RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS) - As Tennesseans prepare for the busy holiday travel season, a new study is raising concerns about safety on the state's roadways.

According to an analysis by DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, Tennessee ranks eighth in the nation for holiday season road danger. The study found the Volunteer State averages 29.2 motor vehicle fatalities during Halloween Week and 21.0 fatalities during Thanksgiving Week, placing its per-capita fatality rates among the highest in the country.

Only Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana, Montana, Arkansas, and New Mexico ranked higher. Neighboring Mississippi claimed the top spot, while Arkansas placed sixth. Georgia rounded out the top 10.

Researchers say Tennessee's ranking is not driven by a single cause. Instead, several factors combine to make holiday travel particularly hazardous, including heavier traffic volumes, longer trips, distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, nighttime travel, and seasonal weather conditions.

Halloween brings its own unique challenges. Thousands of children and families take to neighborhood streets after dark, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of pedestrian crashes. Drivers are also more likely to encounter congested neighborhoods, parties, and distractions.

Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Highways become crowded with families heading to gatherings, while long hours behind the wheel can lead to driver fatigue. In Middle Tennessee, heavily traveled routes such as Interstate 24, Interstate 40, Interstate 65, and State Route 840 often see significant increases in traffic.

Christmas and New Year's add another layer of concern. Holiday celebrations frequently involve alcohol, and more motorists find themselves on the roads late at night. Winter weather, even in small amounts, can make conditions more dangerous, particularly on bridges and elevated roadways.

State safety officials have consistently identified three behaviors that contribute to many fatal crashes during holiday periods: speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving.

As travel picks up in the weeks ahead, experts say the safest approach is also the simplest: buckle up, slow down, avoid distractions, and never drive impaired.

For Tennessee drivers, the greatest holiday risk often isn't snow or ice. It's sharing the road with motorists who are speeding, distracted, fatigued, or under the influence.