Louisiana Ranked in Most Dangerous Roads for Drivers List
(Baton Rouge, Louisiana) - New research has revealed that Louisiana ranks 1st among the US states with the most dangerous roads for drivers.
The physical condition of roads and their traffic volume can significantly impact safety. But which state has the riskiest roads?
The team at MarketWatch Guides analyzed data across the country, considering road traffic, surface quality, and the rate of fatal road accidents in each state.
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To assess surface quality, the study used the International Roughness Index (IRI) rating — the lower the rating, the smoother the road. Roads with a rating of 220 or above are considered rough and tend to be more dangerous.
Top 10 States with the Most Dangerous Roads
| Rank | State | Annual Miles Driven per 100,000 System Miles | Percentage of Rough Roads (IRI > 220) | Fatal Injuries per 100,000 Licensed Drivers | Road Danger Score (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana | 85,686 | 6.3% | 38.4 | 7.55 |
| 2 | California | 173,113 | 12.4% | 20.2 | 7.21 |
| 3 | New Mexico | 37,183 | 8.2% | 48.4 | 6.74 |
| 4 | Hawaii | 227,431 | 9.1% | 13.9 | 6.73 |
| 5 | Delaware | 150,167 | 3.4% | 28.2 | 6.67 |
| 6 | New Jersey | 194,121 | 9.5% | 11.3 | 6.53 |
| 7 | Mississippi | 51,391 | 3.5% | 54.5 | 6.47 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 110,247 | 2.1% | 32.5 | 6.39 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 154,753 | 14.6% | 9.5 | 6.33 |
| 10 | Maryland | 174,212 | 7.7% | 13.5 | 6.26 |
| 10 | Texas | 89,958 | 3.1% | 32.5 | 6.26 |
Louisiana tops the list with a road danger score of 7.55 out of 10, primarily due to its high fatal injury rate of 38.4 per 100,000 licensed drivers. The state sees significant road usage, with 85,686 miles driven per 100,000 system miles annually. This heavy usage may contribute to the poor road quality, as 6.3% of its roads are classified as rough, with an IRI score above 220.
California is second on the list, scoring 7.21 out of 10, largely due to the poor quality of its roads. According to IRI standards, over 12% of California's roads are deemed rough. Although its fatal injury rate is lower than Louisiana's at 20.2 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the state's high road usage of 173,113 miles driven per 100,000 system miles contributes to substantial road danger.
New Mexico ranks third with a road danger score of 6.74 out of 10. Despite having the lowest road usage among the top three states, New Mexico's high fatality rate — the second highest out of the top 10 — places it among the most dangerous for drivers. Additionally, over 8% of the state's roads have an IRI score of more than 220, indicating poor quality.
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