A day dedicated to the celebration of love, Valentine’s Day often comes with an increase in road traffic. With couples rushing to make it to their restaurant reservations, friends celebrating “Galentine’s,” and final-mile drivers hurrying to deliver flowers and chocolates, fleet drivers should remain alert on the road.
Data analysis from personal injury experts at John Foy & Associates indicates a 4% increase in the likelihood of fatal car accidents surrounding Valentine’s Day compared to an average day.
The study also revealed the most dangerous states to drive during Valentine’s Day, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System over a five-year period from 2018 to 2022. The data was pulled from the 15 days surrounding the Valentine’s Day holiday—February 7-21.
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Most dangerous states for road travel during Valentine’s Day
No 5: Massachusetts
Though you might need to travel to “where everybody knows your name,” Valentine’s Day isn’t the best time to do so.
Massachusetts ranked fifth among the most dangerous states to drive during the two-week period surrounding the holiday, with an average of 57 crashes. These crashes account for 3.18% of the state’s overall collisions.
On February 14 alone, Massachusetts’ average crash count is six, with a crash rate of 0.334%.
No. 4: South Dakota
During Valentine’s Day, the whole state of South Dakota becomes the “Badlands.”
It ranked as the fourth worst for road travel during the holiday. Over the five years analyzed, South Dakota saw an average of 18 crashes during the two-week period in February, which accounts for 3.09% of the state’s overall crashes.
South Dakota’s crash rate for February 14 is 0.342%, with an average of two crashes.
No. 3: Rhode Island
Rhode Island often tops dangerous roads lists, and this list is no exception.
The state comes in third as the worst for road travel during Valentine’s Day. Over the 15-day period analyzed, Rhode Island has an average of six fatal traffic collisions, accounting for 2.09% of the state’s yearly collisions.
On Valentine’s Day alone, a state average of one crash over the five-year period accounts for a crash rate of 0.347%.
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No. 2: Wyoming
While the Cowboy State might be friendly to travel on horseback, road travelers will want to steer clear during Valentine’s Day.
The state ranks second among the most dangerous to travel during the 15-day period surrounding the sweethearts’ holiday. The data analyzed saw an average of 14 fatal collisions for the state, accounting for 2.53% of Wyoming’s overall crashes.
On Valentine’s Day specifically, Wyoming’s crash rate is 0.360%, with an average of two crashes.
No. 1: West Virginia
While Virginia might be for lovers, its neighbor, West Virginia, is not.
West Virginia is officially the most dangerous state for road travel during the weeks surrounding Valentine's Day, as it has the highest rate of fatal traffic collisions over the period.
Data from the five-year period reveals an average of 44 fatal collisions during the 15-day timeframe, accounting for 3.97% of the state’s overall collisions.
On February 14, alone, West Virginia’s average crash rate is 0.393%, with an average of five collisions.
The complete list of states that make up the top 10 list of most dangerous states to travel to during Valentine's Day is listed in the chart below:
Safest states for road travel during Valentine’s Day
The law firm that conducted the study crowned five states as the safest to travel during Valentine’s Day because of their absence of crashes during the 15-day period surrounding the holiday. These states are as follows:
- Hawaii
- Delaware
- Alaska
- Vermont
- North Dakota
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Fleet and commercial drivers that must remain on the road during this 15-day period should exercise caution when traveling.
“Couples who are out celebrating will often drink alcohol, and the risk of impaired driving can rise,” John Foy & Associates shared in a release. “Even a small amount of alcohol can affect reaction times and decision-making. ... For those driving, plan your route and allow extra time to reach your destination.”
