Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA data, the most dangerous city to drive in in Virginia is Petersburg, VA with 17.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year (2020–2024; Road Danger Score 90/100), vs a US average of 12.3.
Highest Traffic-Fatality Rates in Virginia
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 | Petersburg | 90/100 | 17.3 | 29 | 23% | 50% |
| 2 | Danville | 84/100 | 14.3 | 30 | 25% | 25% |
| 3 | Hampton | 74/100 | 11.7 | 81 | 28% | 41% |
| 4 | Roanoke City | 69/100 | 10.9 | 53 | 18% | 45% |
| 5 | Richmond | 68/100 | 10.7 | 124 | 26% | 34% |
| 6 | Suffolk | 67/100 | 10.6 | 55 | 23% | 13% |
| 7 | Christiansburg | 64/100 | 9.9 | 11 | 30% | 0% |
| 8 | Colonial Heights | 63/100 | 9.7 | 9 | 11% | 44% |
| 9 | Norfolk | 62/100 | 9.6 | 111 | 33% | 25% |
| 10 | Portsmouth | 60/100 | 9.3 | 45 | 31% | 36% |
| 11 | Newport News | 59/100 | 9.3 | 85 | 33% | 38% |
| 12 | Fredericksburg | 57/100 | 8.8 | 13 | 25% | 17% |
| 13 | Hopewell | 44/100 | 7.0 | 8 | 43% | 43% |
| 14 | Waynesboro | 42/100 | 6.8 | 8 | 25% | 38% |
| 15 | Virginia Beach | 41/100 | 6.6 | 151 | 39% | 47% |
| 16 | Chesapeake | 41/100 | 6.6 | 85 | 26% | 33% |
| 17 | Lynchburg | 40/100 | 6.5 | 26 | 44% | 24% |
| 18 | Harrisonburg | 38/100 | 6.2 | 16 | 47% | 53% |
| 19 | Williamsburg | 38/100 | 6.2 | 5 | 0% | 60% |
| 20 | Charlottesville | 30/100 | 5.4 | 12 | 18% | 18% |
| 21 | Culpeper | 24/100 | 4.7 | 5 | 0% | 20% |
| 22 | Manassas | 20/100 | 4.2 | 9 | 56% | 78% |
| 23 | Alexandria | 15/100 | 3.5 | 27 | 15% | 31% |
| 24 | Fairfax City | 13/100 | 3.1 | 4 | 0% | 50% |
| 25 | Leesburg | 10/100 | 2.8 | 7 | 43% | 57% |
| 26 | Herndon | 8/100 | 2.4 | 3 | 67% | 0% |
| 27 | Staunton | 8/100 | 2.3 | 3 | 33% | 33% |
| 28 | Winchester | 8/100 | 2.2 | 3 | 33% | 67% |
| 29 | Blacksburg | 6/100 | 1.7 | 4 | 50% | 25% |
| 30 | Salem | 3/100 | 0.8 | 1 | 0% | 0% |