Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Lansing, IL recorded 14 traffic deaths in 12 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 66/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 66% of ranked US cities (#35 of 147 in Illinois, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Lansing, Illinois?
Lansing has a Road Danger Score of 66/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 12 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 14 people — 10.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Lansing ranks #35 out of 147 ranked cities in Illinois and #730 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 66% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Lansing's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 50% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Lansing fell 63% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Lansing’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 12 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Lansing | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 2 | 16.7% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 6 | 50.0% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 2 | 16.7% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 5 | 41.7% | 49.8% |
Lansing Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Lansing, 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 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2020 | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Lansing, Illinois?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Lansing recorded 12 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 14 traffic deaths — an average of 2.8 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Lansing?
Lansing has a Road Danger Score of 66/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 66% of ranked US cities. The city averages 10.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Lansing?
Of Lansing's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 17% involved a drinking driver, 50% involved speeding, 17% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 42% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Lansing each year?
An average of 2.8 people per year died in car accidents in Lansing across 2020–2024 (14 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Lansing more dangerous than in other Illinois cities?
Lansing ranks #35 of 147 ranked Illinois cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #730 of 2,153 nationally.