Holiday travel is in full swing, and as millions of Americans take to the roads, a new nationwide analysis highlights just how dangerous driving can become this time of year—especially in certain states.
A recent study examining fatal crash data from 2018–2022 reveals which states are most likely to experience multi-vehicle fatal accidents, providing important insight for travelers planning long drives over Christmas and New Year’s. Nationally, 43.17% of fatal crashes involved more than one vehicle during the study period.
Below is a breakdown of the states where multi-vehicle fatal crashes happen most—and least—often, along with what travelers should take away from these findings.
The Top 5 States With the Highest Rates of Multi-Vehicle Fatal Crashes
1. Nebraska — 52.22%
Nebraska tops the list, with more than half of all fatal crashes involving multiple vehicles. Between 2018 and 2022, the state recorded 1,036 fatal crashes—462 involved two vehicles, and 79 involved more than two.
2. Delaware — 47.93%
Nearly 48% of Delaware’s fatal crashes involved multiple vehicles. Out of 605 fatal collisions, 250 involved two vehicles and 40 involved three or more.
3. Indiana — 46.85%
Indiana saw 4,090 fatal crashes during the study period. Of those, 1,587 involved two vehicles and 329 involved more than two, putting it in third place.
4. Michigan — 46.63%
Michigan reported 4,950 fatal crashes; 1,936 involved two vehicles and 372 involved more than two. Almost half of all fatal incidents were multi-vehicle.
5. Oklahoma — 46.45%
Oklahoma recorded 3,111 fatal crashes, with 1,216 involving two vehicles and 229 involving more.
The Bottom 5 States With the Lowest Rates
46. Wyoming — 37.18%
Wyoming’s low traffic density and wide-open roads may help limit multi-vehicle collisions. Of 554 fatal crashes, 206 involved more than one vehicle.
47. Hawaii — 35.34%
Hawaii reported 498 fatal crashes, with 176 involving multiple vehicles.
48. Rhode Island — 34.15%
Out of 287 fatal crashes, 98 involved multiple vehicles.
49. Maine — 34.11%
Maine saw 727 fatal crashes, and 248 of them involved more than one vehicle.
50. Montana — 28.09%
Montana ranks lowest nationwide. Only 28% of its 929 fatal crashes involved multiple vehicles—238 involved two vehicles and just 23 involved more than two.
What These Numbers Tell Us
Nationwide, just under half of all fatal crashes involve more than one vehicle. But the state-to-state differences are significant.
States with higher percentages often have:
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High-traffic corridors
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Busy interstates
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Dense suburban sprawl
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Greater mixing of local and long-distance drivers
Meanwhile, states with lower percentages typically have:
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Lower traffic volumes
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Rural highways with fewer cars interacting
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Long, uninterrupted stretches of roadway
Why This Matters for Holiday Travelers
The holiday season consistently brings a surge of road travel—winter weather, early sunsets, and congested highways only add to the risk.
If you’re hitting the road this Christmas:
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Increase following distance—especially in heavy traffic.
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Slow down on icy or wet roads, even if other drivers don’t.
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Avoid aggressive lane changes when highways become congested.
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Stay alert—multi-vehicle crashes often start with one driver’s momentary lapse.
Understanding where these types of crashes are most common can help travelers prepare, stay alert, and avoid becoming part of the statistics.
Final Thoughts
The data offers an important reminder: while every state faces road-safety challenges, the way we drive—especially during high-traffic holiday periods—can make a life-saving difference.
Whether you’re crossing state lines or simply driving across town, take it slow, be patient, and stay aware of your surroundings. A little extra caution goes a long way toward keeping holiday trips safe.
