Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Dearborn Heights, MI recorded 14 traffic deaths in 14 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 4.7 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 23/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 23% of ranked US cities (#48 of 62 in Michigan, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Dearborn Heights, Michigan?
Dearborn Heights has a Road Danger Score of 23/100 (Safer Roads Than Most Cities). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 14 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 14 people — 4.7 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Dearborn Heights ranks #48 out of 62 ranked cities in Michigan and #1,664 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 23% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Dearborn Heights's fatal crashes: dark / nighttime conditions — 64% of fatal crashes, versus 50% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Dearborn Heights fell 50% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Dearborn Heights’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 14 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Dearborn Heights | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 2 | 14.3% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 1 | 7.1% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 4 | 28.6% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 9 | 64.3% | 49.8% |
Dearborn Heights Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Dearborn Heights, Michigan 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 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2020 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Dearborn Heights, Michigan?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Dearborn Heights recorded 14 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 14 traffic deaths — an average of 2.8 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Dearborn Heights?
Dearborn Heights has a Road Danger Score of 23/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 23% of ranked US cities. The city averages 4.7 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Dearborn Heights?
Of Dearborn Heights's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 14% involved a drinking driver, 7% involved speeding, 29% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 64% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Dearborn Heights each year?
An average of 2.8 people per year died in car accidents in Dearborn Heights across 2020–2024 (14 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Dearborn Heights more dangerous than in other Michigan cities?
Dearborn Heights ranks #48 of 62 ranked Michigan cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,664 of 2,153 nationally.