While driving responsibly should help minimize your risk of a Missouri car accident, research suggests that driving defensively is just as important. A recent study shows that Missouri’s drivers are among the nation’s most dangerous, and this means enhanced accident risks for everyone who shares the road with them.
According to KQTV, a study conducted by Forbes Advisor shows that Missouri now has the fourth-most-dangerous drivers in the nation. Many of these dangerous drivers practice the same risky driving behaviors.
How often fatal crashes occur in Missouri
At the national level, fatal car wrecks have increased by 7% since 2019. Yet, in northwest Missouri alone, fatal car wrecks rose 45% between 2019 and 2021, with 31 deaths in 2019 and 45 in 2021. This raises questions about what might be contributing to the uptick. As of early December 2022, there were also 32 fatal crashes that took place in northwest Missouri and 934 road deaths took place statewide.
What contributes to fatal and nonfatal crashes in Missouri
Several factors are contributing to the increase in fatal car accidents in Missouri. Speeding is a major one, with many Missouri motorists exceeding the speed limit on state roads. Distracted driving, too, continues to cause accidents and claim lives, and in-vehicle cellphone use continues to be a top cause of driver distraction. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is also a frequent factor in fatal and nonfatal Missouri car crashes.
Whether 2022’s Missouri fatal crash numbers are going to exceed those seen in 2021 is not yet clear. What is clear, however, is that Missouri ranks too high on the list of dangerous drivers, and that safety advocates and law enforcement officials must take action as a result.