New Study Ranks America’s Safest States for Walking at Night; West Virginia Tops List

West Virginia reported the lowest pedestrian fatality rate at intersections nationwide, an annual average of 0.45 nighttime pedestrian fatalities at intersections per million residents.
Wyoming and Rhode Island follow closely in terms of pedestrian safety, each recording 0.69 and 0.74 nighttime pedestrian intersection deaths per million residents, respectively.

New Mexico stands at 7.86 nighttime crosswalk fatalities per million residents, the highest among all the U.S. states analyzed.

A new study revealed that West Virginia reported the nation’s lowest nighttime pedestrian fatality rate at intersections.

A new study byWilk Law Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers analyzed nighttime pedestrian fatality data at intersections from the CDAN Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) across all 50 U.S. states from 2019 to 2023. The study measured Average Nighttime Pedestrian Fatalities at Intersections per Million Residents, with lower numbers indicating a lower likelihood of fatal incidents involving pedestrians after dark.

West Virginia ranks first with an average of 0.45 nighttime pedestrian fatalities at intersections per million residents, 84.8% lower than the national average of 2.96 nighttime pedestrian fatalities at intersections per million residents. Among its 1,782,379 residents, the Mountain State recorded an annual average of 1 fatality between 2019 and 2023. The highest number was reported in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 (1 death each) and none in 2020 .

Wyoming ranks second with an average of 0.69 nighttime pedestrian fatalities at intersections per million residents, 76.7% lower than the national average of 2.96. Home to 580,133 residents, the Equality State reported an annual average of 0 deaths between 2019 and 2023. The highest number of deaths occurred in 2019 and 2023 (1 death each), while zero deaths were recorded in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Rhode Island ranks third with an average of 0.74 nighttime pedestrian fatalities at intersections per million residents, 75% lower than the national average of 2.96 nighttime pedestrian fatalities at intersections per million residents. With a population of 1,088,222, the Ocean State recorded an annual average of 1 fatality between 2019 and 2023. Deaths peaked in 2020 (2) and were lowest in 2019 and 2021 (0 deaths).

Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Wilk Law Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers commented:

“According to the study, states like West Virginia, Wyoming and Rhode Island have shown the lowest rates of nighttime pedestrian fatalities at cross-section. These states have demonstrated that thoughtful planning and proactive safety initiatives can make a measurable difference in saving lives at night.

“Lower nighttime fatality rates often reflect stronger crosswalk lighting, safer road design, and a culture of driver awareness. By studying what is working in these locations – such as improved intersection visibility, pedestrian-activated signals, and community education – other states can adopt similar practices to reduce risks.”

Maine ranks fourth with an average of 0.87 nighttime pedestrian fatalities at intersections per million residents. That’s 70.6% below the national average of 2.96. Among its 1,372,408 residents, the Pine Tree State recorded an annual average of 1 nighttime pedestrian death at intersections between 2019 and 2023. The highest number of deaths was recorded in 2020 and 2021 (2 each), while the zero occurred in 2023.

Iowa ranks fifth with an average of 0.88 nighttime pedestrian fatalities at intersections per million residents, 70.3% below the national average of 2.96. Home to 3,189,315 residents, the Hawkeye State reported an annual average of 3 nighttime pedestrian intersection deaths between 2019 and 2023. 2020 saw the highest fatalities(5 deaths), and 2021 had the lowest (1 death).

Idaho ranks sixth with 1.06 nighttime pedestrian fatalities at intersections per million residents, followed by North Dakota (7th) at 1.29, New Hampshire (8th) at 1.30, Kansas (9th) at 1.36, and Mississippi (10th) at 1.63.

Table for Extended Results:

Top 10 States With the Lowest Nighttime Pedestrian Intersection Fatality Rates (2019–2023)
State	Average Nighttime Pedestrian Fatality at Intersection per Million Residents	Rank
West Virginia	0.45	1
Wyoming	0.69	2
Rhode Island	0.74	3
Maine	0.87	4
Iowa	0.88	5
Idaho	1.06	6
North Dakota	1.29	7
New Hampshire	1.30	8
Kansas	1.36	9
Mississippi	1.63	10

The study was conducted by Wilk Law Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers. This Pennsylvania-based firm represents victims of negligence in cases involving vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability, and wrongful death.

ENDS

P.S. If using this story, please credit and link to https://wilklawfirm.com/

Methodology

The study analyzed nighttime pedestrian fatality data at intersections across all 50 U.S. states between 2019 and 2023, sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). It measured Average Nighttime Pedestrian Fatalities at Intersections per Million Residents to identify where pedestrians face the lowest per-capita risk of being killed while crossing at night. Lower numbers indicate a lower likelihood of nighttime pedestrian deaths relative to population size.

Data Source