About 675 people die annually on Mississippi highways. Older drivers are less likely to die on the roads than younger drivers. Across the United States, approximately 30,000 people die in automobile accidents yearly.
Drivers with the highest death rate
Drivers between the age of 20 and 24 have the highest death rate from motor vehicle accidents. They are followed by those between the ages of 25 and 29. Then, the number of deaths per 100,000 people continues to decline until people turn 50, and there is a minor spike until people turn 60. After another decline, the number of people between 70 and 75 who die in motor vehicle accidents is the second highest, surpassing teen drivers.
Older drivers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more people in the United States continue to drive for longer. From 2010 to 2020, the number of licensed drivers over 65 rose by 38%. Meanwhile, the number of licensed drivers in the United States rose only by 3%. About 76% of fatalities involving an older driver occurred during daylight, compared to 46% for all age groups. Furthermore, 69% of the accidents with older drivers occurred on weekdays compared to 59% for all age groups. Finally, 66% of accidents involving older drivers involved more than one vehicle, compared to 44% for all age groups.
Initial contact point
Regardless of age, about 60% of all drivers dying in motor vehicle accidents had the front of their car hit first. About 10% of drivers under 65 who died in car accidents had the left side of their vehicle hit first; that number increased to 16% for drivers over 65.
Drivers between 20 and 29 are most likely to die in car wrecks, followed by drivers between 70 and 75.
