MoneyGeek Analysis:

Staying Safe in the Most Dangerous States for Winter Driving

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Last Updated: 10/13/2022

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While the number of fatalities caused by winter auto accidents fell slightly from 441 to 369 from 2019 to 2020, winter driving can still be hazardous — especially if you live in one of the states below.

To underscore the importance of safe driving this winter, MoneyGeek analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System and ranked the most dangerous states for winter driving. We also explored steps drivers can take to prepare for winter weather and stay safe on the road.

Key Findings:

On average, 445 drivers die per year on snowy or icy roads.
Michigan is the most dangerous state for winter driving, with an average of 49 deaths on the roads every winter. The next-most dangerous states for winter driving are Wyoming, Alaska and Ohio.
Wyoming had the highest winter driving fatality rate of any state, followed by Alaska, Montana and Vermont.

Most Dangerous States for Winter Driving

While most of us can't avoid driving in icy and snowy conditions every winter, some states are more dangerous than others.

MoneyGeek analyzed data from the NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System for 2018 to 2020 — the most recent data available — to rank the worst states for winter driving. Our ranking of the most dangerous states for winter driving incorporated total fatalities in winter driving conditions, the fatality rate adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state and the state's score on our ranking of the states with the safest drivers.

We found that when road conditions included sleet, snow, blowing snow or freezing drizzle, Michigan ranked as the worst state for winter driving overall, while Wyoming had the highest winter driving fatality rate.

Our top 15 list doesn't include some surprising states that experience significant winter weather, like Massachusetts and New Jersey.

15 Most Dangerous States for Winter Driving

	State	Final Winter Danger Score	Winter Driving Fatality Rate
1.	Michigan	100	0.50
2.	Wyoming	88	1.51
3.	Alaska	83	1.38
4.	Ohio	76	0.46
5.	Montana	68	0.77
6.	Pennsylvania	67	0.29
7.	Wisconsin	59	0.38
8.	Illinois	54	0.24
9.	Missouri	52	0.24
10.	Nebraska	51	0.65
11.	South Dakota	49	0.54
12.	North Dakota	47	0.70
13.	Indiana	47	0.25
14.	Vermont	42	0.77
15.	West Virginia	42	0.49

Winter Driving Safety-First Measures That Could Save Your Life

There are life-saving measures you can take to prepare your vehicle for changing road conditions before the sleet, ice and snow hit your area.

Get a checkup.

The worst time for your car to break down is in freezing temperatures, so it’s essential to get your car serviced to check for leaks, worn hoses and other maintenance items. Your brakes, defroster, heater and lights should all be working correctly.

Reassess your battery.

Battery power drops with the temperature. You want to make sure your battery has enough voltage, amperage and reserve capacity to start on those cold mornings. If your battery is more than three years old, consider replacing it.

Verify your auto insurance.

Ensure that you have the best auto insurance policy to protect you in the event of a weather-related incident. Even if you're driving responsibly, some accidents are unavoidable if you and another car collide in icy conditions. Call your insurance provider or verify your plan online to double-check your winter weather coverage. You may want to compare car insurance quotes from several providers if you're in a high-risk winter driving state and your coverage is inadequate.

Top off your windshield wiper fluid.

Snowstorms can drain your windshield wiper fluid quickly. Top off your washer reservoir before the first snow hits, and then keep refilling it throughout the season. Late fall is an excellent time to check if those wipers need a replacement.

Look down.

Have you checked your floor mats in a while? Are they still in the right place and clear of debris? If not, it's time to clean up and re-secure them. Improperly installed floor mats can get in your way and prevent you from hitting the gas or brake properly.

Fill up.

If you're always pushing it to the last mile before filling up your gas tank, winter is the time to change that habit. First of all, you don't want to be stranded in the cold. Secondly, you won't get as far on that last gallon of gas. According to the Department of Energy, in short-trip city driving, a conventional gasoline car's gas mileage is about 12% lower at 20 degrees Fahrenheit than it would be at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tread heavy.

You should check your tire tread regularly, but in slick conditions, it's critical. The minimum tread for any road condition is 2/32 of an inch. In winter driving, the more tread, the better. Tire pressure also changes with colder temperatures, so check your owner's manual to find the right pressure and add air if needed.

Essential Items to Keep In Your Car

Like a good Scout, it's a good idea to adopt the motto "be prepared" when it comes to winter driving. Keeping emergency supplies in your trunk is a key part of practicing travel safety. Tuck these items in the back now so they are there when you need them:

Spare tire
Chains
Snow shovel
Ice scraper
Jumper cables
Sand or kitty litter
Flashlight
Blanket
Water
Food/snacks
Cell phone charger
Medications

Before you leave for a ski vacation or a trip to Grandma’s house, you should plan your travel, checking the weather and road conditions as well as your route. Always give yourself extra time to drive slower.

If you're traveling with kids, make sure they’re safely buckled in a car seat. While you may want to keep them bundled up in their winter coat, this can interfere with the fit. Always remove your child’s thick outerwear, buckle them up and then place blankets or coats over the secure harness.

Methodology

To determine which states are most dangerous for winter driving, MoneyGeek analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for 2018–2020.

Using FARS data, we calculated each state’s winter driving fatality rate adjusted for vehicle miles traveled, as well as the total winter fatalities in each state. We also utilized the results of a MoneyGeek analysis of the states with the best and worst drivers.

To calculate each state's Winter Driving Score, we weighted the factors mentioned above. Total Winter Driving Fatalities was given double weight, Winter Driving Fatality Rate was given full weight and Safe Driver Score was given half weight.

Full Data Set

The data points presented are defined as follows:

2022 Rank: The state’s winter driving rank for MoneyGeek’s 2022 study based on its "Final Winter Danger Score," with a lower rank indicating more dangerous winter driving conditions.
2021 Rank: The state’s winter driving rank for MoneyGeek’s 2021 study based on its "Final Winter Danger Score," with a lower rank indicating more dangerous winter driving conditions.
Final Winter Danger Score: Total Winter Driving Fatalities, Winter Driving Fatality Rate and Safe Driver Score were each converted to a 100-point scale and weighted. We based the final ranking of states on that score.
Total Winter Driving Fatalities (2018–2020): Driving fatalities reported by the NHTSA where road conditions included sleet, snow, blowing snow or freezing drizzle for the most recent three years of data 2018–2020. This metric is given double weight in the calculation of the final winter danger score.
Winter Driving Fatality Rate: The rate of winter driving fatalities per billion vehicular miles traveled. This metric is given full weight in the ranking.
Safe Driver Score: The final score calculated by MoneyGeek in its rating of the states with the safest and worst drivers. For this analysis, the scores have been scaled to range from 0 to 100, with 100 being the safest. This metric is given half weight.

State	2022 Rank	2021 Rank	Final Winter Danger Score	Total Winter Driving Fatalities (2018-2020)	Winter Driving Fatality Rate	Safe Driver Score
Michigan	1	1	100	146	0.50	80
Wyoming	2	3	88	46	1.51	54
Alaska	3	2	83	23	1.38	9
Ohio	4	4	76	100	0.46	74
Montana	5	6	68	29	0.77	0
Pennsylvania	6	5	67	84	0.29	53
Wisconsin	7	7	59	72	0.38	69
Illinois	8	10	54	73	0.24	74
Missouri	9	11	52	54	0.24	43
Nebraska	10	9	51	40	0.65	73
South Dakota	11	8	49	16	0.54	16
North Dakota	12	12	47	20	0.70	53
Indiana	13	13	47	61	0.25	79
Vermont	14	14	42	16	0.77	73
West Virginia	15	22	42	27	0.49	59
Minnesota	16	15	40	55	0.32	98
Maine	17	16	39	24	0.56	74
Idaho	19	20	39	23	0.43	55
Colorado	18	19	39	33	0.21	47
New York	20	17	38	59	0.17	97
Iowa	21	21	36	37	0.38	89
Kansas	22	26	33	26	0.28	63
New Mexico	23	25	33	15	0.19	29
New Hampshire	24	18	30	8	0.20	30
South Carolina	25	27	29	4	0.02	3
Oregon	26	23	27	21	0.20	67
Kentucky	27	28	25	18	0.12	57
Washington	28	24	25	25	0.14	75
Arizona	29	32	24	13	0.06	43
Texas	30	29	23	15	0.02	44
Virginia	31	34	23	21	0.09	66
Utah	32	31	21	22	0.23	95
Mississippi	33	33	19	2	0.02	34
Arkansas	34	30	19	3	0.03	38
Tennessee	35	36	16	11	0.05	66
Oklahoma	36	40	16	5	0.04	54
North Carolina	37	35	16	13	0.04	71
Louisiana	38	37	15	1	0.01	47
Massachusetts	39	43	14	17	0.14	98
California	40	38	14	15	0.02	79
New Jersey	41	42	12	17	0.08	100
Nevada	42	41	12	4	0.05	71
Connecticut	43	46	11	5	0.05	74
Delaware	44	47	9	1	0.03	73
Maryland	45	45	8	8	0.05	90
Rhode Island	46	44	8	1	0.04	76
Georgia	47	48	8	5	0.01	80
Alabama	48	39	0	0	0.00	47
Florida	48	49	0	0	0.00	63
Hawaii	48	49	0	0	0.00	69

About Danielle Kiser

Danielle is a professional journalist with fifteen years of experience covering current events from the 2008 financial crisis to the COVID-19 global economic recession. As a former TV news producer, she focuses on sharing relevant and factual stories that stimulate personal growth and knowledge.

Danielle graduated from the acclaimed University of Missouri School of Journalism with a focus in Broadcast Journalism.

With six out-of-state moves and three home purchases under her belt, she has first-hand experience navigating state regulations, insurance and real estate. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband and a greyhound named Oreo.

sources

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Fatality Analysis Reporting System." Accessed October 7, 2022.
U.S. Department of Energy. "Fuel Economy in Cold Weather." Accessed October 21, 2021.

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