America’s Deadliest States for Drowsy Driving
Our new study revealed the deadliest states for drowsy driving across America, with Wyoming taking the top spot at more than 20 times the rate of the safest states.
Wyoming ranks as America’s deadliest state for drowsy driving with 7.52 deaths per 100,000registered vehicles, recording 67 fatalities between 2019-2023.
Maine ranks second with 3.29 deaths per 100,000 vehicles and 45 fatalities during the same period.
Texas comes in third with 3.25 deaths per 100,000 vehicles, accounting for 764 total fatalities – the highest raw number of any state.
Researchers at personal injury law firm AutoAccident.com analyzed traffic safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reveal which states have the highest rates of drowsy driving fatalities and identify the deadliest times when these preventable crashes occur.
Deadliest States for Drowsy Drivers
| Rank | State | Fatalities (2019-2023) | Fatalities Per 100k Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 67 | 7.52 |
| 2 | Maine | 45 | 3.29 |
| 3 | Texas | 764 | 3.25 |
| 4 | Colorado | 169 | 3.24 |
| 5 | Alabama | 165 | 3.03 |
| 6 | New Mexico | 52 | 2.72 |
| 7 | Delaware | 12 | 2.70 |
| 8 | Kansas | 57 | 2.31 |
| 9 | Alaska | 14 | 2.06 |
| 10 | Idaho | 38 | 1.85 |
Edward A. Smith, managing attorney at AutoAccident.com, commented on the findings:
“Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving, yet it receives far less attention. The data shows rural states face disproportionate risks, likely due to longer commutes and highway driving conditions where microsleep episodes can be fatal. It’s tragic to see how these people can be your neighbors, parents, and friends, whose lives were cut short by a preventable tragedy. It’s time we start treating drowsy driving with the same seriousness as any other impaired driving.”
The study also revealed critical patterns about when drowsy driving crashes are most likely to occur:
Deadliest Months for Drowsy Driving
| Rank | Month | Fatalities (2019-2023) | % of Total Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June | 367 | 10.91 |
| 2 | September | 329 | 9.78 |
| 3 | July | 326 | 9.69 |
| 4 | August | 317 | 9.43 |
| 5 | May | 290 | 8.62 |
| 6 | October | 287 | 8.53 |
| 7 | November | 271 | 8.06 |
| 8 | April | 259 | 7.70 |
| 9 | March | 253 | 7.52 |
| 10 | December | 232 | 6.90 |
| 11 | January | 230 | 6.84 |
| 12 | February | 202 | 6.01 |
Most Dangerous Hours for Drowsy Driving
| Rank | Hour | Fatalities (2019-2023) | % of Total Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6:00am-6:59am | 277 | 8.24 |
| 2 | 5:00am-5:59am | 225 | 6.69 |
| 3 | 7:00am-7:59am | 218 | 6.48 |
| 4 | 3:00am-3:59am | 184 | 5.47 |
| 5 | 4:00am-4:59am | 172 | 5.11 |
| 6 | 3:00pm-3:59pm | 168 | 5.00 |
| 7 | 2:00am-2:59am | 160 | 4.76 |
| 8 | 4:00pm-4:59pm | 158 | 4.70 |
| 9 | 1:00am-1:59am | 152 | 4.52 |
| 10 | 8:00am-8:59am | 150 | 4.46 |
Essential Drowsy Driving Prevention Tips
Get adequate sleep before long trips – Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep before driving, especially for road trips or early morning commutes. Fatigue impairs reaction time, decision-making, and awareness just as severely as alcohol intoxication.
Recognize the warning signs – If you’re yawning frequently, having trouble keeping your eyes open, drifting between lanes, or can’t remember the last few miles driven, pull over immediately. These are critical signs that you’re too drowsy to drive safely.
Take regular breaks – On long drives, stop every 100 miles or two hours to stretch, walk around, and refresh. If drowsiness persists, find a safe place to nap for 15-20 minutes or switch drivers.
Avoid driving during peak drowsy hours – If possible, avoid driving between 12 AM-6 AM and 2 PM-4 PM, when your body’s circadian rhythm naturally dips and drowsiness peaks.
Safest US States for Drowsy Driving
The study also identified the safest states for drowsy driving:
Wisconsin is the safest state for drowsy driving, with just 0.36 fatalities per 100,000 vehicles and only 21 total deaths over the five-year period.
North Dakota ranks as the second safest state with 0.38 fatalities per 100,000 vehicles and just 4 total deaths.
Florida comes in third with 0.44 fatalities per 100,000 vehicles, recording 86 total deaths despite its large population.
| Rank | State | Fatalities (2019-2023) | Fatalities Per 100k Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | 21 | 0.36 |
| 2 | North Dakota | 4 | 0.38 |
| 3 | Florida | 86 | 0.44 |
| 4 | Iowa | 17 | 0.44 |
| 5 | Nevada | 12 | 0.45 |
| 6 | Connecticut | 13 | 0.46 |
| 7 | New Jersey | 31 | 0.52 |
| 8 | Illinois | 54 | 0.53 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 11 | 0.56 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 55 | 0.63 |
Smith adds:
“At AutoAccident.com, we believe this data serves as a critical wake-up call for drivers nationwide. The staggering disparity between the deadliest and safest states shows that drowsy driving deaths are preventable with the right awareness and precautions.
Understanding the risks, particularly during early morning commutes and summer travel months, allows drivers to make informed decisions about when to drive and when to rest. Whether you’re commuting through rural highways or navigating city streets, recognizing your own fatigue levels is your first line of defense in preventing drowsy driving tragedies.”
Methodology:
This study analyzes the prevalence of drowsy driving across U.S. states by examining road fatalities involving drowsy drivers. All data were sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), which provides comprehensive nationwide data on fatal traffic crashes.
To identify the states with the highest rates of drowsy driving, we collected data on fatal accidents involving drowsy drivers from 2019 to 2023. We then divided each state’s total number of drowsy driving fatalities (from 2019 to 2023) by its number of registered vehicles in 2023.
Additionally, we examined multiple dimensions, including hours of the day, time of day categories, days of the week, and months of the year. In each case, percentages were calculated by dividing the number of fatalities in each time category by the total number of drowsy driving fatalities.