Last year, more than 146,000 people in the U.S. died from preventable causes, such as car accidents, drug overdoses among several others.

And according to a new report from the National Safety Council, states just aren't doing enough to protect their residents or to improve safety on the roads, in the community and home or in the workplace.

Analysts determined state-by-state grades for road, home, community and workplace safety and found no state was deserving of an overall “A” grade.

Eleven states (Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, South Carolina, Mississippi, Missouri and Wyoming) received failing grades.

Using data from multiple sources, including the Insurance Institute for Highway SafetyBureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census and more, of all the estimated preventable deaths in 2016, the council found 40,200 fatalities occurred on the roads; 121,904 in homes and communities and 4,836 in workplaces.

“We are in the midst of the deadliest spike in roadway fatalities in 50 years,” report writers said. And according to 2015 data, road fatalities are also the leading cause of death in 16 states.

Read more here.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Blooper celebrates the Atlanta Brave’s 5-0 win over the New York Mets during a MLB game Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Truist Park. This year, the venue is a first-time host of the MLB All-Star game. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado for the AJC

Featured

Braves first baseman Matt Olson (left) is greeted by Ronald Acuña Jr. after batting during the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC