A new study has revealed the deadliest U.S. states for Halloween.
Key Findings:
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South Dakota is the 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.
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Kentucky ranks second, with 8.43 deaths in crashes per one million residents, 136.38% above the U.S. average.
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Mississippi comes in third, with 6.75 deaths in crashes per one million residents, 89.32% higher than the U.S. average.
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Data from the past decade on fatal crashes shows that 24 U.S. states have higher fatalities per one million residents than the national average.
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Six of the top 10 deadliest states for Halloween are in the South: Kentucky (8.43 deaths per one million), Mississippi (6.75 deaths per one million), Arkansas (6.64 deaths per one million), Oklahoma (6.31 deaths per one million), South Carolina (6.25 deaths per one million), and Tennessee (5.21 deaths per one million).
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Vermont ranks 50th in the deadliest state for Halloween, having zero deaths in the span of 10 years (2013 to 2022).
The legal team at Dallas-based personal injury law firm The Barber Law Firm analyzed the Department of Transportation’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST) data on fatal crashes for Halloween over a decade (2013 to 2022) to identify the US states with the highest number of deaths per capita.
Top 10 Deadliest States for Halloween:
| Rank | State | Fatal Crashes (per 1 million 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% |
Top 10 Safest States for Halloween:
| Rank | State | Fatal Crashes (per 1 million residents) |
% Below from 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% |
Kris Barber, Founder and Principal Attorney of The Barber Law Firm, comments:
“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.
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.”
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
