Michigan is the top state for truckers when it comes to safety. A study by Simplex Group has found that Texas has the worst traffic in the U.S., Rhode Island has the worst infrastructure, but if you’re journey takes you through The Great Lakes State, you can rest a little easier.
Driving a truck often comes with many hazards, which can make some states more dangerous than others. The Simplex Group examined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s data from last year to determine who had the fewest fatal crashes involving large trucks out of all fifty states and found that one stands above them all as the safest for truck drivers. With only 4,842 reported wrecks in 2021 across America related to big rigs, they were able to discover which state topped off their list as having the smallest percentage of deadly collisions per capita.
Michigan is a leader in road safety for truck drivers, with only 4.72% of fatal crashes involving large trucks – the lowest rate in America. The state recorded 1,567 vehicles involved in life-threatening accidents and 74 hazardous big rig crashes over five years – both remarkable figures given its impressive downward trend on road fatalities (-2.9%) and serious injuries (-10.6%).
Vermont came in second on the list with only 5% of its fatal crashes involving a large vehicle. Out of 80 life-threatening car accidents over the last year, only 4 included a commercial semi.
With 5.26% of fatal crashes involving a large truck, Hawaii made number three on the list. While the state recorded 114 vehicles associated with life- endangering crashes on the state’s roads in the last 12 months – only 6 of those incidents involved large trucks.
Coming in at 4th and 5th, Delaware and Massachusetts showed 5.56% and 5.74% of fatal crashes involving big trucks respectively.
Wyoming had an unfortunate distinction last year – out of all the states, it was deemed least-safe for truckers. A shocking 18.97% of fatal vehicle crashes in 12 months involved large trucks traversing through Wyoming roads and highways, making up a total of 33 accidents.
Idaho followed close behind with their truck involvement in life-threatening crashes sitting at 16.33% with 49 out 300 total vehicles involved being trucks over the past year.
Despite their reputation for wide-open roads, Nebraska is surprisingly one of the least safe states for truck drivers. In 2022 alone, a shocking 15.92% (53 trucks out of 333 vehicles) were involved in fatal crashes across the state.
Iowa and North Dakota took fourth and fifth place for least safe roads for truckers with 14.35% and 13.24% of all vehicle crashes involving a large truck in the last 12 months respectively.
Source: CCJ Digital
