You may love living in Mississippi, but there’s no way to sugarcoat the news: This state is at the absolute bottom of the pack when it comes to road safety.
The study, which was compiled by researchers at WalletHub, aimed to look at the livability of each state. In general, the results weren’t particularly complimentary to Mississippi — but they were particularly dismal when it came to the state’s roads.
What factors does the study consider?
If you spend any time on the state’s roads at all, you probably already have a good idea about the problems, but the study considered a multitude of factors, including:
- The quality of the roads themselves (how well maintained they are — or aren’t)
- The number of uninsured drivers in the state (who can leave victims of wrecks without adequate compensation for their losses)
- The number of drunk driving arrests (which speaks to overall driving safety)
- The number of motorist fatalities per 100 million miles of travel
- The number of fatal accidents involving either pedestrians or bicyclists
Lest anyone think that the study isn’t on the right track, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) just released a report that indicates that there was a 20% increase in fatalities in the state during the first part of 2021. According to a spokesman from the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the blame may largely fall with drivers who are guilty of speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving and failing to wear seatbelts.
Ultimately, this information means that drivers in this state need to be especially careful. Dangers abound. If you are in a collision caused by another driver, make sure that you take immediate steps to protect your right to compensation for expenses and damages.
