Rhode Island Relatively Safe For Driving After Dark: Study

A recent study ranked Rhode Island among the safer states in America when it comes to driving after dark.

The study, conducted by the researchers at eyewear brand Overnight Glasses, "looked at the share of fatal crashes occurring after dark and what percentage of those happened on unlit roads," according to a media release accompanying the results of the study.

"The report also measured how many residents report vision difficulty and what share of each state's drivers are aged 65 or older," the release said.

"Pedestrian fatality rates, night-vision-related online searches, and average annual rainfall were also considered," according to the release. "Each state received a score from 0 to 100, with lower scores pointing to worse conditions on the road after dark."

Rhode Island ended up the 15th safest state, one spot above Kansas and following Connecticut.

The safest was Utah with Minnesota and North Dakota placing second and third.

The most dangerous state for driving after dark was Louisiana.

"Over the past five years, 2,289 people died in nighttime crashes here, which is more than half of all fatal accidents recorded in the state," the release said.

"Of those, 62% happened on roads with no lighting at all, meaning the majority of crashes occurred where drivers couldn't see more than their headlights would allow," according to the release. "The driver population adds to the risk as well, as more than a quarter of licensed motorists in Louisiana are aged 65 or older."

The second most dangerous state for driving after dark was Mississippi, followed by New Mexico in third.

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