Memphis Crowned America's Deadliest City for Car Accidents

A shocking new study reveals that Memphis, Tennessee, has the highest rate of fatal car crashes in the United States, with nearly triple the national average.

Memphis, Tennessee has emerged as the most dangerous city in the country for car accidents, according to a comprehensive study by the ConsumerAffairs research team. Utilizing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and Crash Report Sampling System, the study ranked cities and states based on the number of car crashes per 100,000 people.

Memphis topped the list of 195 U.S. cities analyzed, with an alarming 207 deadly car crashes in 2022, resulting in a staggering 33.33 fatalities per 100,000. This figure is nearly three times higher than the national average of 11.77 per 100,000 people.

ConsumerAffairs noted that this startling statistic comes as no surprise, considering that Memphis was also ranked as the city with the worst drivers in America in the platform's previous study. The city's high accident rate may be attributed to a combination of factors, including reckless driving, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of effective traffic enforcement.

Following Memphis on the list of most dangerous cities for car accidents are Daytona Beach, Florida; Ocala, Florida; Macon, Georgia; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Albany, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; Tucson, Arizona; and St. Louis, Missouri.

While Memphis had the highest rate of fatal crashes per 100,000, it ranked sixth for the total number of deadly crashes in 2022. Los Angeles topped that list with a staggering 341 fatalities, followed by Houston, Phoenix, New York City, and Dallas.

On the other end of the spectrum, Reading, Pennsylvania, emerged as the city with the lowest rate of car crashes in 2022, with a mere 1.05 accidents per 100,000 people. Reading was among four cities that recorded only one fatal car accident for the entire year, along with Passaic, New Jersey; Ames, Iowa; and Iowa City, Iowa.

New York City, despite its massive population of over 8 million, ranked relatively low for crashes per 100,000. The city recorded 228 deadly accidents, which, while being the fourth highest in the nation, is a relatively low figure considering the city's size and dense traffic conditions.

ConsumerAffairs strongly recommends that drivers prioritize safety by obtaining comprehensive car insurance and an auto warranty. Most car insurance packages cover car damage and injuries sustained in an accident. By taking these precautionary measures, drivers can mitigate the financial and personal consequences of being involved in a car crash.