New Report Reveals the U.S. States Where Breaking Traffic Laws Is Most Likely to Turn Deadly

A new national analysis has identified the U.S. states where ignoring traffic laws is most likely to result in a fatal crash — and New Mexico ranks at the top by a significant margin.

The study, published by the Simmrin Law Group, reviewed five years of fatal crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Researchers created a “traffic violation fatality score” out of 100, based on three deadly driving behaviors: distracted driving, speeding, and dangerous intersection crashes.

The findings paint a clear picture: in several states, simple traffic violations are far more likely to turn deadly than in others.

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New Mexico: The Most Dangerous State for Traffic Violations

New Mexico earned the highest fatality score of 87 out of 100, making it the most dangerous state for anyone who breaks traffic laws.

Breakdown of New Mexico’s crash metrics:

• Distracted driving crashes: 7.24 per 100,000 residents (30/30)

• Speeding crashes: 6.70 per 100,000 (30/35)

• Intersection crashes: 3.96 per 100,000 (27/35)

The state’s perfect score in distracted driving — largely tied to mobile phone use — significantly pushed it to the top of the list.

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South Carolina and Louisiana Close Behind

In second place is South Carolina, with a score of 64/100, driven by the highest speeding death rate in the country at 7.85 fatalities per 100,000 residents.

Louisiana ranks third with 56/100, showing consistently high numbers across all three violation categories.

A spokesperson for Simmrin Law Group says the data highlights a growing problem:

“States struggling with distracted phone use, chronic speeding, and reckless intersection behaviour are seeing the deadliest consequences. Stronger penalties, more visible enforcement, and technology-driven monitoring could help reduce these numbers.”

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Top 10 States Where Violations Are Most Dangerous

4. Arizona — 55/100

5. Wyoming — 53/100

6. Missouri — 52/100

7. Montana — 51/100

8. Delaware — 47.2/100

9. Kansas — 47/100

10. Florida — 46/100

These states vary widely in size, geography, and population — yet all show large numbers of fatalities linked to speeding and poor intersection compliance.

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Why These States Stand Out

The analysis shows several patterns among states with the highest fatality scores:

1. Rural, high-speed road systems

States like New Mexico, Wyoming, and Montana have long stretches of high-speed highways where crashes tend to be more severe.

2. Limited traffic enforcement

Fewer officers or underfunded enforcement often lead to higher rates of extreme speeding and distracted driving.

3. Driver culture

In some states, speeding is culturally normalized — which makes consistent enforcement more difficult.

4. Dangerous intersections

Poor lighting, wide intersection layouts, and lack of camera enforcement contribute to higher red-light-running fatalities.

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America’s Shifting Driving Habits

The study also reflects a growing national problem: driving behaviour is becoming more dangerous.

Over the past five years, NHTSA has reported:

• Rising distracted-driving deaths, driven largely by smartphone use

• A surge in speeding-related fatalities since 2020

• Increasing intersection crashes tied to rushed driving and red-light violations

Experts say these behaviours are heavily influenced by lifestyle pressures, phone habits, and reduced police visibility.

A spokesperson for Simmrin Law Group adds:

“Drivers today face more digital distractions, longer commutes, and more pressure to multitask. Those stresses are contributing to rising fatality numbers, especially where enforcement is stretched thin.”

Even as vehicles become more technologically advanced — with automatic braking, lane assist, and collision alerts — fatal crashes remain high. According to the study’s authors, the problem is driver behavior, not vehicle capability.

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What States Can Do to Reduce These Fatal Violations

The report highlights several strategies that could reduce deadly crashes:

• Stricter penalties for handheld phone use

• Expanded use of red-light and speed-camera programs

• Improved lighting and design at dangerous intersections

• Increased funding for on-the-road enforcement

• Targeted education campaigns for young drivers

Even low-cost, high-visibility interventions — such as digital awareness campaigns — have been shown to lower crash rates.

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Top 10 Traffic Violation Fatality Scores

Rank	State	Score /100
1	New Mexico	87
2	South Carolina	64
3	Louisiana	56
4	Arizona	55
5	Wyoming	53
6	Missouri	52
7	Montana	51
8	Delaware	47.2
9	Kansas	47
10	Florida	46

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Methodology

The study analyzed NHTSA crash data from 2019–2023, scoring each state across:

• Distracted driving deaths (30 points)

• Speeding-related deaths (35 points)

• Intersection-related deaths (35 points)

These were combined to create a 100-point fatality-risk index.