A new study reveals that Arizona is experiencing the fourth-highest pedestrian fatality risk during the Christmas season.
The research conducted by Missouri-based personal injury law firm Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers analyzed December pedestrian fatality records across all U.S. states from 2014 to 2023 using NHTSA’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST). The dataset compiled total pedestrian deaths occurring specifically during December, when holiday travel, shopping activity, and reduced daylight hours tend to heighten danger. The totals were averaged over the decade and then standardized based on each state’s average population to calculate fatalities per 100,000 residents.
Arizona ranks fourth with 3.24 fatalities per 100,000 residents, which is 74% higher than the national average of 1.86. The state recorded 231 December pedestrian deaths across 7,123,545 residents during the period studied.
A spokesperson from Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers commented:
“The findings reveal a troubling and consistent pattern in states such as Arizona, where December poses a significantly higher risk for pedestrians compared to the rest of the year.
“These elevated figures reflect a combination of seasonal factors, holiday travel, congested shopping areas, increased alcohol-related incidents, and reduced daylight hours, all of which create conditions that make walking noticeably more dangerous.”
“These insights serve as an important reminder that a festive season should not come at the cost of public safety, and greater awareness can help prevent many of these tragic incidents.”
Table for Extended Results:
| Top 10 Most Dangerous States for Pedestrians During the Christmas Season | ||
| States | December Pedestrian Fatalities per 100,000 Residents | Rank |
| New Mexico | 4.01 | 1 |
| Florida | 3.51 | 2 |
| South Carolina | 3.30 | 3 |
| Arizona | 3.24 | 4 |
| Louisiana | 3.19 | 5 |
| Delaware | 3.06 | 6 |
| Nevada | 2.81 | 7 |
| Mississippi | 2.70 | 8 |
| California | 2.69 | 9 |
| Georgia | 2.57 | 10 |
The study was conducted by Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, an experienced law firm specializing in vehicle accident representation, handling everything from initial claim evaluation and medical care coordination to aggressive negotiations with insurance companies.
Methodology
The study analyzed December pedestrian fatality records across all U.S. states from 2014 to 2023 using NHTSA’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST). The dataset compiled total pedestrian deaths occurring specifically during December, when holiday travel, shopping activity, and reduced daylight hours tend to heighten danger. The totals were averaged over the decade and then standardized based on each state’s average population to calculate fatalities per 100,000 residents.
Data Sources:
- Pedestrian Crash Data → https://cdan.dot.gov/query
- Research Dataset → https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MQw_7XbFKBYCT6WLsXE6AhGzWph1b2D3oEdMwx-hI7Q/edit?gid=0#gid=0
