Fatal crashes in Virginia
In 2024, 917 people died in 867 fatal crashes on Virginia roads, 0.3% more than in 2023. That is about 3 deaths a day, and 2.3% of all road deaths in the United States.
Virginia ranks 16th of 51 by road deaths in 2024, and 32nd by deaths per resident. Every state in 2024.
Road deaths in Virginia since 1975
Road deaths in Virginia peaked in 1986 at 1,126; 2024's 917 is 19% below that. The lowest year was 2014 with 703. 2024 is 1% below 2000 and 8% below 1975.
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 917 | 867 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 914 | 856 | -9.1% |
| 2022 | 1,006 | 944 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 973 | 906 | +14.5% |
| 2020 | 850 | 796 | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 831 | 774 | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 820 | 778 | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 839 | 783 | +10.4% |
| 2016 | 760 | 722 | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 754 | 712 | +7.3% |
Show 1975 to 2014
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 703 | 659 | -5.0% |
| 2013 | 740 | 682 | -4.6% |
| 2012 | 776 | 715 | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 764 | 700 | +3.2% |
| 2010 | 740 | 689 | -2.4% |
| 2009 | 758 | 696 | -8.1% |
| 2008 | 825 | 764 | -19.7% |
| 2007 | 1,027 | 941 | +6.8% |
| 2006 | 962 | 866 | +1.6% |
| 2005 | 947 | 876 | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 922 | 838 | -2.2% |
| 2003 | 943 | 861 | +3.2% |
| 2002 | 914 | 830 | -2.2% |
| 2001 | 935 | 855 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 929 | 851 | +5.8% |
| 1999 | 878 | 795 | -6.1% |
| 1998 | 935 | 834 | -5.0% |
| 1997 | 984 | 900 | +12.2% |
| 1996 | 877 | 809 | -2.6% |
| 1995 | 900 | 826 | -3.2% |
| 1994 | 930 | 828 | +5.8% |
| 1993 | 879 | 793 | +4.8% |
| 1992 | 839 | 760 | -11.5% |
| 1991 | 948 | 845 | -12.1% |
| 1990 | 1,079 | 953 | +7.5% |
| 1989 | 1,004 | 918 | -6.3% |
| 1988 | 1,072 | 971 | +5.0% |
| 1987 | 1,021 | 906 | -9.3% |
| 1986 | 1,126 | 1,002 | +15.4% |
| 1985 | 976 | 895 | -3.7% |
| 1984 | 1,013 | 921 | +12.4% |
| 1983 | 901 | 803 | +2.3% |
| 1982 | 881 | 782 | -12.9% |
| 1981 | 1,011 | 907 | -3.3% |
| 1980 | 1,045 | 938 | +2.9% |
| 1979 | 1,016 | 923 | -4.4% |
| 1978 | 1,063 | 951 | -4.9% |
| 1977 | 1,118 | 975 | +11.8% |
| 1976 | 1,000 | 882 | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 993 | 867 | 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 Virginia
I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Virginia from 2015 to 2024: 274, with 309 deaths. The 20 roads listed held 36% of all fatal crashes in Virginia from 2015 to 2024; 5 are interstates, 14 US routes, 1 state highway. Interstate, US and state routes ranked by fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024; ramps and frontage roads are left out (95 crashes). Roads with 15 or more fatal crashes in 2022 to 2024 have their own page. Every numbered road in Virginia, ranked.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | Counties with the most | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-95 | 274 | 309 | 98 | Hanover, Richmond city, Chesterfield |
| 2 | I-64 | 257 | 275 | 82 | Newport News city, Henrico, Hampton city |
| 3 | US 58 | 257 | 275 | 93 | Suffolk city, Virginia Beach city, Southampton |
| 4 | US 460 | 241 | 263 | 78 | Bedford, Giles, Norfolk city |
| 5 | I-81 | 239 | 270 | 74 | Augusta, Wythe, Roanoke |
| 6 | US 1 | 201 | 205 | 78 | Fairfax, Richmond city, Chesterfield |
| 7 | US 29 | 191 | 197 | 63 | Pittsylvania, Nelson, Albemarle |
| 8 | US 17 | 164 | 172 | 69 | Gloucester, Fauquier, Newport News city |
| 9 | US 360 | 141 | 150 | 41 | Chesterfield, Richmond city, Halifax |
| 10 | US 60 | 137 | 145 | 46 | Virginia Beach city, Newport News city, Chesterfield |
| 11 | US 11 | 136 | 151 | 47 | Roanoke city, Shenandoah, Washington |
| 12 | US 13 | 107 | 121 | 30 | Accomack, Northampton, Chesapeake city |
| 13 | US 220 | 92 | 101 | 33 | Franklin, Henry, Botetourt |
| 14 | US 15 | 86 | 101 | 26 | Culpeper, Loudoun, Fauquier |
| 15 | US 250 | 72 | 75 | 24 | Henrico, Albemarle, Augusta |
| 16 | State Highway 3 | 71 | 74 | 20 | Spotsylvania, King George, Westmoreland |
| 17 | US 522 | 67 | 69 | 24 | Frederick, Orange, Louisa |
| 18 | I-295 | 62 | 67 | 12 | Henrico, Hanover, Prince George |
| 19 | US 33 | 62 | 64 | 21 | Hanover, Louisa, Henrico |
| 20 | I-264 | 58 | 64 | 14 | Virginia Beach city, Portsmouth city, Norfolk city |
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 Virginia as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/virginia/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in Virginia
Fairfax County had the most fatal crashes in Virginia from 2015 to 2024: 424, with 447 deaths. Fairfax, Chesterfield and Henrico counties together held 12% of fatal crashes in Virginia from 2015 to 2024; the 20 listed held 45%. 132 counties in Virginia 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, Sussex County has the highest rate in Virginia: 66.8 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 | Fairfax County | 52 | 424 | 447 | 4.9 |
| 2 | Chesterfield County | 31 | 282 | 292 | 8.2 |
| 3 | Henrico County | 45 | 280 | 294 | 13.6 |
| 4 | Virginia Beach city | 23 | 258 | 271 | 5.3 |
| 5 | Prince William County | 28 | 228 | 238 | 6.0 |
| 6 | Richmond city | 18 | 200 | 205 | 7.7 |
| 7 | Norfolk city | 20 | 199 | 203 | 8.7 |
| 8 | Chesapeake city | 19 | 173 | 177 | 7.5 |
| 9 | Newport News city | 17 | 163 | 167 | 10.4 |
| 10 | Pittsylvania County | 18 | 158 | 162 | 30.3 |
| 11 | Spotsylvania County | 20 | 157 | 170 | 13.8 |
| 12 | Hanover County | 12 | 153 | 164 | 10.4 |
| 13 | Augusta County | 17 | 146 | 160 | 22.9 |
| 14 | Fauquier County | 12 | 131 | 142 | 17.1 |
| 15 | Albemarle County | 10 | 125 | 134 | 8.5 |
| 16 | Loudoun County | 13 | 125 | 133 | 3.2 |
| 17 | Hampton city | 13 | 125 | 129 | 9.4 |
| 18 | Bedford County | 16 | 124 | 127 | 20.7 |
| 19 | Rockingham County | 12 | 117 | 124 | 13.7 |
| 20 | Franklin County | 17 | 116 | 125 | 32.4 |
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/virginia/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in America: every county ranked nationally, and per resident
When fatal crashes happen in Virginia
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 315 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.6 percent, 291 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 111 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 118 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 218 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 253 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 232 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.3 percent, 109 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 111 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 165 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 226 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 250 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 195 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 99 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 144 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 143 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 228 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 254 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 190 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 92 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 136 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 131 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 237 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 235 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 202 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.5 percent, 125 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 130 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 147 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 215 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 237 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 259 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 150 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 157 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 138 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 241 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 271 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 301 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.6 percent, 289 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 115 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 151 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 248 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 278 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 315 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.0%
- Feb6.8%
- Mar7.1%
- Apr7.8%
- May8.7%
- Jun8.7%
- Jul8.6%
- Aug9.2%
- Sep9.3%
- Oct9.7%
- Nov8.6%
- Dec8.3%
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 Virginia: rural or urban, intersection, dark or daylight
55% of fatal crashes in Virginia from 2015 to 2024 were on rural roads, above the US share of 43%; 23% happened at or near an intersection, below the US share of 25%; 31% in the dark on unlit roads, above the US share of 28%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across the United States.
| Virginia | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 55% | 43% | above the US share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 25% | below the US share |
| In daylight | 50% | 46% | above the US share |
| In the dark, road lit | 14% | 21% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 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 Virginia roads in 2024
Vehicle occupants were 70% of the 917 people killed on Virginia roads in 2024; pedestrians 13% (123), motorcyclists 13% (122), cyclists 2.6% (24).
| Road user | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle occupants | 638 | 70% |
| Pedestrians | 123 | 13% |
| Motorcyclists | 122 | 13% |
| Cyclists | 24 | 2.6% |
| Others (on personal conveyances, in parked vehicles, in buildings) | 10 | 1.1% |
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 Virginia: alcohol, speeding, seat belts, hit-and-run
A drinking driver was recorded in 29% of fatal crashes in Virginia from 2015 to 2024, above the US share of 26%; speeding in 29%, above the US share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 4.1%, below the US share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 11%, above the US share of 8.7%; 55% 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 (5,778 in Virginia).
| Virginia | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A drinking driver | 29% | 26% | above the US share |
| Speeding | 29% | 27% | above the US share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 11% | 8.7% | above the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 49% | above the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.1% | 6.5% | below the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 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 fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 40%; a collision with another vehicle in 35%, a pedestrian in 14%, a rollover in 4.5%. What each fatal crash first hit, 2015 to 2024.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 3,275 | 40% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 2,834 | 35% |
| Pedestrian | 1,121 | 14% |
| Rollover | 363 | 4.5% |
| Other | 317 | 3.9% |
| Cyclist | 135 | 1.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 92 | 1.1% |
| Not reported | 1 | 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 Virginia
Cars were 41% of the 11,795 vehicles in fatal crashes in Virginia from 2015 to 2024, SUVs 20%, pickups 16%, motorcycles 9.2%. Every vehicle in a fatal crash from 2015 to 2024, by body type.
| Type | Vehicles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 4,851 | 41% |
| SUVs | 2,308 | 20% |
| Pickups | 1,870 | 16% |
| Motorcycles | 1,087 | 9.2% |
| Truck-tractors | 625 | 5.3% |
| Vans | 543 | 4.6% |
| Other trucks | 470 | 4.0% |
| Buses | 41 | 0.3% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Road deaths in Virginia per resident and per mile driven
| Virginia | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths per 100,000 residents, 2024 | 10.4 | 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 | 1.04 | 1.19 | below the US rate |
Population 8,811,195 (Census Bureau estimate, 2024); 88,511 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 Virginia
- How many people died in car accidents in Virginia in 2024?
- 917 people died in 867 fatal crashes on Virginia roads in 2024, 0.3% more than in 2023. That is 10.4 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 Virginia?
- I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Virginia from 2015 to 2024: 274, with 309 deaths. I-64 was second with 257.
- Which county in Virginia has the most fatal crashes?
- Fairfax County, with 424 fatal crashes and 447 deaths from 2015 to 2024, 52 of them in 2024.
- When do fatal crashes in Virginia happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 315 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Virginia involved a drinking driver?
- 2,391 of 8,138 fatal crashes in Virginia from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 29%, against 26% across the United States.
County pages for Virginia
Every county in Virginia 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.
- Fairfax County 424
- Chesterfield County 282
- Henrico County 280
- Virginia Beach city 258
- Prince William County 228
- Richmond city 200
- Norfolk city 199
- Chesapeake city 173
- Newport News city 163
- Pittsylvania County 158
- Spotsylvania County 157
- Hanover County 153
- Augusta County 146
- Fauquier County 131
- Albemarle County 125
- Loudoun County 125
- Hampton city 125
- Bedford County 124
- Rockingham County 117
- Franklin County 116
- Henry County 115
- Frederick County 113
- Campbell County 103
- Suffolk city 101
- Stafford County 100
- Mecklenburg County 90
- Dinwiddie County 89
- Louisa County 89
- Roanoke city 85
- Halifax County 83
- Washington County 83
- Portsmouth city 83
- Montgomery County 81
- Caroline County 77
- Roanoke County 76
- Prince George County 74
- Wythe County 72
- Culpeper County 70
- James City County 69
- York County 68
- Orange County 65
- Botetourt County 64
- Brunswick County 64
- Rockbridge County 64
- Sussex County 64
- Isle of Wight County 63
- Shenandoah County 63
- Accomack County 59
- Carroll County 59
- Russell County 59
- Nelson County 58
- Tazewell County 58
- Gloucester County 56
- New Kent County 51
- King George County 50
- Smyth County 50
- Prince Edward County 47
- Alexandria city 47
- Goochland County 46
- Danville city 46
- Amherst County 45
- Southampton County 45
- Arlington County 43
- Buchanan County 43
- Clarke County 43
- Nottoway County 43
- Pulaski County 43
- Wise County 43
- Charlotte County 42
- Lynchburg city 42
- Warren County 42
- Buckingham County 40
- Powhatan County 40
- Petersburg city 40
- Scott County 39
- Page County 38
- Northampton County 37
- Patrick County 35
- Lee County 34
- Amelia County 33
- Giles County 32
- Greensville County 31
- King and Queen County 30
- King William County 30
Road pages for Virginia
Every numbered road in Virginia with 15 or more fatal crashes from 2022 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, county, hour and weekday.
Where the Virginia 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.