Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Lake Wales, FL recorded 28 traffic deaths in 27 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 33.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 99/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 99% of ranked US cities (#2 of 122 in Florida, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes (5-Yr Total)
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Lake Wales, Florida?
Lake Wales has a Road Danger Score of 99/100 (High Road Danger). Over the most recent five-year period, federal crash data recorded 27 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 28 people — 33.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Lake Wales ranks #2 out of 122 ranked cities in Florida and #12 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 99% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Lake Wales's fatal crashes: dark / nighttime conditions — 59% of fatal crashes, versus 50% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Lake Wales fell 40% comparing the first two years of the period with the most recent two years.
What’s Behind Lake Wales’s Fatal Crashes
Share of the city’s 27 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Lake Wales | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 4 | 14.8% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 3 | 11.1% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 8 | 29.6% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 16 | 59.3% | 49.8% |
Lake Wales Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Lake Wales, 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 | 3 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the car accident statistics for Lake Wales, Florida?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Lake Wales recorded 27 fatal car accidents over the most recent five-year period, resulting in 28 traffic deaths — an average of 5.6 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Lake Wales?
Lake Wales has a Road Danger Score of 99/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 99% of ranked US cities. The city averages 33.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Lake Wales?
Of Lake Wales's fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period, 15% involved a drinking driver, 11% involved speeding, 30% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 59% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Lake Wales each year?
An average of 5.6 people per year died in car accidents in Lake Wales over the most recent five-year period (28 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Lake Wales more dangerous than in other Florida cities?
Lake Wales ranks #2 of 122 ranked Florida cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #12 of 2,153 nationally.