The life of an emergency worker in the U.S. is stressful, and it is also hazardous. One source of risk comes from travel and transportation. Arkansas leads nationwide with 30.84 yearly fatal accidents per 100 emergency medical services (EMS) employees. Florida and New Mexico rank second and third, respectively.
The data comes from the personal injury attorneys at Foster Wallace, who conducted new research which identified the U.S. states with the highest rate of fatal road accidents per emergency medical services employee.
The researchers analysed data from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate the average number of fatal accidents per 100 EMS workers in each state. The findings highlight the states where EMS personnel face the greatest workload due to fatal road incidents, and where may be most overwhelmed by demand.
Table: Top 10 States with Highest Rate of Fatal Accidents per 100 EMS Workers
| Rank | State | Yearly Fatal Accidents per 100 EMS Workers | Hour with the Most EMS Notifications | Day with the Highest EMS Notifications |
| 1 | Arkansas | 30.84 | 5:00 PM – 5:59 PM | Saturday |
| 2 | Florida | 27.53 | 6:00 PM – 6:59 PM | Saturday |
| 3 | New Mexico | 27.23 | 6:00 PM – 6:59 PM | Saturday |
| 4 | Oregon | 24.78 | 6:00 PM – 6:59 PM | Saturday |
| 5 | Arizona | 22.55 | 6:00 PM – 6:59 PM | Saturday |
| 6 | Mississippi | 22.16 | 8:00 PM – 8:59 PM | Friday |
| 7 | Alabama | 20.57 | 6:00 PM – 6:59 PM | Saturday |
| 8 | Montana | 20.42 | 8:00 PM – 8:59 PM | Saturday |
| 9 | Hawaii | 19.92 | 8:00 PM – 8:59 PM | Saturday |
| 10 | Idaho | 19.51 | 4:00 PM – 4:59 PM | Saturday |
Arkansas tops the list, with an average of 30.84 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS employees. With only 1,790 EMS workers serving the state, each employee handles a significant number of fatal accidents. Also, the findings revealed that the most common time for fatal accidents in Arkansas is between 5:00 PM and 5:59 PM and that Saturday has the highest rate of EMS notifications across the state.
Florida ranks second, experiencing 27.53 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS workers. Despite having a large EMS workforce of 11,420 employees, the high number of fatal accidents, averaging 3,143.4 annually, places a considerable demand on each EMS worker. The peak hour for fatal accidents in Florida is between 6:00 PM and 6:59 PM, particularly on Saturdays.
This timing of peak demand was also found to be mirrored in New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, and Alabama, which also appear among the top ten states where EMS workers face the biggest pressures.
In New Mexico, which ranks third, there are 27.23 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS employees. With 386.6 fatal accidents annually and only 1,420 EMS workers, the state faces a significant strain on its emergency services.
Oregon is fourth on the list, with 24.78 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS workers. The state averages 493.2 fatal accidents per year, served by 1,990 EMS employees. Arizona ranks fifth, experiencing 22.55 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS employees. With 1,010.2 fatal accidents annually and a combined EMS workforce of 4,480, the state faces considerable demands on its emergency personnel.
Mississippi is in sixth place, with 22.16 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS employees. The state has 640.4 fatal accidents annually and 2,890 EMS workers. Unlike other states appearing among the ranking, the peak hour for fatal accidents requiring EMS notification in Mississippi was revealed to be between 8:00 PM and 8:59 PM on Fridays.
Alabama ranks seventh, with 20.57 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS workers. The state records 876.4 fatal accidents annually and is served by 4,260 EMS employees.
In Montana, ranked eighth, there are 20.42 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS employees. With 185.8 fatal accidents annually and just 910 EMS workers, the state faces significant challenges. The analysis revealed that fatal accidents occur most frequently between 8:00 PM and 8:59 PM on Saturdays in the state.
Hawaii takes the ninth spot, with 19.92 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS workers. The state averages 99.6 fatal accidents annually and has 500 EMS employees. According to the research, the most common time for fatal accidents in Hawaii and therefore, when EMS workers may face the most pressure is between 8:00 PM and 8:59 PM on Saturdays.
Rounding out the top ten is Idaho, with 19.51 yearly fatal accidents per 100 EMS employees. The state experiences 208.8 fatal accidents annually and employs 1,070 EMS personnel. Fatal accidents in Idaho were revealed to be most frequent between 4:00 PM and 4:59 PM on Saturdays.
The study also examined patterns in fatal accidents, revealing that Saturday is the most common day for fatal road accidents requiring EMS notifications in 43 states. Additionally, the data shows that the evening hours, particularly between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, are the most frequent times for fatal accidents.
