TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Solo travelers are increasingly vulnerable to various risks, despite the current era of connectivity making information more accessible. A new study has revealed a list of the most dangerous US states for solo travelers.
Reported by New York Postsolo travel is now a popular trend, with 76 percent of millennials and Zoomers planning to travel alone in the next 12 months. According to Aquent, the solo travel market is valued at over 500 billion U.S. dollars or approximately Rp8 quadrillion per year.
However, solo travelers face unique vulnerabilities because they do not have a companion to deal with emergency situations, such as vehicle accidents, health problems, or legal issues. Lawyer Elliot Silver stated, “Solo travelers face unique vulnerabilities not experienced by groups. When something goes wrong, whether it’s a car accident, a medical emergency, or legal trouble, you don’t have a backup.”
For those planning to solo travel in the United Statesit’s advisable to consider safe destinations. A study conducted by the Silver Law Firm found that the most dangerous U.S. state to traverse alone is New Mexico. The study emphasizes the importance of extra preparation for solo travelers, especially in remote areas, to minimize the risks that could be fatal without immediate assistance.
The study conducted by the Silver Law Firm utilized data from the FBI, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and other official sources. The assessment covered levels of violent and property crimes, road safety, emergency access, and transportation infrastructure. Each state was given a “solo travel safety score” from 0 to 100, where a low score indicates a higher level of danger.
As a result, New Mexico emerged as the most dangerous state with a score of 0.00. Its vast rural areas often lack cell phone signals or gas stations at a distance, combined with high levels of violent and property crimes above the national average, and vehicle accidents. Despite being popular for hikers and drivers due to national parks and scenic roads, solo travelers are advised to download offline maps, carry extra water and supplies, and share details of their planned activities with close contacts.
In second place is Arkansas with a score of 10.39, followed by Tennessee in third place with a score of 13.68. In Tennessee, despite cities like Nashville and Memphis being popular with tourists, rural areas remain highly risky. Solo travelers exploring there are urged to plan routes carefully and inform someone of their check-in schedule.
Conversely, Massachusetts was hailed as the safest state with a perfect score of 100.00. Its advantages include low crime rates, easy road access, compact geography, dense population, and reliable cell phone signals almost everywhere.
Az Zahra Suherman’s daughter contributed to the writing of this article.
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