Fatal crashes in Vermont
In 2024, 59 people died in 53 fatal crashes on Vermont roads, 14.5% fewer than in 2023. That is 0.2% of all road deaths in the United States.
Vermont ranks 49th of 51 by road deaths in 2024, and 41st by deaths per resident. Every state in 2024.
Road deaths in Vermont since 1975
Road deaths in Vermont peaked in 1979 at 159; 2024's 59 is 63% below that. The lowest year was 2014 with 44. 2024 is 22% below 2000 and 59% below 1975.
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 59 | 53 | -14.5% |
| 2023 | 69 | 63 | -9.2% |
| 2022 | 76 | 73 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | 74 | 69 | +19.4% |
| 2020 | 62 | 58 | +31.9% |
| 2019 | 47 | 44 | -30.9% |
| 2018 | 68 | 60 | -1.4% |
| 2017 | 69 | 63 | +11.3% |
| 2016 | 62 | 57 | +8.8% |
| 2015 | 57 | 50 | +29.5% |
Show 1975 to 2014
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 44 | 42 | -36.2% |
| 2013 | 69 | 63 | -10.4% |
| 2012 | 77 | 70 | +40.0% |
| 2011 | 55 | 48 | -22.5% |
| 2010 | 71 | 63 | -4.1% |
| 2009 | 74 | 69 | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 73 | 66 | +10.6% |
| 2007 | 66 | 62 | -24.1% |
| 2006 | 87 | 77 | +19.2% |
| 2005 | 73 | 68 | -25.5% |
| 2004 | 98 | 84 | +42.0% |
| 2003 | 69 | 63 | -11.5% |
| 2002 | 78 | 69 | -15.2% |
| 2001 | 92 | 84 | +21.1% |
| 2000 | 76 | 73 | -15.6% |
| 1999 | 90 | 82 | -13.5% |
| 1998 | 104 | 88 | +8.3% |
| 1997 | 96 | 88 | +9.1% |
| 1996 | 88 | 74 | -17.0% |
| 1995 | 106 | 95 | +37.7% |
| 1994 | 77 | 69 | -30.0% |
| 1993 | 110 | 101 | +14.6% |
| 1992 | 96 | 87 | -12.7% |
| 1991 | 110 | 100 | +22.2% |
| 1990 | 90 | 84 | -22.4% |
| 1989 | 116 | 109 | -10.1% |
| 1988 | 129 | 117 | +8.4% |
| 1987 | 119 | 103 | +9.2% |
| 1986 | 109 | 91 | -5.2% |
| 1985 | 115 | 101 | +0.9% |
| 1984 | 114 | 98 | +21.3% |
| 1983 | 94 | 87 | -12.1% |
| 1982 | 107 | 92 | -6.1% |
| 1981 | 114 | 105 | -16.8% |
| 1980 | 137 | 125 | -13.8% |
| 1979 | 159 | 130 | +33.6% |
| 1978 | 119 | 109 | +2.6% |
| 1977 | 116 | 104 | +2.7% |
| 1976 | 113 | 100 | -21.0% |
| 1975 | 143 | 119 | 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 Vermont
US 7 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Vermont from 2015 to 2024: 57, with 61 deaths. The 18 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Vermont from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 5 US routes, 11 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes ranked by fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024; ramps and frontage roads are left out (0 crashes). Roads with 15 or more fatal crashes in 2022 to 2024 have their own page. Every numbered road in Vermont, ranked.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | Counties with the most | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 7 | 57 | 61 | 20 | Chittenden, Rutland, Bennington |
| 2 | I-89 | 35 | 39 | 14 | Chittenden, Windsor, Washington |
| 3 | I-91 | 30 | 35 | 6 | Windsor, Caledonia, Orleans |
| 4 | State Highway 105 | 25 | 30 | 11 | Franklin, Orleans, Essex |
| 5 | State Highway 100 | 21 | 26 | 6 | Lamoille, Orleans, Washington |
| 6 | State Highway 15 | 20 | 21 | 6 | Chittenden, Lamoille, Caledonia |
| 7 | US 5 | 19 | 19 | 5 | Windham, Caledonia, Windsor |
| 8 | US 2 | 17 | 17 | 5 | Chittenden, Washington, Grand Isle |
| 9 | US 4 | 16 | 18 | 4 | Rutland, Windsor |
| 10 | State Highway 9 | 15 | 17 | 2 | Windham, Bennington |
| 11 | State Highway 30 | 13 | 14 | 5 | Windham, Rutland, Addison |
| 12 | State Highway 22A | 12 | 16 | 4 | Rutland, Addison |
| 13 | State Highway 14 | 11 | 13 | 5 | Orleans, Washington, Windsor |
| 14 | State Highway 11 | 9 | 10 | 2 | Windsor, Windham, Bennington |
| 15 | State Highway 116 | 6 | 9 | 1 | Chittenden, Addison |
| 16 | State Highway 78 | 6 | 6 | 2 | Franklin, Grand Isle |
| 17 | US 302 | 6 | 6 | 0 | Washington, Caledonia, Orange |
| 18 | State Highway 7A | 5 | 5 | 1 | Bennington |
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 Vermont as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/vermont/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in Vermont
Chittenden County had the most fatal crashes in Vermont from 2015 to 2024: 75, with 82 deaths. Chittenden, Franklin and Rutland counties together held 36% of fatal crashes in Vermont from 2015 to 2024. 14 counties in Vermont recorded a fatal crash in those years; the 14 with the most are listed, with deaths per 100,000 residents where the county had 10 or more deaths in 2024.
Per resident, Orleans County has the highest rate in Vermont: 19.1 road deaths per 100,000 residents a year from 2015 to 2024, against 10.1 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 | Chittenden County | 8 | 75 | 82 | Not enough data |
| 2 | Franklin County | 8 | 70 | 75 | Not enough data |
| 3 | Rutland County | 6 | 68 | 74 | Not enough data |
| 4 | Windsor County | 3 | 61 | 67 | Not enough data |
| 5 | Windham County | 5 | 52 | 54 | Not enough data |
| 6 | Orleans County | 1 | 44 | 52 | Not enough data |
| 7 | Addison County | 4 | 41 | 46 | Not enough data |
| 8 | Washington County | 5 | 40 | 46 | Not enough data |
| 9 | Bennington County | 4 | 39 | 41 | Not enough data |
| 10 | Caledonia County | 3 | 37 | 40 | Not enough data |
| 11 | Lamoille County | 0 | 24 | 26 | Not enough data |
| 12 | Orange County | 4 | 24 | 25 | Not enough data |
| 13 | Essex County | 0 | 9 | 9 | Not enough data |
| 14 | Grand Isle County | 2 | 6 | 6 | 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/vermont/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in America: every county ranked nationally, and per resident
When fatal crashes happen in Vermont
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 29 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.3 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 25 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.5 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 25 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 29 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 20 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.2%
- Feb4.7%
- Mar4.6%
- Apr6.4%
- May9.2%
- Jun10.5%
- Jul11.0%
- Aug12.0%
- Sep10.7%
- Oct10.0%
- Nov8.0%
- Dec8.6%
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 Vermont: rural or urban, intersection, dark or daylight
85% of fatal crashes in Vermont from 2015 to 2024 were on rural roads, above the US share of 43%; 18% happened at or near an intersection, below the US share of 25%; 27% in the dark on unlit roads, about the US share; most, 61%, in daylight. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across the United States.
| Vermont | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 85% | 43% | above the US share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 25% | below the US share |
| In daylight | 61% | 46% | above the US share |
| In the dark, road lit | 4.6% | 21% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 27% | 28% | about the same as 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 Vermont roads in 2024
Vehicle occupants were 75% of the 59 people killed on Vermont roads in 2024; motorcyclists 12% (7), pedestrians 10% (6), cyclists 3.4% (2).
| Road user | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle occupants | 44 | 75% |
| Motorcyclists | 7 | 12% |
| Pedestrians | 6 | 10% |
| Cyclists | 2 | 3.4% |
| Others (on personal conveyances, in parked vehicles, in buildings) | 0 | 0.0% |
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 Vermont: alcohol, speeding, seat belts, hit-and-run
A drinking driver was recorded in 35% of fatal crashes in Vermont from 2015 to 2024, above the US share of 26%; speeding in 36%, above the US share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 3.1%, below the US share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.1%, below the US share of 8.7%; 56% 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 (394 in Vermont).
| Vermont | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A drinking driver | 35% | 26% | above the US share |
| Speeding | 36% | 27% | above the US share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.1% | 8.7% | below the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 49% | above the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.1% | 6.5% | below the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 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 37%; a collision with another vehicle in 34%, a rollover in 12%, a pedestrian in 9.8%. What each fatal crash first hit, 2015 to 2024.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 218 | 37% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 198 | 34% |
| Rollover | 70 | 12% |
| Pedestrian | 58 | 9.8% |
| Other | 32 | 5.4% |
| Cyclist | 10 | 1.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 0.7% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
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 Vermont
Cars were 39% of the 808 vehicles in fatal crashes in Vermont from 2015 to 2024, SUVs 19%, pickups 15%, motorcycles 15%. Every vehicle in a fatal crash from 2015 to 2024, by body type.
| Type | Vehicles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 312 | 39% |
| SUVs | 157 | 19% |
| Pickups | 120 | 15% |
| Motorcycles | 119 | 15% |
| Other trucks | 45 | 5.6% |
| Truck-tractors | 29 | 3.6% |
| Vans | 23 | 2.8% |
| 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 Vermont per resident and per mile driven
| Vermont | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths per 100,000 residents, 2024 | 9.1 | 11.5 | below the US rate |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents a year, 2015 to 2024 | 10.1 | 11.8 | below the US rate |
| Deaths per 100 million vehicle-miles, 2024 | 0.82 | 1.19 | below the US rate |
Population 648,493 (Census Bureau estimate, 2024); 7,208 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 Vermont
- How many people died in car accidents in Vermont in 2024?
- 59 people died in 53 fatal crashes on Vermont roads in 2024, 14.5% fewer than in 2023. That is 9.1 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 Vermont?
- US 7 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Vermont from 2015 to 2024: 57, with 61 deaths. I-89 was second with 35.
- Which county in Vermont has the most fatal crashes?
- Chittenden County, with 75 fatal crashes and 82 deaths from 2015 to 2024, 8 of them in 2024.
- When do fatal crashes in Vermont happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 29 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Vermont involved a drinking driver?
- 205 of 590 fatal crashes in Vermont from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 35%, against 26% across the United States.
County pages for Vermont
Every county in Vermont 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 Vermont
Every numbered road in Vermont with 15 or more fatal crashes from 2022 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, county, hour and weekday.
Where the Vermont 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.