Between 2018 and 2020, there were 1,786 reported incidents of fatal accidents in Oklahoma. MoneyGeek analyzed these deadly accidents occurring on 696 roads in the state’s 238,754 miles of road to find the deadliest roads in Oklahoma. Additionally, we explored factors that contributed to these crashes, including driving behaviors — like drunk driving, speeding and distracted driving — and environmental factors — like time of the year and seasonal changes. Our analysis also found rates of fatal accidents in every county in Oklahoma and identified the deadliest roads in each.
Key Findings
- US-62 from N. Highland Dr. to N. Midwest Blvd. is Oklahoma’s deadliest stretch of road. Between 2018–2020, 15 fatal accidents occurred here.
- The most significant contributing factors to fatal accidents in Oklahoma are drunk driving and speeding. Drunk driving was connected to 26.2% of deadly crashes, while 22.3% involved speeding.
- Distracted driving was a factor in just 8.6% of deadly accidents. However, MoneyGeek’s distracted driving study ranked Oklahoma as the twelfth-worst state for distracted driving deaths in the U.S.
- July had the highest number of crashes of any month between 2018–2020. During that period, 189 fatal accidents occurred. June and October were the next-most deadly months, each having 177 recorded incidents.
- Oklahoma County had the most fatal accidents of any county in the state. The majority of these accidents happened on I-40.
10 Deadliest Road Stretches in Oklahoma
- DEADLIEST ROAD IN OKLAHOMANE 23rd St. (US-62) from N. Highland Dr. to N. Midwest Blvd.Oklahoma City | Midwest City
- Fatal Accidents:15
- fatalities:17
- Crashes Per Mile:3.2
- distance:4.7 miles
- Crosstown Expressway (I-40) from S. MacArthur Blvd. to Exit 148COklahoma City
- Fatal Accidents:8
- fatalities:11
- Crashes Per Mile:1.9
- distance:4.2 miles
- I-35 from Exit 124B to Exit 130Oklahoma City
- Fatal Accidents:7
- fatalities:7
- Crashes Per Mile:1.5
- distance:4.6 miles
- I-40 from Exit 115 to Exit 123El Reno
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:9
- Crashes Per Mile:1.4
- distance:4.1 miles
- I-40 from 155B to Exit 159BOklahoma City | Midwest City | Del City
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:6
- Crashes Per Mile:1.6
- distance:3.7 miles
- I-40 from Exit 104 to N2560 Rd.Hinton
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:6
- Crashes Per Mile:1.2
- distance:4.9 miles
- I-44 from Exit 224 to Exit 222BTulsa
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:6
- Crashes Per Mile:2.3
- distance:2.6 miles
- SR-3 from East Dr. to Springbrook Dr.Oklahoma City
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:6
- Crashes Per Mile:1.3
- distance:4.6 miles
- SR-4 from Southwest 24th St. to E. SW 89th St.Oklahoma City | Mustang
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:6
- Crashes Per Mile:1.3
- distance:4.6 miles
- US-377 from Cameron Dr. to EW125.5 Rd.Seminole
- Fatal Accidents:5
- fatalities:8
- Crashes Per Mile:1.0
- distance:4.8 miles
Drunk Driving Involved in 26% of Fatal Accidents
Between 2018 and 2020, 468 out of 1,786 deadly crashes recorded in Oklahoma involved drunk driving. That’s more than any other contributing factor we analyzed, including distracted driving, speeding and winter driving.
You're considered legally drunk in Oklahoma if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.08%. However, even the slightest amount of alcohol in your system can impair your driving abilities. For example, having about two alcoholic drinks raises your BAC to 0.02%; this level of intoxication makes keeping your eyes on a moving target difficult, which is essential when you’re behind the wheel.
Not all incidents result in fatalities, but the consequences of drunk driving are long-term and expensive. Your driving privileges may be restricted, your license may be suspended, and you may even serve jail time. A DUI on your record may also make finding affordable car insurance in Oklahoma challenging.
Speeding Is a Factor in 22% of Fatal Crashes
MoneyGeek’s study found that speeding was a factor in 398 deadly Oklahoma crashes from 2018 to 2020. According to the National Safety Council, speeding-related deaths increased by 19% in the U.S. in 2020.
Driving beyond the speed limit doesn't leave you time to respond to a hazardous situation appropriately. If you’re speeding, you’ll need more time to stop your vehicle safely; if you get into an accident, speeding increases the force of impact. This can lead to more severe injuries and, in the worst-case scenario, death.
Distracted Driving Contributed to 9% of Fatal Accidents
In Oklahoma, 153 fatal accidents from 2018 to 2020 involved distracted driving — 8.6% of all deadly crashes. While this number is relatively low compared to fatal accidents involving drunk driving and speeding, MoneyGeek's distracted driving study found that Oklahoma had the No.12 highest rate of distracted driving deaths in the country. In 2015, Oklahoma became the 46th state to prohibit drivers from texting while behind the wheel.
July Had More Fatal Accidents Than Any Other Month
MoneyGeek’s study also determined when fatal accidents most often occurred between 2018 and 2020. Our results showed that July had the highest number of deadly crashes of any month at 189, making up 10.6% of all fatal accidents in Oklahoma in this three-year period. June and October had the second-highest numbers of accidents, each with 177 incidents.
Driving Safely Protects You, Others and Your Wallet
Practicing safe driving doesn't just save you and your passengers' lives — it also helps you save money. Having coverage is essential in Oklahoma. You won't be permitted to drive if you don't have an insurance policy. An affordable full coverage auto insurance policy can usually best protect you, your loved ones and your assets in the event of an accident.
The average cost of car insurance in Oklahoma is $1,299 per year. However, rates may vary depending on where you live. For example, the cost of car insurance in Oklahoma City, the most populous city in the state, is $1,285 annually. In comparison, expect to spend around $1,313 for auto insurance in Tulsa. That’s a difference of $28.
Remember, these sample premiums are averages based on different driver profiles. Your premium may differ due to your personal details, such as your driving history and age. Comparing quotes from multiple providers is the best way to find the cheapest auto insurance company for you.
Fatal Accidents and Most Dangerous Roads: County Breakdown
MoneyGeek's study found that the five counties with the most deadly crashes between 2018 and 2020 contributed 582 out of all reported incidents in Oklahoma. That's 33% of all accidents resulting in fatalities. Oklahoma County had the most deadly crashes out of all counties in the state, with 228. Most of these involved speeding and drunk driving and happened along I-40.
Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) database using fatality data from 2018, 2019 and 2020. Currently, 2020 is the latest data available in the system.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Impaired Driving: Get the Facts." Accessed July 7, 2022.
- Federal Highway Administration. "Highway Statistics Series." Accessed November 1, 2021.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)." Accessed July 1, 2022.
- National Safety Council. "Speeding." Accessed July 7, 2022.
- Oklahoma Transportation. "Texting While Driving Ban." Accessed July 7, 2022.