Alabama has obtained the dubious award of fifth most dangerous state for driving, according to a report from al.com, originally published on healthgrove.com. Between 2008 and 2014, Alabama averaged nearly 19 fatalities for every 100,000 residents. That works out to about 900 fatalities a year. The study was based on figures from the Health Indicators Warehouse (a website Developed by the National Center for Health Statistics) and the Center for Disease Control – Motor Vehicle Safety department.

The study points to speed limits as one reason for discrepancies in fatalities. States with lower speed limits which are concentrated in the Northeast and West coast tended to have fewer fatalities. States in the Southeast and Great Plains tend to have higher speed limits and higher fatalities.

This geographic pattern has led to the coining of a new phrase – the “car death belt.” While manufacturers are making cars safer over time, safety improvements cannot come quick enough for the victims and families of car accidents in Alabama. Distracted driving is another leading cause of serious vehicle wrecks. To learn more about distracted driving, check out this page.

As it turns out, fatal car accident not only take a human toll, they also are financially burdensome. In 2013, car accident deaths in Alabama cost families, medical providers, and the state $1.2 billion. According to a report by auto club AAA, each fatal accident costs, on average, $6 million.

The only states that were found to be less safe than Alabama for per capita vehicle fatalities were Mississippi, Montana, Arkansas, and Wyoming. Some of the safest states were New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Illinois, California and Washington State. Massachusetts led the way with only 5.63 car accident fatalities per 100,000 people. As a final positive, the fatality rate decreased 90% from 1925 to 1997.

These statistics should serve as a sobering reminder to drive with caution, especially in situations involving high speed. However, some accidents are unavoidable or not your fault. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or mistake, call our Huntsville car accident attorneys today for a free consultation. For more tips and information on road safety, check out our page on avoiding car accidents.