Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Des Moines, IA recorded 104 traffic deaths in 93 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 9.9 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 65/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 65% of ranked US cities (#3 of 24 in Iowa, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Des Moines, Iowa?
Des Moines has a Road Danger Score of 65/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 93 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 104 people — 9.9 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Des Moines ranks #3 out of 24 ranked cities in Iowa and #751 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 65% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Des Moines's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 44% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Des Moines fell 17% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Des Moines’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 93 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Des Moines | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 27 | 29.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 41 | 44.1% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 19 | 20.4% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 46 | 49.5% | 49.8% |
Des Moines Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Des Moines, 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 | 20 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2020 | 23 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Des Moines, Iowa?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Des Moines recorded 93 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 104 traffic deaths — an average of 20.8 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Des Moines?
Des Moines has a Road Danger Score of 65/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 65% of ranked US cities. The city averages 9.9 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Des Moines?
Of Des Moines's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 29% involved a drinking driver, 44% involved speeding, 20% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 50% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Des Moines each year?
An average of 20.8 people per year died in car accidents in Des Moines across 2020–2024 (104 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Des Moines more dangerous than in other Iowa cities?
Des Moines ranks #3 of 24 ranked Iowa cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #751 of 2,153 nationally.