BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) -- During the holiday season, many people look to shipping services like Amazon to help ensure their holiday gifts arrive on time. As a result, this time is understandably stressful for people in the delivery industry -- and when pressure is combined with difficult weather conditions and open spaces, it can lead to dangerous situations, especially in a state like North Dakota.

In a study by personal injury lawyers with H&P Law, researchers used data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System to track delivery vehicle accidents between 2018 and 2022 in each state. When each area's number of crashes was weighed against the number of residents, it was discovered that delivery drivers are more at risk in ND than almost anywhere else in the nation.

For every 100,000 residents of North Dakota, an estimated 1.28 delivery vehicle accidents take place -- which results in a total number of 10 between 2018 and 2022. While the statistic does not sound bad on its own, it is fairly significant when compared to the state's overall population, to the point of being one of the highest rates in the nation. In contrast to these higher numbers, states like Hawaii, Rhode Island, and even our sister state South Dakota are on average much safer for delivery drivers, as evidenced by lower accident rates.

"Delivery drivers are at an increased risk of road accidents during the rush and crush of the Christmas season, especially with millions of people ordering gifts via next-day delivery services, and drivers having to meet a certain quota of deliveries," says H&P Law Partner Matthew Pfau in a statement about the data. "It is vital that drivers prioritize safety while on the road, ensuring that they check ahead for weather conditions, and checking that vehicles are safe and roadworthy. It is especially important to check that brakes are working correctly, as these can be the difference between life and death on slippery roads. Drivers must also follow basic safety rules on the road - eyes on the road, no texting while driving, and don't drive tired."

Even if one isn't a delivery driver, many of the same important ways for them to stay safe on the road also apply to typical travelers. For more information about safe driving in North Dakota, visit Vision Zero's website here.