Mississippi – Fatal Car Crash Statistics

Mississippi - Fatal Car Crash Statistics

The nation had 32,166 fatal accidents in 2015 and a total of 35,092 deaths as a result. The number of fatalities per 100,000 people is 10.9 nationwide. On average, there are 1.13 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled on roadways. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) provides annual reports detailing the information provided on fatal accidents to the U.S. Department of Transportation. These reports are useful in learning more about fatal crashes so that more can be done to help prevent them.

In Mississippi, there was a total of 604 fatal crashes and 677 deaths in 2015. This represents 22.6 deaths per 100,000 people. That number is the second highest in the country. Only Wyoming had more fatalities. The deaths per 100 million miles traveled figure was 1.70, the highest behind South Carolina and Montana.

More Statistics

In Mississippi, 58% of fatalities on the roads in 2015 were caused by single-vehicle crashes while 42% were the result of accidents in which there were multiple vehicles. When an accident occurs with a single vehicle it could likely mean that the driver lost control, could have been distracted, may have been driving while intoxicated or under some other type of impairment or may have been speeding.

Only 80% of drivers reportedly wear their seatbelts. Of the deadly crashes, 17% were in urban locations while 83% were in rural areas of the state. The report indicates that of the fatalities, 39% were in cars, 41% pickup trucks or SUVs, 3% large trucks, 5% motorcycles, 9% pedestrians and 1% bicyclists.

State Programs

There are programs in place to educate the public and provide information to help reduce accidents and deaths on the roads. Toward Zero Deaths is part of a nationwide initiative to reduce highway fatalities. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) oversees the program, and it is part of the state’s strategic highway safety plan to keep roads safe. They partner with a number of governmental and other organizations across the state.

Some important data provided from the program include the fact that 26% of fatal accidents involve alcohol. When people were killed in crashes, 2 out of 3 were not wearing their seatbelt. The leading cause of death among teenagers is a car accident. The Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and move over when they see flashing lights of an emergency vehicle. This includes when the vehicle is on the roadside.

Distracted driving continues to be a concern and is a contributing factor in some accidents. Mississippi encourages drivers of all ages to take the safe driving pledge. It states that the driver will not talk on the phone or text while behind the wheel of a vehicle. Drivers pledge to help keep others from using their phones as well.


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