Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Decatur, IL recorded 44 traffic deaths in 38 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 13.0 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 79/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 79% of ranked US cities (#16 of 147 in Illinois, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Decatur, Illinois?
Decatur has a Road Danger Score of 79/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 38 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 44 people — 13.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Decatur ranks #16 out of 147 ranked cities in Illinois and #447 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 79% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Decatur fell 0% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Decatur’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 38 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Decatur | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 12 | 31.6% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 12 | 31.6% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 6 | 15.8% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 20 | 52.6% | 49.8% |
Decatur Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Decatur, 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 | 9 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 10 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Decatur, Illinois?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Decatur recorded 38 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 44 traffic deaths — an average of 8.8 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Decatur?
Decatur has a Road Danger Score of 79/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 79% of ranked US cities. The city averages 13.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Decatur?
Of Decatur's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 32% involved a drinking driver, 32% involved speeding, 16% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 53% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Decatur each year?
An average of 8.8 people per year died in car accidents in Decatur across 2020–2024 (44 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Decatur more dangerous than in other Illinois cities?
Decatur ranks #16 of 147 ranked Illinois cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #447 of 2,153 nationally.