Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Surprise, AZ recorded 61 traffic deaths in 55 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 7.5 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 47/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 47% of ranked US cities (#36 of 41 in Arizona, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Surprise, Arizona?
Surprise has a Road Danger Score of 47/100 (Near-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 55 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 61 people — 7.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Surprise ranks #36 out of 41 ranked cities in Arizona and #1,143 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 47% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Surprise's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 40% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Surprise rose 73% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Surprise’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 55 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Surprise | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 14 | 25.5% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 22 | 40.0% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 14 | 25.5% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 23 | 41.8% | 49.8% |
Surprise Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Surprise, Arizona from NHTSA FARS. Single-year swings are normal in smaller cities; the Road Danger Score uses the full 5-year window.
| Year | Traffic Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2020 | 11 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Surprise, Arizona?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Surprise recorded 55 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 61 traffic deaths — an average of 12.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Surprise?
Surprise has a Road Danger Score of 47/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 47% of ranked US cities. The city averages 7.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Surprise?
Of Surprise's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 26% involved a drinking driver, 40% involved speeding, 26% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 42% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Surprise each year?
An average of 12.2 people per year died in car accidents in Surprise across 2020–2024 (61 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Surprise more dangerous than in other Arizona cities?
Surprise ranks #36 of 41 ranked Arizona cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,143 of 2,153 nationally.