Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Paducah, KY recorded 21 traffic deaths in 18 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 15.8 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 87/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 87% of ranked US cities (#6 of 31 in Kentucky, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Paducah, Kentucky?
Paducah has a Road Danger Score of 87/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 18 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 21 people — 15.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Paducah ranks #6 out of 31 ranked cities in Kentucky and #273 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 87% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Paducah rose 11% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Paducah’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 18 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Paducah | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 3 | 16.7% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 3 | 16.7% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 3 | 16.7% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 5 | 27.8% | 49.8% |
Paducah Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Paducah, 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 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Paducah, Kentucky?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Paducah recorded 18 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 21 traffic deaths — an average of 4.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Paducah?
Paducah has a Road Danger Score of 87/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 87% of ranked US cities. The city averages 15.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Paducah?
Of Paducah's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 17% involved a drinking driver, 17% involved speeding, 17% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 28% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Paducah each year?
An average of 4.2 people per year died in car accidents in Paducah across 2020–2024 (21 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Paducah more dangerous than in other Kentucky cities?
Paducah ranks #6 of 31 ranked Kentucky cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #273 of 2,153 nationally.