ISP releases names of people involved in fatal accident in Wilton

In 2022, more than 42,000 Americans died in car accidents, making these accidents one of the leading causes of death in the United States

These deaths occurred in more than 39,000 crashes this year – about one crash for every 10,000 Americans, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But in some cities the streets are even deadlier.

The Truck Parking Club used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to rank the 25 cities with the highest crash rates, measured as crashes per 100,000 residents in 2022. Only cities with at least 10 fatal accidents and 20,000 residents were included in the analysis. Cities without available Census Bureau population estimates were not included.

The number of fatal car accidents declined over several decades as federal and state governments enacted safety regulations for vehicle manufacturers and occupants. However, rates increased in 2020 and 2021, with alcohol and speeding-related deaths increasing. As COVID-19 restrictions reduced the number of cars on the road, many drivers developed risky driving behavior that continued even as traffic returned to normal. Even though death tolls have fallen in 2022, they are still higher than they have been in over a decade.

Almost all of the 25 cities with the most fatal accidents were in the southeast. Most were smaller towns: over half had fewer than 50,000 residents, while only three had more than 100,000 residents. They also tended to be far from major cities. Geographic hazards exist in most areas, including hilly terrain, winding rivers and dense forests. Almost all have some form of waterfront – rivers, lakes, shorelines and the like – which are likely to distract motorists enjoying the view.

About half of the cities with the highest death rates listed here are in Georgia – almost half of them are in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Although these can be considered suburbs of Atlanta, most are far from downtown. Few of these are connected to Atlanta’s public transportation system, meaning anyone commuting to the city will almost certainly make at least part of their trip by car. Additionally, according to a 2024 Forbes analysis, Atlanta is one of the worst cities to drive in by population. These factors increase the risk of accidents.

Overall, Georgia ranks 14th in traffic fatalities per capita. Data from the Georgia Department of Transportation suggests this is due to speeding, aggressive driving and people not wearing seatbelts. Efforts are underway to minimize traffic fatalities in Georgia. The state Department of Transportation received a $2.5 million grant to mitigate and reduce crashes, fund car seat distribution, crash data analysis and educational efforts for drivers 55 and older. Emory University and Grady Health System in Atlanta also received $4.4 million to investigate crashes in the metro area and research ways to reduce crashes.

Still, Georgia isn’t the whole story. Most U.S. regions had cities that ranked high in traffic fatalities. Read on to find out where.