These 5 states had the most traffic deaths in 2025. If you live in one of them, you could be on a crash course with higher insurance premiums

But it’s not all smooth roads, since a handful of states still account for a disproportionate share of deadly crashes. And if you live in one of them, those risks can follow you straight to your car insurance bill.

Here’s a closer look at the five states with the most traffic deaths in 2025, and why it matters for your wallet.

California: More drivers, more danger?

California tops the list for total traffic deaths.

The biggest contributors are speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving, especially in urban communities like Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area (2).

Even though California has shared in the nationwide decline in fatalities so far this year, its sheer volume of vehicles keeps it at the top of the list.

That risk shows up in insurance costs, since California drivers pay some of the highest premiums in the country, with average full-coverage policies costing on average $2,848 a year, according to data from Quadrant Information Services reported by Forbes (3).

Florida: Tourists, traffic and trouble

Florida consistently ranks near the top for deadly crashes.

The state’s roads are typically packed with tourists, retirees and commuters, which means more congestion and higher chances for accidents. With aggressive driving, distracted drivers and one of the highest rates of uninsured motorists in the country, there’s a crash every 44 seconds in Florida according to the state’s DMV (4).

Fatal crash rates in Florida remain among the highest nationwide, even as national numbers improve.

For drivers, that can mean sticker shock at renewal time. Florida auto insurance premiums are among the most expensive in the U.S. at around $3,536 a year — boosted up by high claim volumes, medical costs and litigation tied to accidents (3).

Georgia: Rural road risks

Georgia lands in the top tier because of the dangerous mix of fast-moving highways and busy urban roads.

Outside major cities, long rural stretches contribute to deadly and high-speed crashes. Inside cities like Atlanta, pedestrians are more likely to be the ones impacted (5).

Georgia’s fatality count remains high despite safety campaigns and enforcement efforts.

Insurance costs in the state are around $2,410, not too far off from the national average of roughly $2,126, but accident trends along with severe weather and rising repair costs have kept upward pressure on premiums for many drivers (3).

Texas: Unlicensed drivers are risky

Texas has some of the longest highways and fastest speed limits in the country, and those play a role in its traffic death totals (6). But one factor stands out more than most: a high number of crashes involving unlicensed drivers (7).

State data show that some fatal crashes in Texas involve drivers who haven’t been legally cleared to be behind the wheel. When that’s combined with speeding and rapid sprawl in cities like Houston and Dallas, the result is some of the nation’s deadliest streets.

Texas drivers typically pay slightly more than the national average for car insurance at around $2,226 (3).

North Carolina: Lower rates, growing concerns

North Carolina may not be as large as California or Texas, but it still lands among the states with the most traffic deaths.

Many fatal crashes happen on rural roads, where higher speeds and fewer safety features can turn mistakes into tragedies. Impaired and distracted driving are persistent issues across the state (8).

Right now, North Carolina drivers benefit from lower than average insurance, at around $1,412.

Why traffic deaths can raise your insurance bill

Even with traffic fatalities declining across the country, insurers don’t price policies based on national averages. They look at what’s happening where you live.