New Study Identifies the U.S. States With the Safest Christmas Roads for Young Drivers

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• New Hampshire records the lowest rate of December fatal crashes involving young drivers, averaging 0.47 crashes per 100,000 residents aged 15–24.
• Alaska (second) and North Dakota (third) follow with 0.63 and 0.72 crashes per 100,000 young people, respectively.
• On the other hand, New Mexico recorded 3.55 December fatal crashes per 100,000 young residents, the highest among all U.S. states analyzed.

A new study reveals that New Hampshire is the safest state in the U.S. for young drivers during the Christmas travel season.

The research by personal injury attorneys at Kuzyk Law examined federal crash data from the California Department of Transportation’s Crash Data Analysis and Statistics (CDAN) Query Tool spanning 2019 to 2023. The study focused specifically on fatal December crashes involving young drivers, comparing these incidents against each state’s population of residents aged 15 to 24 to determine relative safety levels.

• New Hampshire leads the nation in young-driver safety during December with 0.47 fatal crashes per 100,000 young residents.
• Alaska ranks second with 0.63 December fatal crashes per 100,000 young residents.
• North Dakota ranks third with 0.72 December fatal crashes per 100,000 young residents.
• New York ranks fourth with 0.76 December fatal crashes per 100,000 young residents.
• Rhode Island ranks fifth with 0.81 December fatal crashes per 100,000 young residents.

Looking at the study, Mark Anderson, attorney at Kuzyk Law, commented:

“These findings highlight the encouraging safety trends for young drivers in states such as New Hampshire, Alaska, and North Dakota, where December crash risks remain significantly lower than the national average.

“Improved winter road preparedness, strong traffic enforcement, and proactive public safety programs appear to play a key role in reducing fatal crash risks for young motorists during the holiday season. Continued investment in road safety initiatives and responsible driving behavior can help sustain these positive outcomes throughout future Christmas travel periods.”

What Parents of Young Drivers Should Do

Safety advocates recommend these evidence-based strategies:

1. Encourage young drivers to share their holiday travel plans in advance, including routes, weather expectations, and expected return times.
2. Reinforce zero-tolerance rules for speeding, impaired driving, and phone use behind the wheel to reduce risky behavior.
3. Review winter-driving essentials together, such as handling skids, braking on icy surfaces, and adjusting to sudden visibility changes.
4. Remind young drivers to avoid fatigue by taking breaks, sharing driving responsibilities, or delaying travel when overtired.
5. Ensure vehicles are properly prepared for long trips by checking tire pressure, fluid levels, emergency kits, and winter equipment.

Massachusetts ranks sixth at 0.85, followed by Minnesota (7th) at 0.91, New Jersey (8th) at 1.02, Wyoming (9th) at 1.06, and Michigan (10th) at 1.10.

Table for Extended Results: 

The study was conducted by Kuzyk Law, a law firm specializing in representation for car accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, bike, pedestrian, and catastrophic injury claims. With over four decades of experience and a track record serving 100,000+ clients, they offer free consultations and no upfront fees.

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