Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, River Forest, IL recorded 6 traffic deaths in 3 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 10.8 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 68/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 68% of ranked US cities (#29 of 147 in Illinois, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes (5-Yr Total)
How Dangerous Are the Roads in River Forest, Illinois?
River Forest has a Road Danger Score of 68/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the most recent five-year period, federal crash data recorded 3 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 6 people — 10.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
River Forest ranks #29 out of 147 ranked cities in Illinois and #686 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 68% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in River Forest's fatal crashes: dark / nighttime conditions — 67% of fatal crashes, versus 50% nationally.
Traffic deaths in River Forest fell 100% comparing the first two years of the period with the most recent two years.
What’s Behind River Forest’s Fatal Crashes
Share of the city’s 3 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | River Forest | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 0 | 0.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 1 | 33.3% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 1 | 33.3% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 2 | 66.7% | 49.8% |
River Forest Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in River Forest, 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 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the car accident statistics for River Forest, Illinois?
According to NHTSA FARS data, River Forest recorded 3 fatal car accidents over the most recent five-year period, resulting in 6 traffic deaths — an average of 1.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in River Forest?
River Forest has a Road Danger Score of 68/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 68% of ranked US cities. The city averages 10.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in River Forest?
Of River Forest's fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period, 0% involved a drinking driver, 33% involved speeding, 33% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 67% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in River Forest each year?
An average of 1.2 people per year died in car accidents in River Forest over the most recent five-year period (6 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in River Forest more dangerous than in other Illinois cities?
River Forest ranks #29 of 147 ranked Illinois cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #686 of 2,153 nationally.