Holiday Road Safety Study Exposes Stark Regional Divide in Fatal Crash Rates Across America

• Massachusetts ranks first nationwide with the highest Responsible Driving Score of 88.57 out of 100.

• Rhode Island and New York follow, scoring 83.54 and 83.46, respectively.

• On the other hand, Montana recorded a Responsible Driving Score of 22.81, the lowest among U.S. states analyzed.

A new study revealed that Massachusetts leads the nation in responsible driving during holidays.

A new study by Wilk Law Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers examined speed-related and alcohol-related fatal crash records from the CDAN Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) across all 50 U.S. states on key holidays between 2019 and 2023. The analysis measured two core indicators–Speed-Related Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Licensed Drivers and Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Residents–to determine where motorists exhibit the safest behaviors during the year’s most congested travel days.

Massachusetts stands well above the rest of the nation with a Responsible Driving Score of 88.57 out of 100. With 4,909,331 licensed drivers, the Bay State recorded just 11 speed-related and 3 alcohol-related fatal holiday crashes between 2019 and 2023.

Rhode Island secures the second-safest spot with a Responsible Driving Score of 83.54/100. Among its 753,992 licensed drivers, the Ocean State saw only 2 speed-related and 1 alcohol-related fatal crashes during the five-year holiday study period.

New York ranks third with an impressive Responsible Driving Score of 83.46/100, strengthened by its performance across a significantly larger driver population. With 12,133,329 licensed drivers, the Empire State recorded 35 speed-related and 11 alcohol-related fatal holiday crashes from 2019–2023. 

Minnesota claims fourth place with a Responsible Driving Score of 82.84/100, demonstrating steady holiday-season safety across its 4,155,412 licensed drivers. During the five-year period, the North Star State saw 12 speed-related and 4 alcohol-related fatal crashes.

New Hampshire completes the top five with a Responsible Driving Score of 82.66/100, supported by consistently low fatal crash activity during holiday travel. With 1,139,190 licensed drivers, the Granite State recorded just 4 speed-related and 1 alcohol-related fatal crashes from 2019–2023.

Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Wilk Law Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers commented:

“Holiday travel remains one of the most perilous times on U.S. roads, with speeding and impaired driving contributing heavily to preventable fatalities. These findings reveal which states are leading the way in promoting safe driving behaviors during the year’s busiest travel days.

“States at the top of the ranking show that a combination of public education, targeted enforcement, and responsible decision-making behind the wheel has a tangible impact. As holiday traffic surges, emphasizing safe driving practices can significantly reduce tragedies and save lives across the nation.”

Why These States Lead in Responsible Holiday Driving

These evidence-based strategies contribute to high Responsible Driving Scores:

1. Drivers in these states consistently show safe holiday driving behaviors, keeping speed- and alcohol-related fatal crashes low.
2. Strong enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and a culture of cautious driving contribute to higher Responsible Driving Scores.
3. Residents can take pride in maintaining safe roads during peak holiday travel, serving as a model for other states.
4. Continuing these habits – like sober driving, seatbelt use, and mindful speed management – ensures these states remain among the safest for holiday travel.
5. Investment in road safety infrastructure, such as well-maintained highways, clear signage, and effective traffic-calming measures, helps reduce the risk of holiday crashes and supports safe driving habits.

Hawaii ranks sixth with a Responsible Driving Score of 81.74/100, followed by New Jersey (7th, 81.51/100), Maryland (8th, 81.47/100), Virginia (9th, 81.26/100), and Alaska (10th, 80.77/100).

Table of Extended Results:

The study was conducted by Wilk Law Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, a Pennsylvania-based firm that represents victims of negligence in cases involving vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability, and wrongful death.

Methodology

The study analyzed holiday speed-related and alcohol-related fatal crash data from 2019 to 2023 for all 50 U.S. states, sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Two key indicators were measured:

• Speed-Related Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Licensed Drivers (scored out of 50)
• Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Residents (scored out of 50)

Scores from these indicators were combined to produce a Responsible Driving Score out of 100, used to rank each state from most to least responsible during holiday travel periods.

Data Source

• Data: https://cdan.dot.gov/query

Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CqLiPkrEdU5peAM5UxsPX8CBiXlNrVm7v9rnZK2GQVI/edit?gid=0#gid=0