A new study, completed by personal injury law firm Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, has revealed that Texas records the highest number of pedestrian deaths linked to unlicensed vehicles in the United States.
The analysis looked at state-level crash data and found that hundreds or thousands of fatal and non-fatal incidents involve drivers without a valid license, raising concerns about enforcement and road safety nationwide.
California’s rank for nationwide for crashes caused by unlicensed drivers is ninth, with more than a quarter (25.92%) of all crashes linked to unlicensed motorists.
Texas ranks first overall, with 18,165 total crashes, nearly a third (31.16%) caused by unlicensed drivers. The state also reported 3,567 pedestrian deaths, 19.54% of which involved unlicensed vehicles.
Hawaii comes next, with 152 pedestrian deaths, 12.50% involving unlicensed vehicles. The island state saw 498 total crashes, with 27.51% linked to unlicensed drivers.
North Carolina ranks third, with 1,186 pedestrian deaths, 13.41%involving unlicensed vehicles. Out of 7,157 total crashes, 26.99%were caused by unlicensed drivers.
Louisiana follows closely with 3,900 total crashes, 26.87%involving unlicensed drivers. The state recorded 791 pedestrian deaths, 14.66% involving unlicensed vehicles.
In Nevada, 13.77% of the state’s 385 pedestrian deaths involved unlicensed vehicles. Data also shows 1,636 total crashes, with 26.53% linked to unlicensed drivers.
Colorado saw 449 pedestrian deaths, 11.58% involving unlicensed vehicles. The state recorded 3,044 crashes in total, 26.41% of which were tied to unlicensed drivers.
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Top 15 States with the Highest Percentage of Crashes Caused by Unlicensed Drivers
| Rank | State | Total number of pedestrian deaths | Percentage of pedestrian deaths caused by unlicensed drivers | Total number of crashes | Percentage of crashes caused by unlicensed drivers |
| 1 | Texas | 3,567 | 19.54% | 18,165 | 31.16% |
| 2 | Hawaii | 152 | 12.50% | 498 | 27.51% |
| 3 | North Carolina | 1,186 | 13.41% | 7,157 | 26.99% |
| 4 | Louisiana | 791 | 14.66% | 3,900 | 26.87% |
| 5 | Nevada | 385 | 13.77% | 1,636 | 26.53% |
| 6 | Colorado | 449 | 11.58% | 3,044 | 26.41% |
| 7 | Indiana | 505 | 12.08% | 4,090 | 26.36% |
| 8 | Alaska | 63 | 14.29% | 321 | 26.17% |
| 9 | California | 5,339 | 11.28% | 18,890 | 25.92% |
| 10 | Tennessee | 843 | 12.46% | 5,577 | 25.87% |
| 11 | Arkansas | 363 | 12.12% | 2,760 | 25.00% |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 285 | 20.35% | 2,737 | 24.95% |
| 13 | Mississippi | 433 | 10.62% | 3,202 | 24.27% |
| 14 | Washington | 575 | 10.96% | 2,840 | 23.98% |
| 15 | Oregon | 439 | 12.07% | 2,466 | 23.97% |
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There were 505 pedestrian deaths in Indiana, and 12.08%involved unlicensed vehicles. Of 4,090 total crashes, 26.36% were caused by unlicensed drivers.
In Alaska, 14.29% of 63 pedestrian deaths involved unlicensed vehicles. The state also reported 321 crashes, with 26.17% linked to unlicensed drivers.
California had the highest total number of pedestrian deaths overall at 5,339, with 11.28% involving unlicensed vehicles. The state also saw 18,890 total crashes, 25.92% connected to unlicensed drivers.
Tennessee recorded 5,577 total crashes; 25.87% were caused by unlicensed drivers. In Arkansas, there were 2,760 total crashes, with exactly 25.00% involving unlicensed drivers.
Wisconsin reported 2,737 total crashes, with 24.95% linked to unlicensed drivers. In Mississippi, there were 3,202 total crashes; 24.27% were caused by unlicensed drivers.
Washington saw 575 pedestrian deaths, 10.96% involving unlicensed vehicles. The state recorded 2,840 total crashes, with 23.98% involving unlicensed drivers.
Oregon reported 439 pedestrian deaths, with 12.07% involving unlicensed vehicles. Across 2,466 total crashes, 23.97% were linked to unlicensed drivers.
Dennis Hernandez, founder attorney of Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, commented on the findings:
“Unlicensed drivers represent a serious and often overlooked threat to public safety. When someone operates a vehicle without a valid license, it raises questions about their training, accountability, and insurance coverage.
“This data shows that thousands of pedestrians are losing their lives in preventable incidents involving unlicensed vehicles. These numbers highlight the urgent need for stronger enforcement and education around licensing laws. States like California, where a high percentage of crashes involve unlicensed drivers, are especially at risk. Addressing this issue is not just about penalties; it is about protecting every person who uses our roads.”
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This information was provided by Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys. If using this content or data, a hyperlink is required to www.dennishernandez.com.
The most recent (2018-2022) crash data per state was retrieved from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s FARS (https://cdan.dot.gov/query), and the percentage of crashes involving unlicensed vehicles was calculated. These crashes were also checked for the number of pedestrian fatalities they caused.