New research reveals the 20 most dangerous states in the U.S. for school runs — and Wyoming leads the pack with the highest rate of fatal crashes involving children.
According to a new study by Whitley Law Firm, Wyoming is the most dangerous state for school runs, reporting 13.91 fatal crashes per 100,000 people involving children aged 14 or under between 2018 and 2022. The firm analyzed weekday crash data to determine which states posed the highest risk to children during typical school commuting hours.
The research examined crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), focusing specifically on fatal accidents involving children aged 14 or younger, occurring Monday through Friday — the most common days for school travel.
Top 10 Most Dangerous States for School Runs
| Rank | State | Total Child Fatal Crashes (2018–2022) | Rate per 100,000 People |
| 1 | Wyoming | 74 | 13.91 |
| 2 | Arkansas | 348 | 12.11 |
| 3 | Mississippi | 314 | 11.38 |
| 4 | South Carolina | 520 | 11.33 |
| 5 | New Mexico | 209 | 11.31 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 483 | 11.08 |
| 7 | Alabama | 482 | 10.54 |
| 8 | West Virginia | 147 | 10.26 |
| 9 | Kentucky | 415 | 10.05 |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 385 | 9.80 |
Wyoming’s top ranking is particularly alarming given its relatively small population, indicating that the number of child fatalities is disproportionately high. In total, the state saw 74 fatal crashes involving children under 15 during school days over five years.
Notable Trends in the Top 10 States
Arkansas, which ranks second, recorded 348 child-involved fatal crashes over the same five-year span, resulting in 12.11 fatalities per 100,000 people. Similarly, Mississippi, at third place, had 314 such crashes, translating to 11.38 per 100,000.
South Carolina and New Mexico follow closely behind, each with rates above 11 fatal crashes per 100,000, signaling a consistent pattern in the Southern and Western U.S. states.
Even in Alabama, which ranks seventh, children remain significantly at risk, with 10.54 fatal crashes per 100,000 people during weekday hours.
Full Top 20 Ranking
| Rank | State | Child Fatal Crashes | Per 100K Rate |
| 11 | Tennessee | 602 | 9.52 |
| 12 | Missouri | 531 | 9.48 |
| 13 | North Carolina | 870 | 9.24 |
| 14 | North Dakota | 70 | 9.24 |
| 15 | Montana | 86 | 8.93 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 80 | 8.83 |
| 17 | Alaska | 63 | 8.55 |
| 18 | Florida | 1,507 | 8.55 |
| 19 | Georgia | 825 | 8.07 |
| 20 | Kansas | 226 | 7.98 |
Florida’s numbers are especially notable, with 1,507 child fatalities across school days during the study period — the highest raw total of any state, though its per capita rate is lower at 8.55.
Commentary from Whitley Law Firm
A spokesperson for Whitley Law Firm emphasized the importance of school route safety:
“Mornings and afternoons see heavy traffic around schools, increasing the risk of accidents. Kids can be distracted by phones, friends, or rushing to school, which makes them less aware of their surroundings.
Buses can be particularly dangerous, as children can be hit by vehicles passing while they enter or exit school buses. Also, not all school routes have proper pedestrian crossings or traffic lights.
Ensuring safer school runs is crucial for children’s overall well-being, confidence, and ability to engage positively in their education.”
Methodology
The study used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) to identify fatal crashes involving children aged 14 and under that occurred Monday to Friday across all 50 states from 2018 to 2022.
Population figures from the United States Census Bureau (2022) were used to calculate fatal crash rates per 100,000 people. The rankings reflect these adjusted per capita rates, highlighting where the risks are greatest relative to state size.
