Study finds Kentucky has third-highest rate of rain-related crashes
A recent study ranks Kentucky as being the third-most dangerous state to drive in while it’s raining.
A recent study by SafeWise, a national safety organization, has found that Kentucky is one of the most dangerous states to drive in when it’s raining. As the Louisville Courier Journal reports, the study ranked Kentucky third in the nation for states with the most fatal motor vehicle accidents when it is raining. While Ohio did not rank as one of the ten most dangerous states for driving in the rain, it is worth pointing out that it does rank in the top ten for the most overall fatal traffic accidents.
Kentucky dangerous for driving in the rain
The SafeWise study used 2016 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and compared it to meteorological data to determine how many crashes occurred during inclement weather. In total, Kentucky had 67 fatal accidents that occurred in the rain in 2016, which was a rate of 1.51 rain-related fatal accidents per 100,000 people. That was the third-highest rate in the nation.
Arkansas ranked as the most dangerous state for driving in the rain, with 1.65 accidents per 100,000 people. Mississippi, meanwhile, came second, with 1.54 crashes per 100,000 people. Overall, the study found that 2,800 people died in crashes across the country in 2016 due to either rain or snow. With fall and winter on the way, it’s important for drivers throughout the region to be extra careful on the roads, especially in bad weather.
Ohio has high number of fatalities
Ohioans may not want to take too much pride in the fact that the SafeWise study didn’t rank them as one of the ten worst states for driving in the rain. As The Morning Journal reports, last year 1,179 people died in traffic accidents in the Buckeye State, which is four percent higher from the year before. Furthermore, Ohio has the seventh-most fatal motor vehicle accidents in the country.
Clearly, both Kentucky and Ohio can be dangerous to drive in. Motorists should remember to routinely check their tires, wipers, fluids, indicators, and lights. Furthermore, it is important to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles on the road, especially when road conditions may be slippery. Wearing a seatbelt can also dramatically increase one’s chances of survival. Finally, it should go without saying, but driving while impaired or distracted is not only illegal but extremely dangerous.
Personal injury law
Anybody who has been hurt in an accident on the road should talk to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. In many cases, victims of car accidents have a right to pursue compensation, but making a claim can be difficult and complicated. A personal injury attorney will be able to effectively represent clients both in court and when negotiating with insurers. With such representation, accident victims stand a much higher chance of receiving the compensation they may be entitled to.
