Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Ottawa, IL recorded 11 traffic deaths in 10 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 11.8 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 74/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 74% of ranked US cities (#24 of 147 in Illinois, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Ottawa, Illinois?
Ottawa has a Road Danger Score of 74/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 10 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 11 people — 11.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Ottawa ranks #24 out of 147 ranked cities in Illinois and #556 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 74% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Ottawa's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 40% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Ottawa fell 0% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Ottawa’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 10 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Ottawa | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 3 | 30.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 4 | 40.0% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 1 | 10.0% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 4 | 40.0% | 49.8% |
Ottawa Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Ottawa, 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 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Ottawa, Illinois?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Ottawa recorded 10 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 Ottawa?
Ottawa has a Road Danger Score of 74/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 74% of ranked US cities. The city averages 11.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Ottawa?
Of Ottawa's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 30% involved a drinking driver, 40% involved speeding, 10% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 40% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Ottawa each year?
An average of 2.2 people per year died in car accidents in Ottawa across 2020–2024 (11 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Ottawa more dangerous than in other Illinois cities?
Ottawa ranks #24 of 147 ranked Illinois cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #556 of 2,153 nationally.