Fatal crashes in Rhode Island
In 2024, 52 people died in 48 fatal crashes on Rhode Island roads, 26.8% fewer than in 2023. That is 0.1% of all road deaths in the United States.
Rhode Island ranks 50th of 51 by road deaths in 2024, and 51st by deaths per resident. Every state in 2024.
Road deaths in Rhode Island since 1975
Road deaths in Rhode Island peaked in 1977 at 133; 2024's 52 is 61% below that. The lowest year was 2015 with 45. 2024 is 35% below 2000 and 53% below 1975.
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52 | 48 | -26.8% |
| 2023 | 71 | 67 | +36.5% |
| 2022 | 52 | 51 | -17.5% |
| 2021 | 63 | 61 | -6.0% |
| 2020 | 67 | 66 | +17.5% |
| 2019 | 57 | 53 | -3.4% |
| 2018 | 59 | 56 | -29.8% |
| 2017 | 84 | 77 | +64.7% |
| 2016 | 51 | 48 | +13.3% |
| 2015 | 45 | 41 | -11.8% |
Show 1975 to 2014
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 51 | 51 | -21.5% |
| 2013 | 65 | 62 | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 64 | 62 | -3.0% |
| 2011 | 66 | 63 | -1.5% |
| 2010 | 67 | 65 | -19.3% |
| 2009 | 83 | 76 | +27.7% |
| 2008 | 65 | 63 | -5.8% |
| 2007 | 69 | 64 | -14.8% |
| 2006 | 81 | 72 | -6.9% |
| 2005 | 87 | 80 | +4.8% |
| 2004 | 83 | 78 | -20.2% |
| 2003 | 104 | 96 | +23.8% |
| 2002 | 84 | 81 | +3.7% |
| 2001 | 81 | 78 | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 80 | 73 | -9.1% |
| 1999 | 88 | 85 | +18.9% |
| 1998 | 74 | 70 | -1.3% |
| 1997 | 75 | 66 | +8.7% |
| 1996 | 69 | 65 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 69 | 64 | +9.5% |
| 1994 | 63 | 62 | -14.9% |
| 1993 | 74 | 70 | -6.3% |
| 1992 | 79 | 73 | -10.2% |
| 1991 | 88 | 84 | +4.8% |
| 1990 | 84 | 79 | -16.0% |
| 1989 | 100 | 97 | -20.0% |
| 1988 | 125 | 118 | +10.6% |
| 1987 | 113 | 108 | -8.9% |
| 1986 | 124 | 115 | +13.8% |
| 1985 | 109 | 99 | +38.0% |
| 1984 | 79 | 75 | -21.0% |
| 1983 | 100 | 96 | -4.8% |
| 1982 | 105 | 97 | +2.9% |
| 1981 | 102 | 100 | -20.9% |
| 1980 | 129 | 118 | +4.9% |
| 1979 | 123 | 105 | +13.9% |
| 1978 | 108 | 100 | -18.8% |
| 1977 | 133 | 117 | +11.8% |
| 1976 | 119 | 112 | +8.2% |
| 1975 | 110 | 100 | 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 Rhode Island
I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024: 65, with 71 deaths. The 20 roads listed held 53% of all fatal crashes in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 3 US routes, 14 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes ranked by fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024; ramps and frontage roads are left out (4 crashes). Roads with 15 or more fatal crashes in 2022 to 2024 have their own page. Every numbered road in Rhode Island, ranked.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | Counties with the most | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-95 | 65 | 71 | 16 | Providence, Kent, Washington |
| 2 | US 1 | 27 | 29 | 8 | Washington, Providence, Kent |
| 3 | State Highway 117 | 21 | 22 | 5 | Kent, Providence |
| 4 | I-295 | 21 | 21 | 3 | Providence, Kent |
| 5 | US 6 | 15 | 19 | 4 | Providence |
| 6 | State Highway 146 | 15 | 16 | 4 | Providence |
| 7 | US 44 | 14 | 14 | 3 | Providence |
| 8 | State Highway 114 | 13 | 16 | 5 | Providence, Newport, Bristol |
| 9 | State Highway 122 | 13 | 14 | 4 | Providence |
| 10 | State Highway 2 | 12 | 12 | 4 | Kent, Washington, Providence |
| 11 | State Highway 5 | 12 | 12 | 7 | Providence, Kent |
| 12 | State Highway 1A | 11 | 12 | 1 | Providence, Washington, Kent |
| 13 | State Highway 102 | 11 | 11 | 3 | Washington, Providence, Kent |
| 14 | State Highway 138 | 11 | 11 | 3 | Washington, Newport |
| 15 | State Highway 14 | 10 | 10 | 2 | Providence, Kent |
| 16 | State Highway 101 | 8 | 9 | 2 | Providence |
| 17 | State Highway 12 | 7 | 7 | 2 | Providence |
| 18 | State Highway 10 | 6 | 6 | 1 | Providence |
| 19 | State Highway 44 | 6 | 6 | 0 | Providence |
| 20 | I-195 | 5 | 7 | 1 | Providence |
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 Rhode Island as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/rhode-island/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in Rhode Island
Providence County had the most fatal crashes in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024: 336, with 357 deaths. Providence, Washington and Kent counties together held 93% of fatal crashes in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024. 5 counties in Rhode Island recorded a fatal crash in those years; the 5 with the most are listed, with deaths per 100,000 residents where the county had 10 or more deaths in 2024.
Per resident, Washington County has the highest rate in Rhode Island: 8.2 road deaths per 100,000 residents a year from 2015 to 2024, against 5.6 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 | Providence County | 28 | 336 | 357 | 4.4 |
| 2 | Washington County | 9 | 101 | 105 | 7.7 |
| 3 | Kent County | 4 | 92 | 98 | Not enough data |
| 4 | Newport County | 4 | 29 | 30 | Not enough data |
| 5 | Bristol County | 3 | 9 | 10 | 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/rhode-island/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in America: every county ranked nationally, and per resident
When fatal crashes happen in Rhode Island
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 30 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.3 percent, 30 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.5 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 20 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.6 percent, 26 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.6%
- Feb6.5%
- Mar6.3%
- Apr7.2%
- May8.3%
- Jun8.6%
- Jul10.6%
- Aug10.4%
- Sep9.5%
- Oct9.3%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec7.2%
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 Rhode Island: rural or urban, intersection, dark or daylight
19% of fatal crashes in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024 were on rural roads, below the US share of 43%; 21% happened at or near an intersection, below the US share of 25%; 16% in the dark on unlit roads, below the US share of 28%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across the United States.
| Rhode Island | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 19% | 43% | below the US share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 25% | below the US share |
| In daylight | 44% | 46% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road lit | 34% | 21% | above the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 16% | 28% | below 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 Rhode Island roads in 2024
Vehicle occupants were 48% of the 52 people killed on Rhode Island roads in 2024; pedestrians 25% (13), motorcyclists 15% (8), cyclists 9.6% (5).
| Road user | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle occupants | 25 | 48% |
| Pedestrians | 13 | 25% |
| Motorcyclists | 8 | 15% |
| Cyclists | 5 | 9.6% |
| Others (on personal conveyances, in parked vehicles, in buildings) | 1 | 1.9% |
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 Rhode Island: alcohol, speeding, seat belts, hit-and-run
A drinking driver was recorded in 39% of fatal crashes in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024, above the US share of 26%; speeding in 44%, above the US share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 6.2%, about the US share; a driver recorded as distracted in 3.0%, below the US share of 8.7%; 54% 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 (317 in Rhode Island).
| Rhode Island | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A drinking driver | 39% | 26% | above the US share |
| Speeding | 44% | 27% | above the US share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.0% | 8.7% | below the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 54% | 49% | above the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.2% | 6.5% | about the same as the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 16% | above 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 fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 41%; a collision with another vehicle in 30%, a pedestrian in 19%, a cyclist in 2.8%. What each fatal crash first hit, 2015 to 2024.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 231 | 41% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 169 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 108 | 19% |
| Other | 23 | 4.0% |
| Cyclist | 16 | 2.8% |
| Rollover | 12 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 8 | 1.4% |
| Not reported | 1 | 0.2% |
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 Rhode Island
Cars were 47% of the 783 vehicles in fatal crashes in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024, SUVs 20%, motorcycles 15%, pickups 8.8%. Every vehicle in a fatal crash from 2015 to 2024, by body type.
| Type | Vehicles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 369 | 47% |
| SUVs | 158 | 20% |
| Motorcycles | 116 | 15% |
| Pickups | 69 | 8.8% |
| Other trucks | 28 | 3.6% |
| Vans | 26 | 3.3% |
| Truck-tractors | 14 | 1.8% |
| Buses | 3 | 0.4% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Road deaths in Rhode Island per resident and per mile driven
| Rhode Island | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths per 100,000 residents, 2024 | 4.7 | 11.5 | below the US rate |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents a year, 2015 to 2024 | 5.6 | 11.8 | below the US rate |
| Deaths per 100 million vehicle-miles, 2024 | 0.68 | 1.19 | below the US rate |
Population 1,112,308 (Census Bureau estimate, 2024); 7,656 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 Rhode Island
- How many people died in car accidents in Rhode Island in 2024?
- 52 people died in 48 fatal crashes on Rhode Island roads in 2024, 26.8% fewer than in 2023. That is 4.7 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 Rhode Island?
- I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024: 65, with 71 deaths. US 1 was second with 27.
- Which county in Rhode Island has the most fatal crashes?
- Providence County, with 336 fatal crashes and 357 deaths from 2015 to 2024, 28 of them in 2024.
- When do fatal crashes in Rhode Island happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 30 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Rhode Island involved a drinking driver?
- 222 of 568 fatal crashes in Rhode Island from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 39%, against 26% across the United States.
County pages for Rhode Island
Every county in Rhode Island 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.
Road pages for Rhode Island
Every numbered road in Rhode Island with 15 or more fatal crashes from 2022 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, county, hour and weekday.
Where the Rhode Island 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.