South Carolina ranked 8th ‘most dangerous state to drive in’

South Carolina was recently ranked as the 8th “most dangerous state to drive in,” according to a study released by a Delaware-based financial news and opinion company.

24/7 Wall Street found that there are 16.1 deaths in every 100,000 residents for South Carolina, which exceeds the national rate of 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents.

The study also found that, as in many of the states with dangerous roads, a higher share of the deadly accidents in South Carolina are attributed to drunk driving. Nationally, the study found that 72 percent of those killed while driving had been drinking, compared to 82 percent of those killed behind the wheel in South Carolina who had alcohol in their blood.

Across the country, the study found that rural roads are more dangerous to drive on than urban roads. In South Carolina, nearly half of all motor vehicle travel takes place in rural parts of the state. The study reportedly found that 80 percent of all fatal accidents in the state occur in rural areas.

24/7 Wall Street discovered the data by reviewing state by state fatality data collected in 2013 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as well as urban and rural 2013 travel data provided by the Federal Highway Administration. Penalties for alcohol-impaired driving by state were provided by WalletHub.

Here is how the rest of South Carolina’s statistics stack-up:

▪  Road deaths per 100,000: 16.1

▪  Total roadway fatalities in 2013: 767

▪  Pct. of residents using seat belt: 92%

▪  Pct. of drivers killed w/ alcohol in blood: 82%

10 “most dangerous states to drive in”:

1. Montana

2. North Dakota

3. Mississippi

4. West Virginia

5. Oklahoma

6. Alabama

7. Arkansas

8. South Carolina

9. South Dakota

10. Tennessee

10 “safest states to drive in”:

1. Massachusetts

2. New York

3. New Jersey

4. Rhode Island

5. Washington

6. Alaska

7. Minnesota

8. Hawaii

9. Utah

10. Illinois

This story was originally published December 1, 2015 at 12:51 PM with the headline "South Carolina ranked 8th ‘most dangerous state to drive in’."