The Top 3 States With the Most Fatal Winter Crashes Have Some of the Highest Speed Limits
Alex Healey
· 3 min read
A recent study has shown that the states with the most fatal winter crashes are Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This is surprising because the Southeast is accustomed to fairly mild winters.
However, these places get a lot of rain during winter months, and they also have some of the nation’s highest speed limits.
Read on to learn more about the study, and discover a few
winter driving tips
to help keep you safe this holiday season.One of the smartest things you can do to prepare for winter is find a robust
car insurance
policy, and protect yourself financially in the event of an accident. Compare quotes with Jerry
to find the best coverage for the lowest rate.
What does the winter driving study show?
Researchers at Jerry studied 15 years’ worth of crash data to find the number of fatal winter crashes per 100,000 residents for every state. The three most dangerous states for winter driving are:
- Mississippi (72.57)
- Alabama (61.08)
- Louisiana (56.10)
For context, the safest state for winter driving is Massachusetts, with 16.84 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents.
In addition to rainy winters, the southeastern states also have high speed limits. Mississippi averages 61 mph (70 on rural interstates), Alabama averages 59 mph (70 on rural interstates), and Louisiana averages 62 mph (75 on rural interstates).
The national average for all roads is 58 mph and Massachusetts, the safest winter driving state, has an average speed limit of just 56 mph (65 on rural interstates).
These high speeds found in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana are likely contributing to a significant number of fatal winter crashes, because too many drivers ignore the fact that they are intended for ideal driving conditions.
In other words, a highway with a maximum speed limit of 70 mph is safe at that speed when the road surface is dry, but as soon as it rains or snows, drivers must slow down to compensate for longer stopping distances.
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How to stay safe when driving this winter
First of all, ensure your car is sufficiently winterized. Schedule a winter maintenance check-up for your car’s tires, radiator, oil, brakes, exhaust system, heater/defroster, wipers and ignition system.
If your area regularly experiences temperatures below 40, invest in a set of winter tires. Many insurance companies will reward you with a discount for taking this safety measure.
SafeMotorist.com
explains that the keys to safe winter driving are slow speeds, gentle braking, and increased following distances.If the road is wet, stay at least three car lengths behind the car in front. Start slowing down three times sooner than you normally would when stopping or approaching a turn.
There is no “safe” speed in wet or snowy conditions, so drive extremely slowly until you have a feel for how much traction your tires are getting. In snow, don’t go any quicker than half the posted speed limit.
