Speeding deaths in 2024: The safest & most dangerous states (Forbes)

Speeding-related crashes are far too common in the United States, accounting for 11,258 of the 38,824 auto crash fatalities in 2020.

With speeding resulting in increased stopping distances, reduced effectiveness of protective equipment and greater crash force, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that fast drivers cause 29% of all deadly accidents. These lead-footed motorists are responsible for an average of 30 deaths daily and one death hourly throughout the U.S.

Risks aren’t shared equally, though. Data analyzed by Forbes Advisor revealed the safest and most dangerous states when it comes to speeding-related crashes.

While Texas boasts the highest speed limit in the country of 85 miles per hour on certain roads and Hawaii’s maximum speed limit is just 60 mph, both of these states are on the list of locales with the most speeding-related deaths.

South Carolina, however, tops this list, with close to half of all crashes in the state resulting from excessive speed. The state has almost twice as many fatalities attributed to this cause than Florida, which boasts the lowest number of these types of crashes nationwide.

It’s important to note, though, that just because a state has a low number of speeding-related crashes does not necessarily mean its roads are safe. While Florida has the lowest number of speeding-related deaths, it has the third highest number of crash fatalities overall.

Because of this, it is a good idea for motorists to look at the car crash statistics where they live in order to determine their total crash risk.

Speeding is undoubtedly dangerous, but it is one of many high-risk behaviors on the road, along with distracted and impaired driving.

For more information and to see what the research shows, visit the Forbes website.