Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Cape Girardeau, MO recorded 24 traffic deaths in 23 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 11.8 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 74/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 74% of ranked US cities (#20 of 55 in Missouri, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?
Cape Girardeau has a Road Danger Score of 74/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 23 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 24 people — 11.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Cape Girardeau ranks #20 out of 55 ranked cities in Missouri and #556 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 74% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Cape Girardeau fell 10% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Cape Girardeau’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 23 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Cape Girardeau | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 1 | 4.3% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 6 | 26.1% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 3 | 13.0% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 7 | 30.4% | 49.8% |
Cape Girardeau Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Cape Girardeau, Missouri 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 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Cape Girardeau recorded 23 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 24 traffic deaths — an average of 4.8 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Cape Girardeau?
Cape Girardeau has a Road Danger Score of 74/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 74% of ranked US cities. The city averages 11.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Cape Girardeau?
Of Cape Girardeau's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 4% involved a drinking driver, 26% involved speeding, 13% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 30% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Cape Girardeau each year?
An average of 4.8 people per year died in car accidents in Cape Girardeau across 2020–2024 (24 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Cape Girardeau more dangerous than in other Missouri cities?
Cape Girardeau ranks #20 of 55 ranked Missouri cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #556 of 2,153 nationally.