Every day on Arkansas roads, we hear about a serious car accident or tractor-trailer wreck that causes someone's injury or death. But just how bad is it? To put it into perspective, Arkansas ranked fourth in motor vehicle fatality rates across the United States in 2022, according to a study by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI).
ACHI partnered with the Arkansas State Police and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to make these findings available and develop targeted interventions to make our roads safer. The goal of this study is to identify key risk factors and demographic trends and to reduce the state's alarming fatality rates.
Why did Arkansas rank so high for roadway fatalities?
Between 2016 and 2022, the state saw 4,089 fatalities on its roadways, as reported by the NHTSA. The majority of victims (2,865) were male, while 1,222 were female. The fatalities included pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and motorists, with rural areas experiencing a disproportionate share of these tragedies.
ACHI Director of Health Policy Craig Wilson attributed this to the state's predominantly rural landscape. "Because we're a mainly rural state and you see more traffic fatalities in rural areas, we typically run higher in our fatality rate than the nation as a whole," Wilson said.
Additionally, age-specific data revealed stark trends. The highest number of fatalities occurred among individuals aged 65 and older, accounting for 745 deaths. Those aged 25 to 34 ranked second, with 714 deaths, while individuals under 19 had the lowest fatality count at 300.
Poor driving habits
The study also revealed an alarming spike in fatalities during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 691 deaths reported in 2021 alone. According to Wilson, aggressive driving and speeding contributed to this increase. Younger, less experienced drivers appeared to play a key role, as older populations stayed off the roads more during the pandemic.
Pedestrians at risk
Pedestrian fatalities also surged, particularly during the holidays and other high-level periods. ACHI reported 459 pedestrian deaths between 2016 and 2022, with Black individuals disproportionately affected relative to their population size.
Lack of seatbelt use
The lack of seatbelt use was also a factor, with 1,528 of the total fatalities involving individuals who were not wearing seatbelts. That's despite a national increase in seatbelt usage from 14% in 1983 to 91.9% in 2023.
McDaniel Law Firm fights for crash victims
These numbers show that the risk of serious or fatal car accidents is widespread in Arkansas, impacting drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. Addressing these risks requires more than just data; it calls for action from individuals, communities, and policymakers. When drivers fail to exercise care or when systemic issues like poor infrastructure and enforcement contribute to crashes, victims and their families are left to pick up the pieces.
If you were injured or a loved one died in a car accident in Arkansas, you deserve justice and fair compensation for your losses. When the insurance companies try to dictate the outcome of your claim, the attorneys at McDaniel Law Firm, PLC stand ready to fight back. With decades of experience, our Jonesboro car accident lawyers have helped crash victims and their families get back on the path to recovery.
Don’t wait to seek help if you were injured in a car accident. Contact us online or by phone for a free consultation to learn your legal rights and options. You may be entitled to compensation, but you need to act fast so you don't miss important legal deadlines.
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