. While about 87% of Americans use a seatbelt, only 69% South Dakotans buckle up, a smaller share than any state after Idaho. Alcohol related deaths on state roads are much more common than they are across the country. Of all drivers killed behind the wheel in 2013 in South Dakota, 87% had alcohol in their system, a larger share than the 72% of American drivers killed the same year who had been drinking. With 16 deaths on the road for every 100,000 state residents in 2013, South Dakota is one of the most dangerous states in which to drive in the country.

10. Tennessee

> Road deaths per 100,000: 15.3
> Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 995
> Pct. of residents using seatbelt: 85%

With 15.3 deaths for every 100,000 residents, fatal accidents on the road are much more common in Tennessee than they are across the United States, where the corresponding rate is 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents.

A high rate of vehicle-related death typically accompanies a high fatality rate per mile driven. The rates in Tennessee are no exception. While there are an average of 1.11 deaths on American roadways for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled, there are 1.41 deaths in Tennessee for every 100 million vehicle miles.

See how the rest of the states rank:

Most Dangerous States to Drive

MORE ABOUT THE LIST

Many of the most dangerous states to drive in share several characteristics. In an interview with 24/7 Wall St., Russ Rader, a spokesman for the IIHS, explained that the most significant factor that differentiates the safest states from the most dangerous ones is how urban or rural it is. According to Rader, nearly across the board, "rural states have higher fatality rates than urban ones."

In fact, in four out of the five most most dangerous states, well over half of all miles driven in 2013 were in rural areas. By contrast, in 22 of the 25 safest states, less than half of all miles driven were through rural areas. Rader explained that this makes a difference because on rural roads, "speeds are higher and there are more two lane roads (where) risk is greater for head-on collisions." By contrast, in urban areas, "speeds are lower, there's more congestion, and that means that fatal crashes are less likely."

The choices an individual makes as a driver or passenger of a vehicle also matter a great deal. One of the most obvious ways to reduce the likelihood of a fatality in the event of an accident is to buckle up. Seatbelt use tends to be lower in states with the highest rate of roadway fatalities, and the opposite is true in states with the lowest rates of death on the road. Nationwide, about 87% of people use a seatbelt when riding in a passenger vehicle. In 10 of the 15 safest states to drive in, seatbelt use is greater than or equal to the national rate. Conversely, seatbelt use is below the national rate in 12 of the 15 most dangerous states, including Idaho, where only 62% of residents buckle up, the lowest rate of any state in the country.

24/7 Wall St. is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.