Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA data, Kentucky recorded 3,851 traffic deaths in 3,566 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 17.1 per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #11 of 50 states (most dangerous first); the US average is 12.3.
Traffic Deaths 2020–2024
Deaths per 100K per Year
State Rank
Kentucky Traffic Deaths by Year
The Most Dangerous Kentucky Cities to Drive In
All 31 ranked Kentucky cities by Road Danger Score (5-year traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, most dangerous first).
| # | City | Danger Score | Deaths (2020–2024) | Deaths per 100K/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somerset | 99/100 | 23 | 37.2 |
| 2 | Shively | 99/100 | 27 | 35.1 |
| 3 | Shepherdsville | 98/100 | 22 | 29.6 |
| 4 | Elizabethtown | 94/100 | 33 | 19.7 |
| 5 | Louisville Metro | 89/100 | 562 | 16.6 |
| 6 | Paducah | 87/100 | 21 | 15.8 |
| 7 | Radcliff | 86/100 | 17 | 15.0 |
| 8 | Campbellsville | 82/100 | 8 | 13.6 |
| 9 | Danville | 78/100 | 11 | 12.6 |
| 10 | Berea | 77/100 | 10 | 12.4 |
| 11 | Henderson | 76/100 | 17 | 12.3 |
| 12 | Shelbyville | 76/100 | 11 | 12.3 |
| 13 | Franklin | 72/100 | 6 | 11.4 |
| 14 | Owensboro | 71/100 | 34 | 11.3 |
| 15 | Nicholasville | 69/100 | 18 | 11.0 |
| 16 | Bowling Green | 67/100 | 40 | 10.3 |
| 17 | Bardstown | 65/100 | 7 | 10.1 |
| 18 | Georgetown | 65/100 | 20 | 10.0 |
| 19 | Murray | 64/100 | 9 | 9.9 |
| 20 | Hopkinsville | 54/100 | 13 | 8.5 |
| 21 | Winchester | 53/100 | 8 | 8.3 |
| 22 | Newport | 46/100 | 5 | 7.3 |
| 23 | Richmond | 43/100 | 13 | 6.8 |
| 24 | Frankfort | 40/100 | 9 | 6.4 |
| 25 | Covington | 39/100 | 13 | 6.3 |
| 26 | Florence | 37/100 | 10 | 6.0 |
| 27 | Ashland | 33/100 | 6 | 5.7 |
| 28 | Jeffersontown | 32/100 | 8 | 5.6 |
| 29 | Erlanger | 26/100 | 5 | 5.0 |
| 30 | Versailles | 16/100 | 5 | 3.6 |
| 31 | Independence | 2/100 | 1 | 0.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many car accidents happen in Kentucky?
NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 3,566 fatal car accidents in Kentucky from 2020 to 2024, killing 3,851 people — an average of 770 traffic deaths per year.
How dangerous are Kentucky roads compared to other states?
Kentucky averages 17.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #11 of 50 states (most dangerous first). The US average is 12.3 per 100,000.
What causes fatal car accidents in Kentucky?
Of Kentucky's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 26% involved a drinking driver, 16% involved speeding, and 42% happened in dark conditions.
Which Kentucky city is the most dangerous to drive in?
Among ranked Kentucky cities, Somerset has the highest Road Danger Score (99/100) at 37.2 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year.