Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Forest Lake, MN recorded 5 traffic deaths in 5 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 4.8 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 25/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 25% of ranked US cities (#19 of 45 in Minnesota, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
Forest Lake has a Road Danger Score of 25/100 (Safer Roads Than Most Cities). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 5 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 5 people — 4.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Forest Lake ranks #19 out of 45 ranked cities in Minnesota and #1,621 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 25% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Forest Lake's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 60% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
What’s Behind Forest Lake’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 5 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Forest Lake | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 2 | 40.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 3 | 60.0% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 0 | 0.0% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 0 | 0.0% | 49.8% |
Forest Lake Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Forest Lake, Minnesota 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 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Forest Lake, Minnesota?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Forest Lake recorded 5 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 5 traffic deaths — an average of 1.0 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Forest Lake?
Forest Lake has a Road Danger Score of 25/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 25% of ranked US cities. The city averages 4.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Forest Lake?
Of Forest Lake's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 40% involved a drinking driver, 60% involved speeding, 0% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 0% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Forest Lake each year?
An average of 1.0 people per year died in car accidents in Forest Lake across 2020–2024 (5 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Forest Lake more dangerous than in other Minnesota cities?
Forest Lake ranks #19 of 45 ranked Minnesota cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,621 of 2,153 nationally.