A new study reveals that Colorado has the third-highest rate of fatal crashes involving unlicensed drivers in the United States.
The study by Florida-based Personal Injury lawyer Blakeley Law Firm analyzed fatal crash data involving unlicensed drivers from 2019 to 2023 across the U.S. states, via the NHTSA database. Using population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the study calculated fatal crash rates per 100,000 residents to determine the states with the highest crash risks.
Colorado ranked third with an average fatal crash rate involving unlicensed drivers of 2.04 incidents per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average of 0.95 by 115%. With a population of 5,814,712, the state saw an average of 118 fatal crashes involving unlicensed drivers each year from 2019 to 2023. The state peaked in 2021 with 143 fatal incidents, while 2019 recorded the lowest (92).
Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Blakeley Law Firm commented:
“This analysis sheds light on the alarming frequency of fatal crashes involving unlicensed drivers across the U.S. states. Colorado has the third-highest fatal crash rate, often disrupting families and communities alike. Each accident represents more than a statistic; it reflects real lives affected by injury, loss, and long-term consequences.
“The high rates in these areas underscore systemic issues such as inadequate driver licensing enforcement, insufficient traffic safety education, and a lack of targeted safety measures to prevent unlicensed individuals from operating vehicles.
“To protect residents and reduce these dangerous incidents, it is crucial for policymakers and local authorities to prioritize investments in driver licensing programs, implement robust public awareness campaigns, and strengthen traffic law enforcement to keep unlicensed drivers off the roads.”
Table of Extended Results:
| Top 10 States With the Highest Fatal Crashes Involving Unlicensed Drivers | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Average Fatal Crashes Involving Unlicensed Drivers per 100,000 Residents | Rank |
| Mississippi | 4.44 | 1 |
| Texas | 2.55 | 2 |
| Colorado | 2.04 | 3 |
| Louisiana | 1.86 | 4 |
| Alabama | 1.84 | 5 |
| Oklahoma | 1.69 | 6 |
| Oregon | 1.61 | 7 |
| Montana | 1.60 | 8 |
| Arizona | 1.44 | 9 |
| Nevada | 1.36 | 10 |
The study was conducted by Blakeley Law Firm, a personal injury law firm representing clients injured in motor vehicle accidents or those who have lost loved ones due to negligence. The firm focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Methodology
The research analyzed fatal crash data involving unlicensed drivers from 2019 to 2023 across the U.S. states, via the NHTSA database. Using population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the study calculated fatal crash rates per 100,000 residents to determine the states with the highest crash risks.
Data Source:
- Fatal Crash Data: https://cdan.dot.gov/query/
- Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_B3w1R3Ymdoe79DqTr3nZHSQOnrd201nBQPZGNlNRek/edit?gid=0#gid=0
- Study By: www.floridainjuryadvocate.com/
