It is not unusual to hear about a deadly crash in Mississippi on a daily basis. It seems to be part of life in the state, but you may wonder why are the roadways so deadly?
According to Mississippi Today, there is a combination of factors that lead to Mississippi being the top state for roadway deaths.
Statistics
If you wonder how deadly the roads are, there were 26.27 deaths per 100,000 people in the state in 2016. Compare that to the national average at 13.42, and you can see the problem. The death rate in Mississippi was 20% higher than the next deadliest state.
More sobering, these statistics represent the loss of almost 15,000 lives between 1999 and 2016 or about 11,000 more people than if Mississippi’s fatality rate was the same as the national average.
Reasons
It may be difficult to understand why the roadways are so dangerous, but it comes down to three points. First, this state has a lot of rural roads, which are four times more dangerous than city roads.
Second, people in Mississippi seem to be more likely to take risks than drivers in other states. They will knowingly do things that are dangerous, such as drinking or texting while driving, and ignore proven safety habits, such as wearing a seatbelt.
Lastly, because of the many rural roads and the sprawling roadways in the state, law enforcement is not capable of keeping a presence in every area in which there is a need. So, it is easier for people to drive recklessly and not face punishment.