Tim Phillips Show, 8/25/26

Every time we get behind the wheel we take a risk, not just because of our own driving habits, but also those of everyone else on the road. Between all the drivers who are distracted by texting, speeding, tailgating, exhausted or under the influence, it’s easy to feel unsafe when we’re just running to get groceries or pick the kids up from school. While bad things can happen anywhere, it turns out, some states are worse than others for drivers and a new study reveals where we’re most at risk.

Priority Tire has just come out with a ranking of the most dangerous states for drivers.
Their researchers analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data on fatal crashes across the country in 2023, the most recent year available. They compared the number of fatal crashes in each state with its population to calculate a rate per 100-thousand residents.
That means the rankings measure fatal crashes relative to population, not the total number of crashes, so a state can have more crashes overall, but have a lower rate when population is factored in.
Topping the list as the most dangerous state to drive in is Mississippi. It had 732 fatal crashes in 2023, giving it a rate of 24.9 per 100-thousand people, more than twice the national rate of 9.6.
Wyoming was second with 144 fatal crashes for a rate of 24.7 per 100-thousand residents, followed by New Mexico with a rate of 20.7.
The state with the lowest fatal crash rate is Massachusetts, at just 4.9 per 100-thousand. New York is second at 5.7, followed by Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Hawaii, with a rate of 6.5 each.
The 10 States With The Highest Fatal Crash Rates

Mississippi
Wyoming
New Mexico
South Carolina
Arkansas
Alabama
Tennessee
Montana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Source: USA Today

Two For Tuesday - IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW    HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES    SIMPLY RED

3 in 72, 1 in 89

Melvin was born on 6/25/1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Born Mick Hucknall on 6/8/1960 in Denton, Manchester, England.

Smart tech can be a helpful way to monitor your health, but it can also lead to anxiety that can defeat the purpose of wearing it. The thing is, it’s good to know if your health is on track, but you don’t need a fancy watch to tell you some of the basics.

Paying attention to your body’s signals, from how you feel to what you can do, can reveal how well you’re doing. While there’s no single pass or fail test for how healthy you are, there are some simple indicators that can reassure us we’re functioning well. Here’s what to watch for, according to medical professionals.

You can put your socks on standing up - It may sound basic, but single-leg balance is a strong predictor of longevity, as it requires a combination of muscle strength, joint stability and the nervous system. A 2022 study found older people who couldn’t stand on one leg for 10 seconds had an 84% higher risk of dying within 10 years.

You can get up from the floor without using your hands - This one requires strength, balance, mobility coordination and power all working together. Research has shown that people who can do this tend to live longer than those who can’t.
You have a firm grip - It’s a sign of overall muscle strength and research links weaker grip strength with a higher risk of frailty and cognitive decline later in life.

You get hungry at regular times - Getting those hunger signals consistently shows your metabolism and hunger hormones are working well.
You can hold a deep, flat-footed squat - Being able to hold this position can reveal ankle and hip mobility, but tightness in those areas and sitting for long amounts of time can make it hard.

You can climb a few flights of stairs without getting out of breath - The European Society of Cardiology actually uses a four-flight stair climb test to measure overall heart health and risk of cardiac conditions. Those who could climb four flights (about 60 steps) at a brisk pace without stopping and getting winded in less than 90 seconds were at lower risk.

You wake up feeling rested - The quality of sleep you get is important for feeling refreshed in the morning and waking up feeling groggy can be a sign you’ve had poor quality sleep. Research has linked a long-term lack of quality rest to issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline.
Source: Metro