A new analysis of federal traffic data shows that holiday driving in the United States carries a significantly elevated risk, with 51 people per million residents involved in fatal crashes during federal holidays nationwide.
The study, conducted by Phillips Law Firm, examined data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and calculated the number of people involved in fatal crashes per million residents during major federal holidays, including Memorial Day, Labor Day, Christmas Day, Independence Day, and New Year’s Day.
Delaware Named Most Dangerous State for Holiday Driving
Delaware emerged as the most dangerous state for holiday driving, recording 93 people involved in fatal crashes per million residents during federal holidays. Independence Day alone accounted for 18 people involved in fatal crashes in the state, underscoring the heightened risks associated with holiday travel.
Four states tied for second place as the next most dangerous: Wyoming, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Alabama, each with 88 people involved in fatal crashes per million residents. In Wyoming, Martin Luther King Jr. Day proved to be the deadliest holiday, while North Dakota recorded 19 fatal crash involvements on Independence Day alone.
Mississippi ranked third with 83 people involved per million, with New Year’s Day identified as the most hazardous holiday in the state.
The 10 Most Dangerous States for Holiday Driving
- Delaware – 93
- Wyoming – 88
- North Dakota – 88
- South Carolina – 88
- Alabama – 88
- Mississippi – 83
- Louisiana – 82
- Arkansas – 74
- New Mexico – 73
- Florida – 73
- Kansas – 72
- Tennessee – 69
- Oklahoma – 67
- Georgia – 65
Massachusetts Ranked Safest State for Holiday Travel
At the other end of the spectrum, Massachusetts was identified as the safest state for holiday driving, with just 18 people involved in fatal crashes per million residents between 2019 and 2023. Despite its overall safety ranking, Christmas Day was the most dangerous holiday in the state, accounting for 23 people involved in fatal crashes.
The District of Columbia ranked second safest with 21 people involved per million, with Juneteenth emerging as its most dangerous holiday. Maine and New York tied for third place at 23 per million, followed by Utah with 26. Minnesota and New Hampshire rounded out the top five safest locations for holiday drivers, each recording 27 people involved in fatal crashes per million residents.
The 10 Safest States for Holiday Driving
- Massachusetts – 18
- District of Columbia – 21
- Maine – 23
- New York – 23
- Utah – 26
- Minnesota – 27
- New Hampshire – 27
- New Jersey – 28
- Pennsylvania – 31
- Rhode Island – 32
- Alaska – 34
- Vermont – 34
- Washington – 34
- Maryland – 38
Independence Day Identified as Deadliest US Holiday
Among all federal holidays, Independence Day emerged as the most lethal nationwide, leading fatal crash statistics in 19 states. Large states recorded particularly high numbers, including Texas with 226 people involved in fatal crashes, California with 218, and Ohio with 109.
New Year’s Day was the most dangerous holiday in 12 states, with Florida recording 286 people involved in fatal crashes on that single day, the highest figure for any holiday-state combination in the study.
Expert Warns Drivers to Take Extra Precautions
Commenting on the findings, an expert at Phillips Law Firm emphasized the compounding risks associated with holiday travel.
“Holiday travel often leads to a sharp increase in road traffic as more people drive to visit family or attend events. This increased traffic elevates the risk of fatal accidents, especially when combined with alcohol consumption, driver fatigue, and unfamiliar routes,” the expert said.
Drivers are urged to plan ahead, monitor local traffic conditions, allow extra travel time, and avoid risky behaviors, particularly during major holidays when road congestion and impaired driving incidents tend to peak.
As millions of Americans prepare to travel for upcoming holidays, the data serves as a stark reminder that extra caution behind the wheel can be the difference between a safe trip and a tragic outcome.