Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA data, the most dangerous city to drive in in Iowa is Keokuk, IA with 12.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year (2020–2024; Road Danger Score 75/100), vs a US average of 12.3.
Highest Traffic-Fatality Rates in Iowa
Cities ranked by Road Danger Score — 5-year traffic deaths per 100,000 residents from NHTSA FARS.
| # | City | Danger Score | Deaths per 100K/yr | Deaths 2020–2024 | Alcohol % | Speeding % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keokuk | 75/100 | 12.0 | 6 | 67% | 67% |
| 2 | Davenport | 69/100 | 11.0 | 55 | 16% | 30% |
| 3 | Des Moines | 65/100 | 9.9 | 104 | 29% | 44% |
| 4 | Waterloo | 52/100 | 8.1 | 27 | 8% | 8% |
| 5 | Boone | 52/100 | 8.1 | 5 | 0% | 25% |
| 6 | Council Bluffs | 47/100 | 7.4 | 23 | 17% | 22% |
| 7 | Clive | 46/100 | 7.3 | 7 | 20% | 20% |
| 8 | Ottumwa | 45/100 | 7.1 | 9 | 33% | 22% |
| 9 | Sioux City | 44/100 | 7.0 | 30 | 33% | 33% |
| 10 | Fort Dodge | 40/100 | 6.5 | 8 | 0% | 14% |
| 11 | Marshalltown | 40/100 | 6.5 | 9 | 50% | 33% |
| 12 | Dubuque | 38/100 | 6.1 | 18 | 19% | 31% |
| 13 | Cedar Rapids | 37/100 | 6.1 | 41 | 44% | 33% |
| 14 | Bettendorf | 31/100 | 5.5 | 11 | 40% | 50% |
| 15 | Mason City | 28/100 | 5.2 | 7 | 14% | 0% |
| 16 | Burlington | 21/100 | 4.3 | 5 | 60% | 0% |
| 17 | West Des Moines | 12/100 | 3.0 | 11 | 36% | 27% |
| 18 | Cedar Falls | 12/100 | 3.0 | 6 | 0% | 0% |
| 19 | Urbandale | 12/100 | 3.0 | 7 | 43% | 43% |
| 20 | Iowa City | 11/100 | 2.9 | 11 | 10% | 50% |
| 21 | Marion | 8/100 | 2.4 | 5 | 0% | 20% |
| 22 | Ankeny | 6/100 | 1.8 | 7 | 17% | 33% |
| 23 | Ames | 4/100 | 1.2 | 4 | 25% | 0% |
| 24 | Waukee | 4/100 | 1.2 | 2 | 0% | 0% |