Why North Dakota Is a Top State for Public Safety and Infrastructure

Transportation infrastructure plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth flow of goods and people, enabling access to essential services, and fostering economic growth. Conversely, inadequate infrastructure can lead to accidents, economic losses, and social disparities. ProTrainings has ranked the best and worst states for public safety and infrastructure, with South Dakota emerging as the top-ranked state.

Get our free mobile app

1. South Dakota Despite having a relatively high percentage of structurally deficient bridges, South Dakota ranks first due to its exceptional emergency health care services, short commute times, and moderate internet coverage. The state’s strategic investments in emergency management and disaster response have significantly improved public safety, ensuring rapid response times in emergencies.

4. North Dakota Ranked fourth, North Dakota performs well with a low percentage of structurally deficient bridges, short commute times, and moderate internet coverage. Although its emergency healthcare ranking is slightly lower than South Dakota’s, the state's focus on rural healthcare infrastructure contributes to improved public safety.

6. Wyoming Wyoming secures the sixth spot due to its decent emergency health care ranking, moderate percentage of structurally deficient bridges, and relatively short commute times. Wyoming’s ongoing investments in rural healthcare facilities and services are key to enhancing access to quality care in underserved areas.

If you're wondering what state is the absolute worst regarding public safety and infrastructure, it's Maryland! The Old Line State has the longest commute time and the worst emergency health care ranking, greatly outweighing its outstanding internet service. The state's health care and travel problems significantly affect its overall performance, even though the number of physically damaged bridges is modest. The spike in medical errors in Maryland brought on by a scarcity of hospital employees emphasizes how important long-term planning is.

Methodology The rankings were determined by evaluating key factors such as commute times, roadway infrastructure, emergency healthcare, and internet coverage. These elements provide a comprehensive view of public safety, with each state's score derived from linked data sources and a weighted ranking system.

The rankings highlight the critical role of transportation and public safety infrastructure in shaping economic prosperity and quality of life across the U.S.