Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Lake Charles, LA recorded 51 traffic deaths in 47 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 13.1 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 80/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 80% of ranked US cities (#18 of 31 in Louisiana, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Lake Charles, Louisiana?
Lake Charles has a Road Danger Score of 80/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 47 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 51 people — 13.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Lake Charles ranks #18 out of 31 ranked cities in Louisiana and #425 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 80% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Lake Charles's fatal crashes: pedestrian or cyclist involved — 32% of fatal crashes, versus 23% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Lake Charles fell 41% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Lake Charles’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 47 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Lake Charles | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 11 | 23.4% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 12 | 25.5% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 15 | 31.9% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 27 | 57.4% | 49.8% |
Lake Charles Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Lake Charles, Louisiana 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 | 8 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2020 | 10 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Lake Charles, Louisiana?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Lake Charles recorded 47 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 51 traffic deaths — an average of 10.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles has a Road Danger Score of 80/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 80% of ranked US cities. The city averages 13.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Lake Charles?
Of Lake Charles's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 23% involved a drinking driver, 26% involved speeding, 32% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 57% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Lake Charles each year?
An average of 10.2 people per year died in car accidents in Lake Charles across 2020–2024 (51 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Lake Charles more dangerous than in other Louisiana cities?
Lake Charles ranks #18 of 31 ranked Louisiana cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #425 of 2,153 nationally.