Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Lake City, FL recorded 11 traffic deaths in 11 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 17.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 90/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 90% of ranked US cities (#34 of 122 in Florida, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Lake City, Florida?
Lake City has a Road Danger Score of 90/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 11 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 11 people — 17.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Lake City ranks #34 out of 122 ranked cities in Florida and #208 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 90% of ranked US cities.
What’s Behind Lake City’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 11 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Lake City | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 2 | 18.2% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 1 | 9.1% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 3 | 27.3% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 5 | 45.5% | 49.8% |
Lake City Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Lake City, Florida 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 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Lake City, Florida?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Lake City recorded 11 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 11 traffic deaths — an average of 2.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Lake City?
Lake City has a Road Danger Score of 90/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 90% of ranked US cities. The city averages 17.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Lake City?
Of Lake City's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 18% involved a drinking driver, 9% involved speeding, 27% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 46% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Lake City each year?
An average of 2.2 people per year died in car accidents in Lake City across 2020–2024 (11 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Lake City more dangerous than in other Florida cities?
Lake City ranks #34 of 122 ranked Florida cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #208 of 2,153 nationally.