Expert Issues Seasonal Sarning as South Dakota NUMBER ONE Halloween Accident Hotspot

Expert Issues Seasonal Sarning as South Dakota NUMBER ONE Halloween Accident Hotspot

• A new study has revealed the most dangerous states for road accidents around the Halloween season
• Accident data from the NHTSA from the days surrounding Halloween was analyzed to find the states where drivers and pedestrians are most at risk
• Drivers in Maine and Rhode Island should also exercise caution, whereas Oklahoma drivers are safer than usual during the Halloween period

A new analysis has ranked the states based on their road safety in the Halloween season – and South Dakota drivers should exercise caution.

The study, conducted by injury lawyers Bader Scott, analyzed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) fatal road accident data to determine the percentage of fatal crashes from October and November which occurred in the Halloween period.

On average, 25% of crashes occurring over two months would be expected to occur within a two-week period. However, for 29 states, this proportion is higher over the Halloween period.

Among alcohol-fueled parties and events, and with more people out on the streets trick-or-treating, the risk of an accident rises, and the study has revealed which states are most at risk.

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 24^th and November 7^th, 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 drivers 21% 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.

The ten 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 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.”