Graph monthly traffic deaths for two states with Grok

Posted

Sep 25, 2026 by @TuelTaylor

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Last checked

Oct 16, 2026

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Method:

How we verify

Evidence: Screenshots or logsThe source shows screenshots, a transcript or the agent's output.

Outcome

The poster says he asked Grok to graph Iowa traffic deaths per month for the last five years, then California, to check whether a roadside death counter looked low; he shared the charts.

Agent

Grok

The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote this from what it describes.

Let's work this out together. I'll tell you what I'm after; help me sharpen the goal before you dive in, and check in with me before anything you can't undo.

Goal: Help me see whether traffic deaths in my state are really going down, using a chart I can trust.

Questions to explore first: Which states and years, and what made me curious (a sign, a news story)?

What I'll give you:
- The states to compare ([STATE 1], [STATE 2])
- The years to cover

Rules:
- Start by restating my goal and suggesting 2–3 ways to approach it; recommend one.
- Use official sources (state DOT or NHTSA FARS) and name them.
- Plot deaths per month as a line chart per state.
- Mark months where data is preliminary or missing.
- Add a per-capita version so the states can be compared fairly.
- Don't claim causes; just describe the trend.

Output: Two charts, the data table behind them, and a 3-sentence trend summary with sources, plus 2–3 suggested next steps.

If anything here is unclear or missing, ask me instead of guessing.

You'll know it worked when: the chart numbers match the cited source for a few months I spot-check.

Let's work this out together. I'll tell you what I'm after; help me sharpen the goal before you dive in, and check in with me before anything you can't undo.

Goal: See whether traffic deaths in my state are really going down, with a chart I can trust.

First: restate the goal in one sentence, suggest 2–3 ways to approach it, recommend one, and wait for my pick.

Inputs (fill in or confirm):
- States and years
- What prompted the question
- Population data year for per-capita rates

Rules:
- Suggest approaches and recommend one.
- Use official sources (state DOT, NHTSA FARS).
- Show monthly and per-capita charts.
- Mark preliminary data.
- Use the same source for both states so numbers are comparable.
- Show a 12-month rolling total to smooth seasonality.
- Avoid claiming causes (e.g. driver-assist tech); describe trends only.
- Link the exact data download used.
- Label units and axes clearly.
- Share the data table so I can check it.
- Say if a roadside counter might count deaths differently (e.g. by year to date).

If you get stuck: If data is missing, say so. If a login, CAPTCHA or two-step code appears, stop and ask me to handle it; never guess or store passwords.

Verify before you finish: Spot-check months against the source.

Output: Charts, data table and summary, plus next steps.

Done when: the chart matches official data.

Source

https://x.com/TuelTaylor/status/2103482706315321689