3 KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Wyoming ranks #1 nationwide with 25.67 fatal drowsy driving crashes per million licensed drivers, followed by Montana (9.51) and Alabama (7.37), highlighting where fatigue-related crashes are most prevalent.
- Western and Southern states dominate the highest-risk rankings, with Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Alabama, Kansas, and Alaska all appearing in the top 10 for fatal drowsy driving crash rates.
- Texas records the highest average annual total with 125.8 fatal drowsy driving crashes, followed by California (38.8) and Colorado (30.6), reflecting the scale of fatigue-related crashes in states with large driving populations.
Drowsy driving remains one of the most underestimated causes of fatal crashes in the United States. Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and can cause drivers to fall asleep behind the wheel, producing consequences comparable to impaired driving. Between 2020 and 2024, the United States recorded an average of nearly 770 fatal drowsy driving crashes every year, equivalent to roughly 15 deadly crashes every week, underscoring the persistent dangers of driving without adequate rest.
The study, conducted by Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, analyzed fatal crashes involving drowsy drivers across all 50 states between 2020 and 2024. Average annual crash totals were calculated using five-year averages and standardized per one million licensed drivers based on average annual licensed driver estimates. States were then ranked from highest to lowest according to their average annual fatal drowsy driving crash rate.
The U.S. States With the Highest Rates of Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes
Table 1: Top 10 States by Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes per Million Licensed Drivers (2020–2024)
| Rank | State | Average Annual Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes | Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes per Million Licensed Drivers |
| 1 | Wyoming | 11.2 | 25.67 |
| 2 | Montana | 8.2 | 9.51 |
| 3 | Alabama | 29.6 | 7.37 |
| 4 | Colorado | 30.6 | 6.89 |
| 5 | Texas | 125.8 | 6.73 |
| 6 | New Mexico | 10.0 | 6.60 |
| 7 | Kansas | 11.4 | 5.75 |
| 8 | Alaska | 2.8 | 5.33 |
| 9 | Maine | 5.4 | 5.08 |
| 10 | Idaho | 6.4 | 4.68 |
Wyoming leads with 25.67 fatal drowsy driving crashes per million licensed drivers, far ahead of other states. Montana and Alabama follow, with Colorado and Texas rounding out the top five. Texas also records the highest annual total at 125.8 crashes, while Colorado averages 30.6, showing fatigue remains a major issue even in larger states.
The U.S. States with the Lowest Rates of Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes
Table 2: Bottom 10 States by Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes per Million Licensed Drivers (2020–2024)
| Rank | State | Average Annual Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes | Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes per Million Licensed Drivers |
| 41 | Nebraska | 2.0 | 1.38 |
| 42 | Michigan | 10.4 | 1.36 |
| 43 | North Carolina | 10.4 | 1.31 |
| 44 | Iowa | 3.0 | 1.28 |
| 45 | Florida | 18.2 | 1.10 |
| 46 | Illinois | 8.6 | 1.01 |
| 47 | New Jersey | 6.2 | 0.94 |
| 48 | New York | 10.4 | 0.85 |
| 49 | Connecticut | 2.2 | 0.85 |
| 50 | Wisconsin | 2.2 | 0.50 |
Wisconsin has the lowest rate at 0.50 per million licensed drivers, followed by New York and Connecticut at 0.85. New Jersey and Illinois also rank low, with Florida not far behind. Wyoming’s rate is over 50 times higher than Wisconsin’s, showing major differences in fatigue-related crash risk.
States Where Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes Increased the Most Between 2020 and 2024
Table 3: States with the Largest Increase in Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes
| Rank | State | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Net Change |
| 1 | New Mexico | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 15 | +8 |
| 2 | Florida | 15 | 13 | 26 | 15 | 22 | +7 |
| 3 | Kentucky | 8 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 14 | +6 |
| 4 | North Carolina | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 16 | +5 |
| 5 | Louisiana | 8 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 12 | +4 |
| 6 | Washington | 5 | 10 | 19 | 9 | 9 | +4 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 2 | 5 | 12 | 10 | 6 | +4 |
New Mexico saw the largest increase, with eight more crashes in 2024 than in 2020. Florida followed with seven additional crashes, and Kentucky added six. North Carolina rose by five, while Louisiana, Washington, and Massachusetts each increased by four, indicating growing concerns in several states.
States Reporting the Highest Average Number of Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes
Table 4: States with the Highest Average Annual Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes (2020–2024)
| Rank | State | Average Annual Fatal Drowsy Driving Crashes |
| 1 | Texas | 125.8 |
| 2 | California | 38.8 |
| 3 | Colorado | 30.6 |
| 4 | Alabama | 29.6 |
| 5 | Virginia | 22.6 |
| 6 | Georgia | 18.8 |
| 7 | Florida | 18.2 |
| 8 | Arizona | 16.4 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 16.0 |
| 10 | Missouri | 14.8 |
Texas leads with 125.8 average annual crashes, far exceeding other states. California and Colorado follow, with Alabama and Virginia completing the top five. While Wyoming has the highest rate, Texas and California account for the most total crashes due to their large driving populations.
Methodology
The study analyzed fatal crashes involving drowsy drivers across all 50 states between 2020 and 2024. Average annual crash totals were calculated using five-year averages and standardized per one million licensed drivers based on average annual licensed driver estimates. States were then ranked from highest to lowest according to their average annual fatal drowsy driving crash rate.
Data Sources
- Drowsy Driving Crash Data:
https://cdan.dot.gov/query - Licensed Drivers Data:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2022/dl1c.cfm
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2023/dl1c.cfm
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2024/dl1c.cfm
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2021/dl1c.cfm
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2020/dl1c.cfm - Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-e0QK4LsWQ-J1nGeddmIfiWtyBq5PvGZFofBw03fvgs/edit?gid=0#gid=0
- Study by:
https://www.floridainjuryadvocate.com/
About Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers is a Florida-based personal injury practice that represents individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents and families affected by wrongful death. The firm handles personal injury and wrongful death claims exclusively, advocating for fair compensation on behalf of its clients.
