Wyoming’s Deadliest Roads and Fatal Accident Statistics

10 Deadliest Road Stretches in Wyoming

Drunk Driving Involved in 31% of Fatal Accidents

Between 2017 and 2019, there were 325 fatal accidents recorded in Wyoming. One hundred of these were related to drunk driving.

It’s never a good idea to get behind the wheel after drinking, no matter how sober you may feel. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.8% means you’re considered legally intoxicated in Wyoming. However, even a BAC of just 0.2% impairs your driving ability.

Even if drunk driving doesn’t result in fatalities, it can lead to other costly consequences. The state may suspend your license and restrict your driving privileges. Worse, you may have to spend time in jail. It also means less affordable car insurance in Wyoming. Drivers with DUIs on their records are required to secure SR-22 insurance in Wyoming. This type of coverage has higher costs than a standard policy.

Speeding Is a Factor in 32% of Fatal Crashes

MoneyGeek’s analysis showed that speeding contributed 105 or 32% of fatal accidents in Wyoming between 2017 and 2019. The effects of speeding are harmful to the driver, their vehicle and the surrounding environment. Speeding decreases the amount of time you have to react to a hazardous situation, such as needing to stop suddenly. It also increases your car’s stopping distance and makes safety structures on the road like guardrails or concrete barriers less effective.

Distracted Driving Contributed to 7% of Fatal Accidents

From 2017 to 2019, Wyoming had 24 fatal accidents involving distracted driving. That’s just 7% of all recorded incidents in the state. MoneyGeek’s worst states for distracted driving study found that the state ranks 25th in the U.S. for distracted driving fatalities.

June Had More Fatal Accidents Than Any Other Month

According to MoneyGeek’s analysis, June had a higher number of deadly crashes than any other month in the year. Based on our findings, 40 fatal accidents occurred during this month — or 12.3% of all crashes resulting in deaths within three years. July and September also had high numbers of accidents, with 37 (11.4%) and 36 (11.1%) deadly crashes, respectively.

Driving Safely Protects You, Others and Your Wallet

When you practice safe driving, you’re protecting yourself, your loved ones and everyone else on Wyoming’s roadways. Cautious driving helps you avoid crashes, which can be dangerous and costly. If you do get into an accident, having affordable full coverage auto insurance is crucial since it protects you and your loved ones against significant financial loss after a crash.

For full coverage, the average cost of car insurance in Wyoming is $851 annually. This annual premium is also how much car insurance in Cheyenne, Wyoming’s largest city, costs. If you live in another part of the state, your insurance rates may vary.

Your address isn’t the only factor insurers consider when setting premiums. Car insurance costs may be higher or lower depending on other elements of your driver profile, such as your age or driving history. Insurance rates also vary between insurers — comparing quotes from several companies can help you find the cheapest insurance option available.

Fatal Accidents and Most Dangerous Roads: County Breakdown

There were 153 fatal crashes in the top-five counties for deadly accidents in the state: that’s about 40% of the total number of recorded incidents in Wyoming.

Of the 23 counties included in MoneyGeek’s study, Laramie had the most recorded fatal crashes at 35. Most of these happened along I-80 and involved drunk driving (11) and speeding (7).

Methodology

MoneyGeek analyzed 2017, 2018 and 2019's fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's FARS (fatal accident reporting system) database. Currently, 2019 is the most recent data available in the system.