Study Finds That Wyoming Is the Most Dangerous State for Truckers

Wyoming is the most dangerous state for truck drivers, according to a new study by Simplex, a premier transportation service offering comprehensive trucking company compliance solutions.

Simplex analyzed the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and found that out of all the fatal crashes in the United States in 2020, Wyoming had the highest percentage of fatal crashes involving large trucks.

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According to data from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, there were 113 fatal crashes in Wyoming in 2020, 20 of which involved commercial vehicles.

Of those commercial vehicle-related fatal crashes, half occurred on Wyoming's interstates -- seven on Interstate 80, two on Interstate 25, and one on Interstate 90.

Three of Wyoming's neighbors also ranked among the 10 most dangerous states for truckers.

Idaho ranked second, with a 16.33% truck-involved fatal crash rate, Nebraska ranked third, with a 15.92% truck-involved fatal crash rate, and South Dakota ranked sixth, with a 12.57% truck-involved fatal crash rate.

Michigan ranked the safest state for truckers, with 4.72% of its fatal crashes involving large trucks, followed by Vermont, Hawaii, Delaware, and Massachusetts.

“This research offers an interesting insight into which states are lagging behind the goal of making roads safer for truck drivers," a Simplex spokesperson said. "It also highlights the need for these states to consider implementing more truck-safe road systems for drivers."

“According to the NHTSA, there are thousands of fatal crashes involving large trucks every year, so this study could alert truck drivers to better prepare when journeying in these particular states," they added.

2022's Deadliest Wyoming County by Traffic Deaths

While car crashes can occur anywhere, some roads in Wyoming are more dangerous than others.

According to Wyoming Highway Patrol data, there were 117 fatal crashes in the Cowboy State in 2022 resulting in 133 deaths.

Of those fatal crashes, the majority (13.68%) occurred in Laramie County -- two in January, one in February, one in March, two in April, one in June, two in July, three in August, two in September, one in November, and one in December.

Sweetwater County saw the second most fatal crashes last year, 12, while Fremont and Lincoln counties each saw 10.

Albany and Park counties each recorded eight, and Campbell, Converse, and Natrona counties each tallied seven.

The deadliest 2022 crash in Laramie County took place on June 17 when two semis collided on Interstate 80 east of Cheyenne and immediately became engulfed in flames killing both drivers and a passenger.

Laramie County also saw two fatal crashes involving motorcyclists, two fatal crashes involving juveniles, and a fatal crash involving a pedestrian last year.

Below is the Wyoming Highway Patrol narrative of every fatal crash that occurred in Laramie County in 2022.

Source: Study Finds That Wyoming Is the Most Dangerous State for Truckers