A Decade of Data That Will Change How You Drive
Over the course of the last decade, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has collected data revealing striking trends in traffic-related fatalities across the United States. A closer examination of the figures from the ten-year period of 2013 to 2022 uncovers a deeply concerning rise in road fatalities nationwide — one that affects every driver, every family, and every community.
At Riz Injury Law, a personal injury law firm based in Chicago, Illinois, we see firsthand the devastating consequences of road accidents. The data below paints a sobering picture of where American roads stand today — and why advocacy for safer streets has never been more urgent.
The 3 Most Deadly States for Traffic Fatalities
Among all 50 states, Texas, California, and Florida stand out for having both the highest total traffic deaths and the most alarming increases over the decade.
- Texas ranked #1 most deadly with a tragic 38,087 deaths, rising from 3,389 fatalities in 2013 to 4,400 in 2022.
- California ranked #2 most deadly with 37,755 deaths, jumping from 3,107 fatalities in 2013 to 4,428 in 2022.
- Florida ranked #3 most deadly with 31,047 deaths, climbing from 2,403 in 2013 to 3,530 in 2022.
These states collectively account for over 100,000 lives lost on American roads in a single decade — numbers that demand serious attention from lawmakers, safety advocates, and the legal community alike.
How Does Illinois Compare?
Illinois, while also experiencing an upward trend, saw a somewhat less dramatic rise in traffic-related fatalities compared to Texas, California, and Florida. Starting at 991 deaths in 2013, Illinois witnessed a steady increase, peaking at 1,334 in 2021 before slightly decreasing to 1,268 in 2022.
This pattern still represents a deeply concerning growth trajectory. Illinois ranks as the 9th worst state in the country, with a total of 10,920 deaths over the decade. For the attorneys at Riz Injury Law, who work with accident victims in Chicago and throughout Illinois every day, these are not just statistics — they represent real people and real families whose lives have been irreparably changed.
“Amidst the heartbreak of road fatalities, it is our collective responsibility to pursue justice for the victims while aggressively advocating for safer roadways. Each fatality is a grim wake-up call for drivers, emphasizing the critical need for efficient and preemptive strategies to avert similar tragedies in the future,” say the attorneys at Riz Injury Law.
Is Traffic Getting More Deadly?
The FARS data over the past decade unequivocally suggests that traffic is becoming deadlier in the United States. The increasing number of fatalities in states such as Texas, California, and Florida is not just alarming — it indicates a broader, nationwide trend toward higher road deaths.
When charting the statistics between 2013 and 2022, the upward rise in fatality rate becomes visually apparent across all but five states, underscoring the growing peril of driving on America’s roads. Whether you drive in a major metropolitan area like Chicago or a rural stretch of highway, the risk is real and rising.
States with the Most Alarming Increases in Traffic Fatalities
The data reveals a stark reality: several states have experienced traffic fatality increases of over 50% within just a decade. Here are the ten states with the most significant percent changes in traffic-related deaths between 2013 and 2022:
- Oregon experienced the highest percent increase, with traffic fatalities rising by 92.01%, marking the most drastic upsurge among all states.
- Washington followed with a 68.12% increase, underscoring a significant escalation in road deaths.
- Delaware saw a 63.64% increase, signaling a noticeable uptick in traffic-related fatalities for car occupants and vulnerable road users.
- Alaska reported a 60.78% increase, reflecting a significant concern for road safety within the state.
- The District of Columbia noted a 60% increase, a substantial rise that demands immediate attention.
- Colorado experienced a 58.51% increase, indicating a growing trend in road fatalities.
- Nevada saw a 56.39% rise in traffic deaths, pointing to increasing dangers on its roads.
- Wyoming reported a 54.02% increase, showcasing a troubling upsurge in traffic fatalities.
- Arizona observed a 53.36% increase, reinforcing the trend of rising road deaths.
- Georgia rounded out the list with a 52.29% increase in traffic-related fatalities.
States with a 25% to 50% Increase in Traffic Fatalities
The analysis of states experiencing a 25% to 50% increase in traffic-related fatalities between 2013 and 2022 sheds light on a broader, equally concerning issue transcending America’s roadways. These states underscore the nationwide urgency to address road safety at every level of government and enforcement.
- New Mexico witnessed a 49.84% increase, nearly reaching the 50% mark and signaling a dire need for intervention.
- Florida saw a 46.90% increase, highlighting a pressing road safety crisis in a state known for its bustling highways and tourist traffic.
- Utah reported a 45% rise, pointing to significant road safety challenges amid varied terrain and weather conditions.
- South Carolina experienced a 42.63% increase, underscoring a critical situation amid growing population and tourism.
- California reported a 42.52% increase, illustrating a severe issue in a state with some of the highest volumes of road traffic in the country.
- Missouri observed a 39.63% increase, signaling an underlying road safety crisis.
- Virginia noted a 36.22% increase, indicating growing concern in a state with a complex network of highways.
- Tennessee saw a 32.06% upsurge, marking a significant increase in road fatalities.
- Texas posted a 30.07% increase, further emphasizing the critical state of road safety in one of the nation’s largest and most populated states.
- Arkansas experienced a 29.12% rise, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures.
- Ohio with a 28.92% increase, Louisiana at 28.88%, Illinois with 27.95%, and Maine at 26.39% each demonstrate significant upticks in road fatalities calling for immediate action.
- New Jersey’s traffic deaths rose by 26.38%, and North Carolina saw a 26.36% increase, both signaling a rising tide of road safety challenges.
- Connecticut rounds out the list with a 25.52% increase, underlining the nationwide spread of increasing traffic fatalities.
Illinois’s 27.95% increase over the decade is a sobering reminder that Chicago-area drivers are not immune to this national crisis. The attorneys at Riz Injury Law continue to see the real-world impact of this trend in the cases they handle every year.
States with Smaller Increases in Traffic Fatalities
While the larger increases highlighted above are deeply alarming, it is also important to acknowledge the regions where the rise in road deaths has been relatively moderate. States with less than a 25% increase between 2013 and 2022 still account for more than 84,000 lives tragically lost over this ten-year period.
- Massachusetts saw a 23.65% increase — significant, but lower than many other states.
- Maryland reported a 21.29% rise, suggesting some degree of control in road safety outcomes.
- Indiana experienced a 21.05% growth in road deaths.
- Michigan reported an 18.69% increase.
- Kansas observed a 17.14% growth.
- Kentucky saw fatalities rise by 16.61%.
- Alabama witnessed a 15.83% increase, lower than the national average.
- Nebraska experienced a 15.64% rise.
- Minnesota posted a 14.73% increase.
- Mississippi saw a 14.68% rise.
- Hawaii reported a 13.73% increase.
- Vermont saw a 10.14% increase — one of the lower growth rates.
- Wisconsin observed a 9.76% rise.
- New Hampshire saw an 8.15% increase.
- Iowa experienced a 6.62% growth.
- Oklahoma posted one of the smallest increases at 4.72%.
- South Dakota saw a slight increase of just 1.48%.
- Idaho rounds out the list with an almost negligible increase of 0.47%, indicating highly effective road safety measures or other mitigating factors.
States Trending Down: A Glimmer of Hope
The data reflects a notable achievement in road safety within six states, each reporting a decrease in traffic fatalities between 2013 and 2022. This downward trend is significant and worth recognizing amid the nationwide concern over rising road deaths.
- New York demonstrated progress with a -2.25% decrease, highlighting effective measures in one of the most densely populated states.
- Pennsylvania followed with a -2.56% reduction, indicating successful implementation of road safety policies across its mix of urban and rural roads.
- Montana, known for its rural landscapes and higher speed limits, reported a -6.99% decrease.
- Rhode Island, the smallest state by area, showed a remarkable -20% decrease.
- West Virginia reported a -20.48% decrease, underscoring the effectiveness of safety measures in a state with challenging mountainous terrain.
- North Dakota saw the most significant drop of -33.78% in motor vehicle deaths — a compelling testament to the state’s road safety efforts, particularly impressive given its rural expanses and extreme weather conditions.
Putting Decreased Fatalities in Context
While declining fatality numbers in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Montana, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and North Dakota offer a genuine glimmer of optimism, it is crucial to emphasize that each death represents a profound and irreplaceable loss. Even within these positive trends, the numbers still reflect significant human tragedy — serious injuries, grieving families, and thousands of lives annually disrupted by road incidents.
For context: though New York showed a percent decrease between 2013 and 2022, it still ranked 10th in the nation for total road deaths during this period, with nearly 11,000 lives lost. Progress is meaningful, but the scale of the problem remains enormous.
What This Data Means for Illinois Drivers
For drivers in Chicago and throughout Illinois, this data is a call to action. Illinois’s nearly 11,000 road fatalities over the past decade — and a nearly 28% increase in the death rate — reflects a road safety environment that requires vigilance from every driver and accountability from every responsible party when accidents occur.
Distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and dangerous road conditions all contribute to the tragic toll reflected in this data. When negligence causes a crash, injured victims and grieving families deserve aggressive legal representation.
Injured in a Traffic Accident in Illinois? Riz Injury Law Is Here to Help.
If you or a loved one has been injured — or if you have lost a family member — in a car car accidentChicago or anywhere in Illinois, the attorneys at Riz Injury Law are ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial devastation that follows a serious car accident. Our team combines deep knowledge of Illinois personal injury law with a relentless commitment to our clients. We handle cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian injuries, and wrongful death — and we do not collect a fee unless we win your case.
Contact Riz Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us put our experience to work for you.
Data sourced from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, covering the period 2013–2022.
Injured and have questions? The attorneys at Riz Injury Law offer free consultations — call (312) 546-5109.