WASHINGTON — When it comes to deaths from unintended injuries, the D.C. metro area is much safer than most in the country, according to research from the National Safety Council.

“Maryland, Virginia and D.C. are developing interventions that are actually making their citizens safer,” says NSC President Deborah Hersman.

“This region can really take a lot of credit for doing things right.”

Maryland, Virginia and D.C. all make the top ten for safest states in the nation.

The state with the most deaths from unintended injuries is not far away.  West Virginia ranks last on the list, due largely to a high number of accidental prescription drug overdose deaths.

In the D.C. metro area, a number of efforts have been successful in boosting safety statistics, according to Hersman.  She points to laws aimed at preventing deadly car crashes, such as texting while driving bans.

Hersman also credits programs that seek to reduce the number of overdose deaths from prescription pain killers.