Ranking most dangerous states to drive in

WASHINGTON — Drivers cursing the congested commute in the D. C. area may take comfort in knowing the heavy traffic is improving the chances of arriving at their destination alive.

A new analysis of the driving risk in all 50 states (but not the District of Columbia) shows Virginia and Maryland are among the safer states, in large part because of how much driving is done in crowded Northern Virginia, and close-in Maryland.

The website 24/7 Wall Street reviewed state by state fatality data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and urban and rural travel data compiled by the Federal Highway Administration.

According to the analysis, Montana is the most dangerous state to drive in, with 22.6 roadway deaths for every 100,000 residents. With only 4.9 deaths for every 100,000 residents, Massachusetts is the safest state in the country.

Virginia and Maryland score well, because in 22 of the 25 safest states, less than half of all miles driven were in rural areas, where “speeds are higher and there are more two lane roads (where) risk is greater for head-on collisions,” said Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

There is a silver lining to the heavy traffic in the metropolitan area.

“Speeds are lower, there’s more congestion, and that means that fatal crashes are less likely,” Rader told 24/7 Wall Street.

Locally, Virginia was ranked the 35th most dangerous state to drive, with nine road deaths per 100,000 residents. According to the study, the vast majority of miles driven in the commonwealth during the 2013 study period were in urban areas.

In Maryland, safe driving habits were partially responsible for its ranking of 39th most dangerous state, with 7.8 road deaths per 100,000.

While 87 percent of Americans wear seat belts, 91 percent of Marylanders buckled up. In addition, only 19-percent of all driving in Maryland is in rural areas.

Near the other end of the spectrum, West Virginia ranked as the fourth most dangerous state, with 17.9 road deaths per 100,000.

Almost 60 percent of all vehicle miles traveled in West Virginia are in rural areas.

Here’s 24/7 Wall Street’s complete list of most dangerous states to drive in:

1. Montana
2. North Dakota
3. Mississippi
4. West Virginia
5. Oklahoma
6. Alabama
7. Arkansas
8. South Carolina
9. South Dakota
10. Tennessee
11. Louisiana
12. Wyoming
13. New Mexico
14. Kentucky
15. Idaho
16. North Carolina
17. Texas
18. Arizona
19. Missouri
20. Florida
21. Kansas
22. Indiana
23. Georgia
24. Nebraska
25. Vermont
26. Maine
27. Delaware
28. Iowa
29. New Hampshire
30. Michigan
31. Pennsylvania
32. Wisconsin
33. Nevada
34. Colorado
35. Virginia
36. Ohio
37. Oregon
38. California
39. Maryland
40. Connecticut
41. Illinois
42. Utah
43. Hawaii
44. Minnesota
45. Alaska
46. Washington
47. Rhode Island
48. New Jersey
49. New York
50. Massachusetts