What Makes Wyoming One Of The Riskiest States To Drive?

A study by the insurance website iselect.com rates Wyoming as the fourth most dangerous state to drive in.

The study looked at several factors, including Crash Risk Score, Weather Risk Score, Road Infrastructure Score and Total Danger Score

Mississippi was ranked the most dangerous state to drive, with a Total Danger Score of 56.08. Texas and Tennessee were next in the rankings, followed by Wyoming with a score of 51.66.

The Wyoming Wind Is A Big Factor

Probably not surprisingly, the Wyoming wind was a big factor. According to the report

"Wyoming has a very high average speed limit and frequent high winds. Strong gusts can push vehicles sideways, particularly in exposed areas like highways. High winds can also reduce steering control, increase stopping distances, and cause hazardous debris on roads"

Wyoming had the highest percentage of it's fatal crashes on U.S. Highways in the country at 37 percent according to the report:

Where Fatal Crashes Happen in Wyoming:

State highways: 26%
U.S. highways: 37%
Interstates: 35%
Local streets: 2%

That was a sharp deviation from the national average, with most states recording the highest number of fatal accidents on state highways. In fact the report finds that nationally, 42 percent of all fatal crashes happen on state highways.

The study says Wyoming reported 575 crashes over the past five years. Interstate 80 logged the highest number according to the website:

Rank	Wyoming Roads	Total Crashes
1	I-80	48
2	I-80/US-30	25
3	US-85	17
4	SR-59	15
5	I-80 US-30	12
6	I-90	12
7	I-25	11
8	US-191	11
9	US-16	10
10	US-287	9

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.

Gallery Credit: Joy Greenwald