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Nationwide, fatal crashes occur disproportionately in rural areas. Data from the DOT shows that rural roads account for only 32% of vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. — yet 40% of all roadway fatalities happen on rural roads.
Though cities are statistically safer for drivers, urban roads are by no means immune to the hazards associated with winter driving, especially in some cities. There were more than 1,200 fatal winter-weather crashes across 244 U.S. metropolitan areas between 2017 and 2021. These deadly crashes were especially concentrated in certain cities. (Here is a look at the most challenging American cities to drive in. )
Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , 24/7 Wall St. identified the worst American cities for winter driving. Metro areas are ranked on the total number of fatal crashes between 2017 and 2021 in winter weather conditions — including snow, sleet, and freezing rain — for every 100,000 commuters who either drive or carpool to work. To calculate fatal crash rates in winter weather, county data was aggregated up to the metro area level and adjusted using five-year commuting data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. Metro areas with fewer than five fatal winter-weather crashes between 2017 and 2021 were excluded from analysis.