New Missouri-focused study finds pickups, SUVs, and luxury vehicles consistently overrepresented in fatal accident data, and the risk is growing
In a new report published by Kevin McManus Law, researchers have uncovered a sobering pattern playing out on Missouri’s roads and highways: drivers of expensive vehicles are significantly more likely to be involved in serious or fatal crashes, whether behind the wheel of a pickup truck, SUV, or high-end luxury car.
Based on 2023 crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the analysis highlights a growing national concern that vehicle cost, driver behavior, and accident likelihood are more closely connected than ever.
Missouri’s High Cost of Driving
According to the report, 991 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in Missouri in 2023, with Kansas City accounting for 102 of those deaths. Of the total fatalities, 528 involved pickup trucks or SUVs, accounting for more than half (53%) of all deadly crashes in the state.
Popular vehicles like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Toyota RAV4 are consistently among the most driven in Missouri, with price tags ranging from $33,000 to nearly $60,000. These vehicles dominate the state’s roadways, and the data shows their crash reports.
“We’re not just seeing more crashes, we’re seeing a specific pattern in who’s driving, what they’re driving, and how that affects safety on the road,” said a spokesperson from Kevin McManus Law.
Luxury Cars and Dangerous Driving Nationwide
While Missouri is dominated by large trucks and SUVs, the firm’s national analysis reveals another trend: luxury vehicles are increasingly overrepresented in accident statistics.
Among the top 10 luxury vehicles involved in crashes, brands like Tesla, Audi, and BMW stand out:
-
Tesla – 36.94 accidents per 1,000 drivers
-
Audi – 32.23
-
BMW – 30.43
-
Infiniti – 29.37
-
Lexus – 28.67
-
Acura – 28.44
-
Mercedes-Benz – 26.39
-
Volvo – 26.35
-
Land Rover – 25.97
-
Lincoln – 21.59
These brands account for 40% of the most crash-involved vehicles in the country, according to the firm’s findings.
Interestingly, despite their accident rates, many of these vehicles, including Tesla, Audi, and Mercedes, score highly in safety testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded top safety ratings to several models in this group, suggesting that driver behavior, not vehicle safety, is the leading risk factor.
Income, Car Value, and Recklessness: A Dangerous Mix
The study draws a direct correlation between vehicle cost and risk-taking on the road. Nationally, the median household income in 2023 was $80,610. In Missouri, the average income was $68,920, with Kansas City households earning slightly less, at $67,449.
Many of the most commonly driven vehicles exceed the price range considered financially responsible. Experts typically recommend spending no more than 10% of annual income on a car. Yet with many Missouri drivers behind the wheel of vehicles costing $50,000 or more, the affordability gap is widening.
Even more concerning, the firm found that for every $1,000 increase in a vehicle’s value, the likelihood of its driver yielding to a pedestrian drops by 3%, a statistic that points to a deeper behavioral trend: the more someone spends on their car, the less likely they are to obey basic safety norms.
Missouri’s Crash Factors: Speeding, Alcohol, and Distraction
The data also highlights what’s contributing to Missouri’s high crash fatality rate:
-
53% of fatal crashes involved speeding
-
17% involved alcohol
-
10% were caused by distraction
In many of these cases, the driver was operating a high-powered, high-cost vehicle such as a pickup or SUV.
“These numbers are more than statistics, they’re stories of real families impacted by preventable tragedies,” said the firm’s spokesperson. “And it’s clear that speeding and aggressive driving are the common denominators.”
Kansas City’s Most Dangerous Roads in 2023
The report also identifies the top 10 high-fatality roads in Kansas City last year:
-
I-435 – 26 deaths
-
Truman Road – 12
-
U.S. 71 – 11
-
I-70 – 11
-
Prospect Avenue – 9
-
Ward Parkway – 8
-
Troost Avenue – 7
-
Independence Avenue – 6
-
Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. – 4
-
31st Street – 4
Recommendations for Safer Roads
Kevin McManus Law urges policymakers, law enforcement, and drivers to consider key changes to reverse these trends:
-
Enhanced seatbelt enforcement, particularly for truck and SUV drivers.
-
Public education campaigns targeting drivers of high-cost vehicles.
-
Subsidies or tax incentives for purchasing safer, more affordable vehicles.
-
Investment in infrastructure, especially in high-risk urban and rural corridors.
-
Enforcement of speed and distraction laws on Missouri’s most dangerous roads.
“We believe the data sends a powerful message,” said the firm’s spokesperson. “Advanced safety features won’t save lives if risky behavior continues to go unchecked. Safer roads start with accountability and smart choices.”
