Which statement accurately reflects the largest share of fatal crashes?

• A. 76% of fatal crashes occur on rural roads.
• B. 97% of fatal crashes occur on roads with a speed limit of 55 mph or less.
• C. 69% of fatal crashes occur on sections with no traffic control devices in effect.
• D. 53% of fatal crashes occur while driving on straight roads.

Answer: (B)

Crashes turn deadly most often in settings where a lot of driving occurs on roads with lower speed limits, yet conditions still allow for severe outcomes when a crash happens. Roads with speed limits of 55 mph or less are common in rural and semi-rural areas, and they often have fewer traffic controls, more curves or intersections, and other hazards. Because a large amount of driving happens on these roads, and because crashes there can be severe given the speeds and road conditions, they account for the largest share of fatal crashes. The other statements describe plausible crash environments, but they don’t reflect the overall distribution as strongly as the lower-speed roads do.