Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Fort Smith, AR recorded 61 traffic deaths in 60 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 13.6 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 81/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 81% of ranked US cities (#13 of 35 in Arkansas, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Fort Smith, Arkansas?
Fort Smith has a Road Danger Score of 81/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 60 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 61 people — 13.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Fort Smith ranks #13 out of 35 ranked cities in Arkansas and #404 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 81% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Fort Smith fell 28% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Fort Smith’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 60 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Fort Smith | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 20 | 33.3% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 14 | 23.3% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 16 | 26.7% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 29 | 48.3% | 49.8% |
Fort Smith Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Fort Smith, Arkansas 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 | 7 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2020 | 11 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Fort Smith, Arkansas?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Fort Smith recorded 60 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 Fort Smith?
Fort Smith has a Road Danger Score of 81/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 81% of ranked US cities. The city averages 13.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Fort Smith?
Of Fort Smith's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 33% involved a drinking driver, 23% involved speeding, 27% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 48% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Fort Smith each year?
An average of 12.2 people per year died in car accidents in Fort Smith across 2020–2024 (61 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Fort Smith more dangerous than in other Arkansas cities?
Fort Smith ranks #13 of 35 ranked Arkansas cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #404 of 2,153 nationally.