Our new study revealed the deadliest states to drive in this Halloween, with South Dakota taking the top spot.
South Dakota ranks as America’s deadliest state for Halloween with 9.02 deaths in car crashes per one million residents, which is 152.92% higher than the U.S. average of 3.57 fatalities.
Kentucky ranks second with 8.43 deaths in crashes per one million residents, 136.38% above the U.S. average.
Mississippi comes in third with 6.75 deaths in crashes per one million residents, 89.32% higher than the U.S. average.
Researchers at personal injury law firm Andrew Pickett Law analyzed the Department of Transportation’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST) data on fatal crashes for Halloween over a decade (2013 to 2023) to identify the U.S. states with the highest number of deaths per capita.
Deadliest US States for Halloween
| Rank | State | Fatal Crashes (per 1M residents) |
% Above from U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 9.02 | 152.92% |
| 2 | Kentucky | 8.43 | 136.38% |
| 3 | Mississippi | 6.75 | 89.32% |
| 4 | Arkansas | 6.64 | 86.17% |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 6.31 | 76.99% |
| 6 | South Carolina | 6.25 | 75.25% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 5.61 | 57.16% |
| 8 | Montana | 5.53 | 55.12% |
| 9 | Alaska | 5.45 | 52.89% |
| 10 | Tennessee | 5.21 | 46.02% |
Andrew Pickett, personal injury lawyer and owner of Melbourne, Florida-based Andrew Pickett Law, commented on the findings:
“Halloween should be a time for fun, excitement, and community joy, not accidents and mishaps. As the festivities approach, it’s crucial to prioritize road safety to ensure a joyful occasion for all.
To improve safety, drivers should adopt responsible habits such as reducing speed, staying alert, and avoiding distractions, particularly in residential areas with trick-or-treaters. Local authorities can support these efforts by enhancing street lighting, installing speed bumps, and increasing police patrols to deter reckless driving.”
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Essential Halloween Safety Tips
Safety Tips for Drivers:
Slow down in residential areas – Reduce your speed to 15-20 mph in neighborhoods where children are trick-or-treating. Kids can be unpredictable and may dart into the street without warning. Extra time to react could save a life.
Eliminate distractions – Put your phone away, turn down the music, and stay fully focused on the road. Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs. Remember, not all neighborhoods have sidewalks, and costumes can make it harder for kids to see approaching vehicles.
Safety Tips for Parents of Trick-or-Treaters:
Make your child visible – Equip children with flashlights, glow sticks, or reflective tape on their costumes and candy bags. Choose bright-colored costumes when possible, and consider adding reflective strips to dark costumes to ensure drivers can see them from a distance.
Plan a safe route and supervise young children – Map out a well-lit route in familiar neighborhoods and always accompany children. Teach kids to cross streets at crosswalks, look both ways, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing. Avoid cutting through yards or alleys where visibility is limited.
Safest US States for Halloween
The study also identified the safest states to drive in during Halloween:
Vermont is the safest state for Halloween, having zero deaths in the span of 10 years (2013 to 2022), achieving a 100% safety rate compared to the national average.
Hawaii ranks as the second safest state with just 0.69 deaths per one million residents, 80.74% below the U.S. average.
New York comes in third with 1.39 deaths per one million residents, 61.15% below the U.S. average.
Top 10 Safest States for Halloween
| Rank | State | Fatal Crashes (per 1M residents) |
% Below the U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Vermont | 0.00 | 100% |
| 49 | Hawaii | 0.69 | 80.74% |
| 48 | New York | 1.39 | 61.15% |
| 47 | New Jersey | 1.40 | 60.77% |
| 46 | Massachusetts | 1.42 | 60.14% |
| 45 | Illinois | 1.72 | 51.87% |
| 44 | Delaware | 2.02 | 43.37% |
| 43 | Kansas | 2.04 | 42.75% |
| 42 | Minnesota | 2.10 | 41.06% |
| 41 | Washington | 2.47 | 30.88% |
Pickett adds:
“At Andrew Pickett Law, we believe this is the perfect time to raise awareness about essential safety measures. By taking proactive steps, we can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and make Halloween a safe and pleasant experience for everyone.
This data isn’t meant to alarm—it’s meant to equip. Knowing the risks allows families to take appropriate precautions, plan safer routes for trick-or-treating, and remain vigilant on the roads. Whether you’re a driver navigating residential streets or a parent supervising children, awareness is your first line of defense in preventing Halloween tragedies.”
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We specialize in personal injury claims.
Methodology:
This study ranked the deadliest U.S. states for Halloween based on fatal crash data per capita. The primary data source is the Department of Transportation’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST), from which a dataset was extracted covering the period 2013 to 2023.
To ensure comparability across states with varying populations, fatality rates were normalized per one million residents. The analysis focused specifically on fatal crashes occurring on October 31st (Halloween) during the study period. States were then ranked based on their per capita fatality rates and compared against the national average of 3.57 deaths per one million residents.
Need free legal help in Florida?
We specialize in personal injury claims.
