• New Mexico drivers face the tenth-highest crash risk during Halloween
• 28% of New Mexico’s October to November crashes happen between October 24th and November 7th
• The rise in accidents during Halloween can be driven by factors such as fallen leaves, rain, fog, low sun glare, trick-or-treaters, and alcohol-fueled parties

A recent analysis ranks US states by road safety risks during Halloween, spotlighting New Mexico drivers as needing to be cautious.

Injury lawyers Bader Scott examined fatal road accident data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), focusing on the percentage of crashes in October and November that occurred around Halloween.

While, on average, 25% of crashes in a two-month period would fall within any two-week span, 29 states show a higher crash rate during Halloween. With alcohol-fueled events and streets crowded with trick-or-treaters, the risk of accidents spikes, identifying the states most vulnerable during this period.

For drivers in South Dakota, the chance of being involved in a fatal collision is highest over the Halloween period. With 32.74% of crashes from the months of October and November taking place between October 24th and November 7th, the state has the highest proportion of crashes in the US.

In fact, the chance of being in a fatal crash in South Dakota is 30.2% higher than the national average of 25.14%, making the state America’s Halloween crash hotspot.

In second place, drivers in Maine are 23% more likely to be involved in a crash over the Halloween period than the average US driver. Of all the crashes occurring in October and November in the Pine Tree State, 30.89% take place during the Halloween period.

Rhode Island takes third place, with drivers 22% more likely to crash over the Halloween period than the national average. The days surrounding Halloween are responsible for 30.77% of all fatal crashes in October and November.

In Connecticut, which takes fourth place in the ranking, 30.53% of crashes in October and November occur over the week before and after Halloween, making drivers21% more likely to crash than the national average (25.14%).

Alaska lands in fifth place. Drivers in the state are 18% more likely to be involved in an accident than the average US driver. Of all crashes in October and November, 29.63% occur over the Halloween period.

10 States With the Highest Chance of a Collision During the Halloween Period

Kansas takes sixth, as the chance of a crash is 16% higher during the Halloween period compared to the national average. In October and November, 28.83% of the state’s crashes take place during the Halloween fortnight.

In seventh is New Hampshire, where the proportion of crashes in October and November occurring over the Halloween period is 28.71% – 14% higher than the national average.

Wisconsin is in eighth place. The crash rate over the Halloween period is 13% higher than the national average, with 28.39% of October and November crashes occurring during the fortnight of Halloween festivities.

Hawaii takes the ninth spot, as 27.78% of fatal collisions over the two-month period take place during the Halloween period – 11% higher than the national average (of 25.14%).

Finally, New Mexico rounds out the top ten most dangerous states, with a Halloween period crash rate of 27.61% of all October and November collisions. This makes drivers in the state 10% more likely to crash than the average US driver.

On the other end of the scale, in Oklahoma, parents of trick-or-treaters and drivers alike can take some comfort in knowing that their state is 19% safer than the national average.

Crowned the safest state, only 20.4% of fatal crashes in October and November occur over the Halloween period.

In light of these findings, Seth Bader, founder of Bader Scott, offered advice to parents on keeping their children safe while trick-or-treating:

“The Halloween season is usually associated with costumes, sweet treats and festive fun, but if you’re heading out to celebrate, it is important to be cautious on the roads, and even on the sidewalk whilst trick-or-treating. 

“In South Dakota, Maine, and the other top-ranking states, parents of trick-or-treaters can use this data to their advantage. Ensuring your children wear bright, visible colors, stick to well-lit neighborhoods, avoid busy roads and head out earlier in the day will help to minimize risk.  

“Government officials in the most affected states should also use this data to plan ahead, reminding drivers to exercise caution and taking suitable measures to help prevent accidents, allowing everyone to celebrate safely.”

Methodology: 

To identify America’s Halloween road accident hotspots, the study used the latest available data on fatal crashes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022.

First, the Halloween period was identified as the seven days before Halloween (October 24 to 30), the day of Halloween (October 31), and the seven days after Halloween (November 1 to 7).

The total number of fatal crashes during the defined period was compared against the total number of fatal crashes that occurred during October and November as a whole. This revealed each state’s Halloween period fatal crash percentage – the state with the highest percentage of crashes during the Halloween period was deemed to be America’s Halloween road accident hotspot.

Additionally, the number of fatal crashes that occurred on the day of Halloween was calculated as a percentage of the overall number of crashes during October and November.