Mississippi Among Top 10 U.S. States With the Most Intersection Deaths at Night

A new study finds Mississippi ranks tenth nationwide for deadly nighttime intersections.

The research by Missouri-based personal injury law firm, Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, analyzed intersection fatality rates at night across all 50 states between 2019 and 2023, using data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Average annual fatalities per 100,000 residents were calculated to identify where nighttime intersections are most deadly.

Mississippi ranks tenth with 1.46 deaths per 100,000 residents, 24% higher than the national average of 1.18. Between 2019 and 2023, the Magnolia State averaged 43.2 deaths annually among a population of 2,952,854. The deadliest years were 2020, 2022, and 2023, each with 45 fatalities, while the lowest was 2019 with 38.

Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers commented,

“The findings reveal that Mississippi ranks ninth in the nation for nighttime intersection fatalities, with a rate 28% higher than the national average. The state averaged 45.8 deaths annually between 2019 and 2023, with 2021 being the deadliest year at 54 fatalities.

“Nighttime intersection fatalities in Mississippi are often influenced by a combination of impaired driving, speeding, and limited lighting in rural areas. The state’s vast network of rural highways and small-town roadways means drivers frequently encounter poorly lit intersections where visibility and reaction time are reduced.

“The results suggest a need for targeted safety improvements such as better lighting, clearer signage, and increased enforcement during late-night hours. Education campaigns focusing on nighttime driving risks and impaired driving prevention could also play a vital role in reducing these tragic incidents.”

Table for Extended Results: 

The study was conducted by Beck & Beck, Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, an experienced law firm specializing in vehicle accident representation. They handle everything from initial claim evaluation to medical care coordination and aggressive negotiations with insurance companies.

P.S. If using this story, please credit and link to https://becklawmo.com/ 

Methodology

The study analyzed nighttime intersection fatality rates across all 50 U.S. states between 2019 and 2023, using the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Average annual fatalities per 100,000 residents were calculated to identify the states where nighttime intersections are most deadly.

Data Sources: 

• Fatality Data → https://cdan.dot.gov/query
• Research Dataset → https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Kormc6xRws0eJNbScWYomBo3Me_EfqA4bT3HkHfzwOE/edit?gid=0#gid=0