Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Chicago Heights, IL recorded 18 traffic deaths in 17 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 14.0 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 82/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 82% of ranked US cities (#12 of 147 in Illinois, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Chicago Heights, Illinois?
Chicago Heights has a Road Danger Score of 82/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 17 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 18 people — 14.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Chicago Heights ranks #12 out of 147 ranked cities in Illinois and #382 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 82% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Chicago Heights's fatal crashes: pedestrian or cyclist involved — 47% of fatal crashes, versus 23% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Chicago Heights rose 43% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Chicago Heights’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 17 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Chicago Heights | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 3 | 17.6% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 5 | 29.4% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 8 | 47.1% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 11 | 64.7% | 49.8% |
Chicago Heights Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Chicago Heights, Illinois 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 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Chicago Heights, Illinois?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Chicago Heights recorded 17 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 18 traffic deaths — an average of 3.6 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Chicago Heights?
Chicago Heights has a Road Danger Score of 82/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 82% of ranked US cities. The city averages 14.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Chicago Heights?
Of Chicago Heights's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 18% involved a drinking driver, 29% involved speeding, 47% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 65% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Chicago Heights each year?
An average of 3.6 people per year died in car accidents in Chicago Heights across 2020–2024 (18 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Chicago Heights more dangerous than in other Illinois cities?
Chicago Heights ranks #12 of 147 ranked Illinois cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #382 of 2,153 nationally.