Fatal crashes in Oklahoma
In 2024, 645 people died in 594 fatal crashes on Oklahoma roads, 9.3% fewer than in 2023. That is about 2 deaths a day, and 1.6% of all road deaths in the United States.
Oklahoma ranks 24th of 51 by road deaths in 2024, and 12th by deaths per resident. Every state in 2024.
Road deaths in Oklahoma since 1975
Road deaths in Oklahoma peaked in 1982 at 1,054; 2024's 645 is 39% below that. The lowest year was 1987 with 597. 2024 is 1% below 2000 and 15% below 1975.
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 645 | 594 | -9.3% |
| 2023 | 711 | 636 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 710 | 643 | -6.8% |
| 2021 | 762 | 681 | +16.7% |
| 2020 | 653 | 600 | +2.0% |
| 2019 | 640 | 584 | -2.3% |
| 2018 | 655 | 603 | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 657 | 613 | -4.4% |
| 2016 | 687 | 628 | +6.5% |
| 2015 | 645 | 590 | -3.6% |
Show 1975 to 2014
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 669 | 589 | -1.3% |
| 2013 | 678 | 621 | -4.4% |
| 2012 | 709 | 643 | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 696 | 609 | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 668 | 616 | -9.4% |
| 2009 | 737 | 646 | -1.7% |
| 2008 | 750 | 672 | -2.1% |
| 2007 | 766 | 649 | +0.1% |
| 2006 | 765 | 669 | -4.7% |
| 2005 | 803 | 711 | +3.7% |
| 2004 | 774 | 664 | +15.4% |
| 2003 | 671 | 595 | -9.2% |
| 2002 | 739 | 639 | +8.4% |
| 2001 | 682 | 588 | +4.9% |
| 2000 | 650 | 574 | -12.3% |
| 1999 | 741 | 619 | -1.9% |
| 1998 | 755 | 647 | -9.9% |
| 1997 | 838 | 721 | +8.5% |
| 1996 | 772 | 670 | +15.4% |
| 1995 | 669 | 597 | -2.6% |
| 1994 | 687 | 606 | +2.4% |
| 1993 | 671 | 583 | +9.5% |
| 1992 | 613 | 535 | -6.0% |
| 1991 | 652 | 551 | +1.7% |
| 1990 | 641 | 558 | -1.1% |
| 1989 | 648 | 569 | +1.6% |
| 1988 | 638 | 561 | +6.9% |
| 1987 | 597 | 540 | -14.5% |
| 1986 | 698 | 607 | -6.2% |
| 1985 | 744 | 652 | -6.6% |
| 1984 | 797 | 691 | -6.0% |
| 1983 | 848 | 720 | -19.5% |
| 1982 | 1,054 | 916 | +6.5% |
| 1981 | 990 | 859 | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 959 | 820 | +12.4% |
| 1979 | 853 | 733 | -5.3% |
| 1978 | 901 | 763 | +5.8% |
| 1977 | 852 | 737 | +2.4% |
| 1976 | 832 | 689 | +9.9% |
| 1975 | 757 | 653 | No data |
Deaths within 30 days of a crash on a public road, as NHTSA counts them. 2024 is the latest year NHTSA has published; the 2024 figures are from the Annual Report File and may be revised when NHTSA releases the final file. The 2025 file is expected in spring 2027.
The deadliest roads and most dangerous highways in Oklahoma
I-44 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Oklahoma from 2015 to 2024: 245, with 268 deaths. The 20 roads listed held 35% of all fatal crashes in Oklahoma from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 12 US routes, 5 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes ranked by fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024; ramps and frontage roads are left out (114 crashes). Roads with 15 or more fatal crashes in 2022 to 2024 have their own page. Every numbered road in Oklahoma, ranked.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | Counties with the most | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-44 | 245 | 268 | 86 | Oklahoma, Tulsa, Creek |
| 2 | I-40 | 240 | 266 | 65 | Oklahoma, Canadian, Custer |
| 3 | I-35 | 192 | 221 | 57 | Oklahoma, McClain, Cleveland |
| 4 | US 69 | 133 | 146 | 45 | Bryan, Pittsburg, Atoka |
| 5 | US 62 | 126 | 140 | 34 | Oklahoma, Grady, Muskogee |
| 6 | US 64 | 109 | 119 | 29 | Tulsa, Muskogee, Pawnee |
| 7 | US 70 | 105 | 116 | 28 | McCurtain, Bryan, Choctaw |
| 8 | US 75 | 99 | 109 | 27 | Tulsa, Washington, Okmulgee |
| 9 | US 77 | 94 | 102 | 33 | Cleveland, Oklahoma, Kay |
| 10 | US 270 | 91 | 99 | 29 | Pittsburg, Dewey, Blaine |
| 11 | State Highway 51 | 90 | 101 | 25 | Payne, Wagoner, Tulsa |
| 12 | US 177 | 89 | 102 | 26 | Pottawatomie, Payne, Lincoln |
| 13 | State Highway 3 | 84 | 88 | 19 | McCurtain, Oklahoma, Atoka |
| 14 | State Highway 9 | 79 | 88 | 27 | Cleveland, Haskell, Pottawatomie |
| 15 | US 81 | 75 | 92 | 13 | Grady, Stephens, Canadian |
| 16 | US 412 | 70 | 79 | 24 | Rogers, Mayes, Delaware |
| 17 | State Highway 66 | 67 | 71 | 17 | Rogers, Creek, Lincoln |
| 18 | US 59 | 62 | 68 | 26 | Delaware, Adair, Le Flore |
| 19 | US 60 | 61 | 64 | 16 | Major, Craig, Garfield |
| 20 | State Highway 33 | 57 | 65 | 17 | Payne, Logan, Creek |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Download every numbered road in Oklahoma as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/oklahoma/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in Oklahoma
Oklahoma County had the most fatal crashes in Oklahoma from 2015 to 2024: 874, with 913 deaths. Oklahoma, Tulsa and Cleveland counties together held 30% of fatal crashes in Oklahoma from 2015 to 2024; the 20 listed held 62%. 77 counties in Oklahoma recorded a fatal crash in those years; the 20 with the most are listed, with deaths per 100,000 residents where the county had 10 or more deaths in 2024.
Per resident, Love County has the highest rate in Oklahoma: 57.1 road deaths per 100,000 residents a year from 2015 to 2024, against 17.0 for the state as a whole. Counties with fewer than 10,000 residents are hatched rather than shaded: a few crashes on a highway through a small county make a rate that says more about its population than its roads.
| County | 2024 | 2015 to 2024 | Deaths | Deaths per 100,000100K, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma County | 96 | 874 | 913 | 12.5 |
| 2 | Tulsa County | 79 | 740 | 792 | 12.1 |
| 3 | Cleveland County | 22 | 222 | 240 | 7.2 |
| 4 | Canadian County | 14 | 163 | 179 | 9.9 |
| 5 | Rogers County | 14 | 144 | 150 | 15.8 |
| 6 | Pottawatomie County | 11 | 142 | 155 | 16.1 |
| 7 | Creek County | 15 | 133 | 147 | 20.3 |
| 8 | Grady County | 10 | 122 | 135 | 18.9 |
| 9 | Payne County | 10 | 119 | 135 | 14.3 |
| 10 | McCurtain County | 11 | 117 | 129 | 39.0 |
| 11 | Le Flore County | 14 | 115 | 136 | 30.1 |
| 12 | Bryan County | 12 | 111 | 125 | 29.8 |
| 13 | Mayes County | 14 | 111 | 125 | 37.4 |
| 14 | Comanche County | 7 | 109 | 116 | Not enough data |
| 15 | Muskogee County | 9 | 108 | 116 | Not enough data |
| 16 | McClain County | 7 | 103 | 119 | Not enough data |
| 17 | Ottawa County | 11 | 102 | 117 | 42.8 |
| 18 | Wagoner County | 12 | 101 | 106 | 14.2 |
| 19 | Pittsburg County | 8 | 95 | 103 | Not enough data |
| 20 | Lincoln County | 6 | 94 | 108 | Not enough data |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/oklahoma/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in America: every county ranked nationally, and per resident
When fatal crashes happen in Oklahoma
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 230 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.3 percent, 201 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 89 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 85 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 147 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 156 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 146 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.2 percent, 71 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 120 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 130 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 160 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 203 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 151 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.1 percent, 65 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 113 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 125 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 161 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 189 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 150 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 62 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 123 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 110 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 154 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 206 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 175 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.2 percent, 73 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 132 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 114 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 170 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 184 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 159 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 103 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 102 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 107 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 171 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 230 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 207 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.1 percent, 188 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 97 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 113 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 171 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 225 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 205 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.0%
- Feb6.0%
- Mar7.9%
- Apr7.3%
- May8.4%
- Jun9.2%
- Jul9.4%
- Aug9.0%
- Sep9.4%
- Oct9.2%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec8.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Where fatal crashes happen in Oklahoma: rural or urban, intersection, dark or daylight
60% of fatal crashes in Oklahoma from 2015 to 2024 were on rural roads, above the US share of 43%; 21% happened at or near an intersection, below the US share of 25%; 34% in the dark on unlit roads, above the US share of 28%; most, 51%, in daylight. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across the United States.
| Oklahoma | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 60% | 43% | above the US share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 25% | below the US share |
| In daylight | 51% | 46% | above the US share |
| In the dark, road lit | 11% | 21% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 28% | above the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Who died on Oklahoma roads in 2024
Vehicle occupants were 69% of the 645 people killed on Oklahoma roads in 2024; motorcyclists 16% (106), pedestrians 12% (77), cyclists 1.7% (11).
| Road user | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle occupants | 443 | 69% |
| Motorcyclists | 106 | 16% |
| Pedestrians | 77 | 12% |
| Cyclists | 11 | 1.7% |
| Others (on personal conveyances, in parked vehicles, in buildings) | 8 | 1.2% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes happen in Oklahoma: alcohol, speeding, seat belts, hit-and-run
A drinking driver was recorded in 27% of fatal crashes in Oklahoma from 2015 to 2024, about the US share; speeding in 26%, below the US share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 4.9%, below the US share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 8.5%, about the US share; 53% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the US share of 49%.
Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024 with the factor recorded, against the US share. "A drinking driver" is NHTSA's drinking-driver flag (police-reported drinking or any positive alcohol test), not its "alcohol-impaired" figure. "Unbelted" is the share of passenger-vehicle occupants killed whose belt use is known (4,127 in Oklahoma).
| Oklahoma | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A drinking driver | 27% | 26% | about the same as the US share |
| Speeding | 26% | 27% | below the US share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 8.5% | 8.7% | about the same as the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 53% | 49% | above the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.9% | 6.5% | below the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 16% | below the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What the first harmful event was
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a pedestrian in 13%, a rollover in 11%. What each fatal crash first hit, 2015 to 2024.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 2,603 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 1,665 | 27% |
| Pedestrian | 770 | 13% |
| Rollover | 667 | 11% |
| Other | 281 | 4.6% |
| Cyclist | 112 | 1.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 65 | 1.1% |
| Not reported | 9 | 0.1% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Vehicles in fatal crashes in Oklahoma
Cars were 32% of the 9,354 vehicles in fatal crashes in Oklahoma from 2015 to 2024, pickups 25%, SUVs 18%, motorcycles 9.7%. Every vehicle in a fatal crash from 2015 to 2024, by body type.
| Type | Vehicles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 2,977 | 32% |
| Pickups | 2,303 | 25% |
| SUVs | 1,670 | 18% |
| Motorcycles | 906 | 9.7% |
| Truck-tractors | 784 | 8.4% |
| Other trucks | 414 | 4.4% |
| Vans | 282 | 3.0% |
| Buses | 18 | 0.2% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Road deaths in Oklahoma per resident and per mile driven
| Oklahoma | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths per 100,000 residents, 2024 | 15.7 | 11.5 | above the US rate |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents a year, 2015 to 2024 | 17.0 | 11.8 | above the US rate |
| Deaths per 100 million vehicle-miles, 2024 | 1.39 | 1.19 | above the US rate |
Population 4,095,393 (Census Bureau estimate, 2024); 46,456 million vehicle-miles (FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, table VM-2). The only figures on this page not counted from FARS.
Questions about fatal crashes in Oklahoma
- How many people died in car accidents in Oklahoma in 2024?
- 645 people died in 594 fatal crashes on Oklahoma roads in 2024, 9.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 15.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.5 across the United States. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Oklahoma?
- I-44 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Oklahoma from 2015 to 2024: 245, with 268 deaths. I-40 was second with 240.
- Which county in Oklahoma has the most fatal crashes?
- Oklahoma County, with 874 fatal crashes and 913 deaths from 2015 to 2024, 96 of them in 2024.
- When do fatal crashes in Oklahoma happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 230 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Oklahoma involved a drinking driver?
- 1,638 of 6,172 fatal crashes in Oklahoma from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 26% across the United States.
County pages for Oklahoma
Every county in Oklahoma with 30 or more fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, roads, hour and weekday, and deaths per 100,000 residents.
- Oklahoma County 874
- Tulsa County 740
- Cleveland County 222
- Canadian County 163
- Rogers County 144
- Pottawatomie County 142
- Creek County 133
- Grady County 122
- Payne County 119
- McCurtain County 117
- Le Flore County 115
- Bryan County 111
- Mayes County 111
- Comanche County 109
- Muskogee County 108
- McClain County 103
- Ottawa County 102
- Wagoner County 101
- Pittsburg County 95
- Lincoln County 94
- Carter County 87
- Seminole County 86
- Delaware County 78
- Osage County 78
- Cherokee County 76
- Kay County 76
- Pontotoc County 76
- Caddo County 75
- Garvin County 75
- Sequoyah County 74
- Garfield County 66
- Okmulgee County 66
- Logan County 64
- McIntosh County 61
- Stephens County 59
- Beckham County 57
- Choctaw County 52
- Adair County 50
- Atoka County 50
- Custer County 50
- Love County 50
- Washington County 49
- Noble County 41
- Texas County 40
- Kingfisher County 40
- Marshall County 40
- Murray County 40
- Okfuskee County 39
- Major County 37
- Pawnee County 37
- Pushmataha County 36
- Woodward County 35
- Johnston County 35
- Washita County 33
- Jackson County 33
- Blaine County 32
Road pages for Oklahoma
Every numbered road in Oklahoma with 15 or more fatal crashes from 2022 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, county, hour and weekday.
Where the Oklahoma numbers come from
Every figure on this page except the rates is counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the federal census of fatal crashes on US public roads, 2024 Annual Report File. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. Road names are normalised ("I-35", "I 35" and "I-35/PURPLE HEART TRL" are the same road); frontage roads and ramps ("I35 FRONTAGE") are left out of road counts. Totals from the state highway department and news reports can differ by a few: they count from the state's own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked and revised once a year. Fields NHTSA coded as unknown show as "Not reported"; a share is only given over 20 crashes, otherwise "Not enough data". Rates per resident and per mile use Census Bureau population estimates and FHWA vehicle-miles, the only figures not counted from FARS. The full method.