Key Takeaways
- New York ranks #3 in the nation for rush-hour safety, with just 1.34 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, 56.2% lower than the national average of 3.06.
- Between 2020 and 2024, New York averaged 265.8 rush-hour fatal crashes every year, with 94.6 occurring during the morning commute (6 am–9 am) and 171.2 during the evening commute (5 pm–8 pm).
- Despite having one of the nation’s largest populations, New York’s dense transportation network, extensive public transit options, and shorter driving distances help keep rush-hour fatal crash rates among the lowest in the country.
For New York commuters, the daily drive to and from work is among the safest in America. At just 1.34 rush-hour fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, the state ranks third nationwide, behind only Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and well below the national average of 3.06.
An analysis conducted by Beck & Beck examined rush-hour fatal crash data across all 50 U.S. states from 2020 to 2024, drawing on average annual population figures for the same period. Morning rush hour covers Monday through Friday, 6 am to 9 am; evening rush hour covers Monday through Friday, 5 pm to 8 pm. Morning and evening totals were combined and normalized against population to produce an Average Annual Total Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Population figure, with states ranked from lowest to highest.
New York at a Glance
| Metric | Value |
| National Rank (Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Population) | #3 |
| Avg. Annual Morning Rush Fatal Crashes (6 am–9 am) | 94.6 |
| Avg. Annual Evening Rush Fatal Crashes (5 pm–8 pm) | 171.2 |
| Avg. Annual Total Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes | 265.8 |
Top 10 Safest States for Rush-Hour Driving
Table 1: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York Record the Nation’s Lowest Per-Capita Rush-Hour Fatal Crash Rates
| Rank | State | Avg. Annual Morning Rush Fatal Crashes | Avg. Annual Evening Rush Fatal Crashes | Avg. Annual Total Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes | Rush-Hour Fatal Crash Rate (per 100k) |
| 1 | Rhode Island | 4.8 | 8.0 | 12.8 | 1.16 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 29.8 | 54.2 | 84.0 | 1.20 |
| 3 | New York | 94.6 | 171.2 | 265.8 | 1.34 |
| 4 | Hawaii | 7.2 | 16.2 | 23.4 | 1.62 |
| 5 | New Jersey | 56.6 | 104.6 | 161.2 | 1.73 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 43.8 | 64.8 | 108.6 | 1.89 |
| 7 | Connecticut | 20.8 | 49.8 | 70.6 | 1.95 |
| 8 | Maryland | 43.2 | 79.4 | 122.6 | 1.98 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 9.6 | 18.8 | 28.4 | 2.04 |
| 10 | Illinois | 95.0 | 168.6 | 263.6 | 2.08 |
New York ranks third nationwide with 1.34 rush-hour fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, 15.5% higher than Rhode Island (1.16), 11.7% higher than Massachusetts (1.20), and 17.3% lower than fourth-ranked Hawaii (1.62). Evening rush hour accounts for the larger share of fatalities, with 171.2 crashes annually compared to 94.6 during the morning commute.
How New York Compares to the Nation’s Highest-Ranking States
Table 2: Average Annual Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Population, 2020–2024
| State | National Rank | Avg. Annual Total Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes | Rush-Hour Fatal Crash Rate (per 100k) | New York vs. State |
| New York | #3 | 265.8 | 1.34 | 1.0x |
| South Carolina | #47 | 240.4 | 4.54 | 3.39x lower |
| New Mexico | #48 | 98.8 | 4.66 | 3.48x lower |
| Arkansas | #49 | 157.4 | 5.16 | 3.85x lower |
| Mississippi | #50 | 178.8 | 6.07 | 4.53x lower |
New York’s rush-hour fatal crash rate is more than three times lower than South Carolina’s and New Mexico’s, nearly four times lower than Arkansas’s, and more than four and a half times lower than Mississippi’s.
New York’s Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes: Morning vs. Evening
Table 3: Average Annual Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes, 2020–2024
| Time Period | New York Avg. Annual Fatal Crashes | National Average Annual Fatal Crashes | Safety Advantage vs. National Average |
| Morning Rush (6 am–9 am) | 94.6 | 68.6 | 37.9% higher |
| Evening Rush (5 pm–8 pm) | 171.2 | 120.68 | 41.9% higher |
| Total Rush Hour | 265.8 | 189.28 | 40.4% higher |
| Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Population | 1.34 | 3.06 | 56.2% lower |
Although New York records more rush-hour fatal crashes than the national average in absolute terms, its large population means the per-capita risk remains exceptionally low. At 1.34 rush-hour fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, New York’s rate is 56.2% lower than the national average, making it the third-safest state for commuters nationwide.
Methodology
The study examined rush-hour fatal crash data across all 50 U.S. states from 2020 to 2024, drawing on average annual population figures for the same period. Morning rush hour covers Monday through Friday, 6 am to 9 am; evening rush hour covers Monday through Friday, 5 pm to 8 pm. Morning and evening totals were combined and normalized against population to produce an Average Annual Total Rush-Hour Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Population figure, with states ranked from lowest to highest.
Data Sources
Rush Hour Crash Data:
Research Datasheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wZpU_wL9Ih9fZgQAmt44xMC67Z8Ly4MNNalA6gjB5_c/edit?gid=1892653510#gid=1892653510
Study By:
https://becklawmo.com/
About Beck & Beck
Beck & Beck is a Missouri-based law firm specializing in vehicle accident representation, including motorcycle and car crash cases. The firm assists clients with injury claims, medical care coordination, insurance negotiations, and accident-related litigation.
