Staying Safe in the Most Dangerous States for Winter Driving

Updated: December 5, 2024

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The number of fatalities caused by winter auto accidents increased slightly from 395 to 498 from 2021 to 2022 — a 26% increase and the highest of the past four years. Winter driving continues to 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, 422 drivers die per year on snowy or icy roads.
Michigan is the most dangerous state for winter driving, with an average of 42 deaths on the roads every winter between 2020 and 2022. The next most hazardous states for winter driving are Alaska, Pennsylvania and Wyoming.
Alaska had the highest winter driving fatality rate per billion lane mile of any state (1.57) — a slight decrease over the previous three-year period of 2019 to 2021, followed by Wyoming (0.99), Montana (0.87) and South Dakota (0.60).

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 2020 to 2022 — 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 Alaska 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	0.45
2.	Alaska	81.2	1.57
3.	Pennsylvania	73.4	0.30
4.	Wyoming	73.1	0.99
5.	Ohio	72.0	0.27
6.	Montana	70.9	0.87
7.	Illinois	59.3	0.24
8.	Colorado	52.9	0.27
9.	Wisconsin	52.2	0.32
10.	Minnesota	50.8	0.37
11.	Indiana	46.9	0.23
12.	South Dakota	46.5	0.60
13.	Texas	42.6	0.05
14.	Kansas	41.8	0.34
15.	Oregon	40.9	0.26

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.

1
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.
2
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.
3
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. Consider comparing car insurance quotes from several providers if you're in a high-risk winter driving state and your coverage is inadequate.
4
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.
5
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.
6
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 15% lower at 20 degrees Fahrenheit than it would be at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
7
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 correct pressure for your vehicle 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 2020 to 2022.

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 Dataset

The data points presented are defined as follows:

2024 Rank: The state's winter driving rank for MoneyGeek's 2024 study based on its "Final Winter Danger Score," with a lower rank indicating more dangerous winter driving conditions.
2023 Rank: The state's winter driving rank for MoneyGeek's 2023 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 (2020–2022): 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 2020 to 2022. 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	2024 Rank	2023 Rank	Final Winter Danger Score	Total Winter Driving Fatalities (2020–2022)	Winter Driving Fatality Rate	Safe Driver Score
Michigan	1	1	100.0	126	0.45	73
Alaska	2	2	81.2	26	1.57	48
Pennsylvania	3	4	73.4	87	0.30	63
Wyoming	4	7	73.1	30	0.99	17
Ohio	5	3	72.0	89	0.27	70
Montana	6	5	70.9	34	0.87	19
Illinois	7	6	59.3	70	0.24	69
Colorado	8	11	52.9	43	0.27	35
Wisconsin	9	8	52.2	61	0.32	85
Minnesota	10	10	50.8	62	0.37	99
Indiana	11	12	46.9	57	0.23	84
South Dakota	12	9	46.5	18	0.60	41
Texas	13	22	42.6	39	0.05	36
Kansas	14	17	41.8	31	0.34	57
Oregon	15	26	40.9	27	0.26	40
West Virginia	16	13	40.4	21	0.44	51
Missouri	17	14	40.1	34	0.15	46
New Mexico	18	20	39.9	13	0.17	1
Nebraska	19	19	37.9	26	0.42	69
New York	20	21	36.3	47	0.14	91
North Dakota	21	25	34.3	11	0.40	46
Idaho	22	18	34.0	19	0.34	58
New Hampshire	23	24	31.6	13	0.34	53
Kentucky	24	23	31.5	22	0.15	51
South Carolina	25	29	28.9	3	0.02	0
Tennessee	25	33	28.9	21	0.09	51
Vermont	27	15	28.6	9	0.46	69
Iowa	28	16	28.4	25	0.26	84
Maine	29	30	28.0	13	0.31	63
Washington	30	27	27.7	18	0.11	51
Utah	31	31	27.5	26	0.26	90
Virginia	32	28	27.2	17	0.07	46
Arizona	33	32	23.9	10	0.05	39
Arkansas	34	35	23.2	9	0.08	43
Mississippi	35	34	22.4	6	0.05	36
Oklahoma	36	37	21.6	8	0.06	45
North Carolina	37	41	21.0	13	0.04	56
California	38	36	19.3	13	0.01	59
Massachusetts	39	38	18.5	21	0.12	95
Connecticut	40	39	17.0	11	0.12	77
Nevada	41	40	16.3	5	0.06	58
Georgia	42	44	15.4	8	0.02	63
Louisiana	43	47	15.0	1	0.01	47
Delaware	44	46	12.8	1	0.04	58
Maryland	45	43	12.6	8	0.05	77
Alabama	46	48	12.3	1	0.00	57
Rhode Island	47	45	9.9	1	0.05	71
New Jersey	47	42	9.2	12	0.06	100
Florida	47	49	7.5	1	0.00	74
Hawaii	50	50	0.0	0	0.00	76

About Danielle Kiser

Danielle Kiser is an Emmy Award-winning producer and a professional journalist with over 15 years of experience. She writes finance content for MoneyGeek, sharing her knowledge of state regulations, insurance and real estate.

Kiser earned her broadcast journalism degree from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism.

Read Full Bio »

sources

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Fatality Analysis Reporting System." Accessed December 5, 2024.
U.S. Department of Energy. "Fuel Economy in Cold Weather." Accessed December 5, 2024.

Staying Safe in the Most Dangerous States for Winter Driving

Most Dangerous States for Winter Driving

15 Most Dangerous States for Winter Driving

Winter Driving Safety-First Measures That Could Save Your Life

Get a checkup.

Reassess your battery.

Verify your auto insurance.

Top off your windshield wiper fluid.

Look down.

Fill up.

Tread heavy.

Essential Items to Keep In Your Car

Methodology

Full Dataset

sources