A comprehensive new study by Drafahl Law Firm reveals that Memphis, Tennessee, has the highest fatal crash rate among all U.S. cities with populations over 125,000, recording approximately 24 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually. The study, which analyzed a decade of federal crash data, found that fatal motor vehicle crashes have increased by 25% nationwide, with over 380,000 lives lost between 2014 and 2023.
The research calculated yearly fatal crash rates per capita for 231 cities across the country, providing critical insights into which communities face the greatest road safety challenges.
Key Findings
Most Dangerous Cities: Memphis topped the list with 23.98 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents - and a staggering 156% increase in fatal crashes over the study period. Rounding out the top five most dangerous cities were Jackson, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Birmingham, Alabama; and Macon, Georgia.
A notable pattern emerged: 72% of cities with the highest fatal crash rates are located in the South, while no Northeastern cities appeared in the top rankings.
Safest Cities: Cary, North Carolina, recorded the lowest fatal crash rate at just 1.27 per 100,000 residents. Boston, Massachusetts (3.17), and New York City (2.61) also ranked among the safest, with researchers noting that dense urban populations and robust public transit systems likely contribute to their lower fatality rates.
Large Metropolitan Areas: Among cities with populations exceeding one million, Dallas, Texas, recorded the highest fatal crash rate at 13.92 per 100,000 residents, followed closely by Phoenix, Arizona (13.87). New York City had the lowest rate among major metros at 2.61.
Alarming Trends
Six cities saw their fatal crash totals at least double during the 10-year study period:
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Little Rock, Arkansas (+183%)
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Tucson, Arizona (+176%)
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Macon, Georgia (+157%)
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Memphis, Tennessee (+156%)
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Knoxville, Tennessee (+100%)
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Albuquerque, New Mexico (+100%)
Methodology
The study utilized data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and U.S. Census population estimates. Researchers analyzed all cities with at least 125,000 residents, calculating annual fatal crash rates per 100,000 people to allow for meaningful comparisons across communities of different sizes.
About Drafahl Law Firm
Drafahl Law Firm is a St. Louis-based personal injury law firm dedicated to representing individuals and families affected by car accidents, truck accidents, brain injuries, and wrongful death. With a track record of millions recovered for clients and over 100 five-star Google reviews, the firm provides compassionate advocacy and aggressive representation.
The full study, including interactive maps and complete city rankings, is available at: https://www.drafahl-law.com/which-cities-have-the-highest-fatal-crash-rates/
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