Study Identifies the U.S. States With the Deadliest Christmas Roads for Young Drivers – Mississippi Ranks #8

By Clinton Courier | December 19, 2025 |

A new study reveals that Mississippi is the eighth most dangerous 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 risk levels.

Mississippi ranks eighth with 2.73 December fatal crashes per 100,000 young residents.

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

“These findings underscore the heightened dangers young drivers face during the Christmas travel period – especially in high-risk states such as Mississippi.

“Seasonal increases in travel, hazardous winter road conditions, increased holiday traffic, and a greater share of nighttime driving all combine to elevate the likelihood of fatal crashes among young motorists. Strengthening targeted enforcement, expanding public safety awareness campaigns, and investing in safer roadway design can play a crucial role in helping states reduce these preventable tragedies during the holiday season.”

What Young Drivers in High-Risk States Should Know

Safety advocates recommend these evidence-based strategies:

Avoid late-night holiday travel whenever possible, as most December young-driver fatalities occur after dark.
Reduce speed on unfamiliar or winter-affected roads, especially during heavy holiday traffic.
Eliminate all distractions: silence phone notifications, use hands-free navigation, and avoid multitasking while driving.
Ensure your vehicle is winter-ready by checking tires, brakes, lights, and windshield visibility before long Christmas trips.
Always wear a seatbelt and make sure all passengers are buckled; proper restraint significantly reduces fatal-crash risk for young drivers.

Table for Extended Results:

Top 10 U.S. States Where December Fatal Crashes Among Young Drivers Are Most Common
State	December Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Young Residents	Rank
New Mexico	3.55	1
Alabama	3.25	2
Oklahoma	3.19	3
Florida	3.09	4
West Virginia	3.07	5
Delaware	2.96	6
Louisiana	2.73	7
Mississippi	2.73	8
Tennessee	2.68	9
Arizona	2.68	10

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.

Methodology

The research examined federal crash records from the California Department of Transportation’s Crash Data Analysis and Statistics (CDAN) Query Tool covering 2019 to 2023, with a focus on fatal December crashes involving young drivers aged 15–24. To ensure an accurate, population-adjusted comparison across states, the study incorporated U.S. Census Bureau 2019–2023 State Population Estimates for residents aged 15–24, allowing crash rates to be calculated per 100,000 young people rather than relying on raw fatal-crash totals.

Data Sources