Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Bowling Green, KY recorded 40 traffic deaths in 37 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 67/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 67% of ranked US cities (#16 of 31 in Kentucky, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Bowling Green, Kentucky?
Bowling Green has a Road Danger Score of 67/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 37 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 40 people — 10.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Bowling Green ranks #16 out of 31 ranked cities in Kentucky and #708 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 67% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Bowling Green fell 12% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Bowling Green’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 37 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Bowling Green | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 5 | 13.5% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 4 | 10.8% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 8 | 21.6% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 17 | 45.9% | 49.8% |
Bowling Green Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Bowling Green, Kentucky 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 | 5 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Bowling Green, Kentucky?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Bowling Green recorded 37 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 40 traffic deaths — an average of 8.0 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Bowling Green?
Bowling Green has a Road Danger Score of 67/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 67% of ranked US cities. The city averages 10.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Bowling Green?
Of Bowling Green's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 14% involved a drinking driver, 11% involved speeding, 22% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 46% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Bowling Green each year?
An average of 8.0 people per year died in car accidents in Bowling Green across 2020–2024 (40 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Bowling Green more dangerous than in other Kentucky cities?
Bowling Green ranks #16 of 31 ranked Kentucky cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #708 of 2,153 nationally.