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Ranked: The 10 Most Hazardous States For Winter Driving

By Pat Steinberg | Updated:

A glistening blanket of new-fallen snow sure is lovely. What isn’t so pretty? All of the winter driving dangers that come along with it.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 40% of weather-related vehicle crashes can be attributed to snowy or icy conditions that cause more than 1,300 deaths annually. Weather-related driving incidents also take a financial toll:  If you don’t have adequate car insurance coverage, fender benders and slip-and-slide accidents can result in your wallet taking a big hit.

Which states are the most dangerous when it comes to winter driving? MoneyGeek analyzed winter driving fatalities, looked at the states with the best and worst drivers, and adjusted fatality rates for vehicle miles traveled in each state in order to assess which states are the most dangerous for winter driving. The metrics were then converted to a 100-point scale and weighed to determine a final winter driving danger score. Here are the top 10 most dangerous states for winter driving.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Danazar

New York | Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #10

  • New York recorded 82 winter driving fatalities (rank = 4) from 2017-2020; adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, New York ranks #20 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts New York drivers as #4 in the nation for driving safety.

Minnesota| Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #9

  • Minnesota recorded 69 winter driving fatalities (rank = 5) from 2017-2020;adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, Minnesota ranks #12 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts Minnesota drivers as #2 in the nation for driving safety.

North Dakota | Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #8

  • North Dakota recorded 19 winter driving fatalities (rank = 23) from 2017-2020;adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, North Dakota ranks #4 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts North Dakota drivers as #28 in the nation for driving safety.
Photo: Pixy.org

Wisconsin | Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #7

  • Wisconsin recorded 65 winter driving fatalities (rank = 6) from 2017-2020; adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, Wisconsin ranks #14 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts Wisconsin drivers as #20 in the nation for driving safety.

Ohio | Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #6

  • Ohio recorded 90 winter driving fatalities (rank = 2) from 2017-2020; adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, Ohio ranks #17 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts Ohio drivers as #13 in the nation for driving safety.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Djembayz

Montana | Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #5

  • Montana recorded 23 winter driving fatalities (rank = 17) from 2017-2020; adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, Montana ranks #5 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts Montana drivers as #37 in the nation for driving safety.

Pennsylvania | Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #4

  • Pennsylvania recorded 85 winter driving fatalities (rank = 3) from 2017-2020;adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, Pennsylvania ranks #15 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts Pennsylvania drivers as #29 in the nation for driving safety.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/MR. Pockets

Wyoming | Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #3

  • Wyoming recorded 30 winter driving fatalities (rank = 14) from 2017-2020; adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, Wyoming ranks #2 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts Wyoming drivers as #27 in the nation for driving safety.

Alaska | Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #2

  • Alaska recorded 18 winter driving fatalities (rank = 24) from 2017-2020; adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, Alaska ranks #1 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts Alaska drivers as #36 in the nation for driving safety.

Michigan | Overall Winter Driving Danger Rank:  #1

  • Michigan recorded 162 winter driving fatalities (rank = 1) from 2017-2020; adjusted for vehicle miles traveled in the state, Michigan ranks #7 for winter driving fatalities.
  • MoneyGeek’s ranking of the safest drivers puts Michigan drivers as #8 in the nation for driving safety.
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