Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Cedar Rapids, IA recorded 41 traffic deaths in 36 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 6.1 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 37/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 37% of ranked US cities (#13 of 24 in Iowa, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
Cedar Rapids has a Road Danger Score of 37/100 (Safer Roads Than Most Cities). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 36 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 41 people — 6.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Cedar Rapids ranks #13 out of 24 ranked cities in Iowa and #1,360 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 37% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Cedar Rapids's fatal crashes: drinking driver involved — 44% of fatal crashes, versus 26% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Cedar Rapids rose 91% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Cedar Rapids’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 36 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Cedar Rapids | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 16 | 44.4% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 12 | 33.3% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 6 | 16.7% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 15 | 41.7% | 49.8% |
Cedar Rapids Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa 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 | 17 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Cedar Rapids recorded 36 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 41 traffic deaths — an average of 8.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids has a Road Danger Score of 37/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 37% of ranked US cities. The city averages 6.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Cedar Rapids?
Of Cedar Rapids's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 44% involved a drinking driver, 33% involved speeding, 17% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 42% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Cedar Rapids each year?
An average of 8.2 people per year died in car accidents in Cedar Rapids across 2020–2024 (41 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Cedar Rapids more dangerous than in other Iowa cities?
Cedar Rapids ranks #13 of 24 ranked Iowa cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,360 of 2,153 nationally.