Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Portales, NM recorded 10 traffic deaths in 10 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 17.0 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 90/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 90% of ranked US cities (#5 of 16 in New Mexico, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes (5-Yr Total)
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Portales, New Mexico?
Portales has a Road Danger Score of 90/100 (High Road Danger). Over the most recent five-year period, federal crash data recorded 10 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 10 people — 17.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Portales ranks #5 out of 16 ranked cities in New Mexico and #208 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 90% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Portales's fatal crashes: drinking driver involved — 40% of fatal crashes, versus 26% nationally.
What’s Behind Portales’s Fatal Crashes
Share of the city’s 10 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Portales | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 4 | 40.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 2 | 20.0% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 2 | 20.0% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 4 | 40.0% | 49.8% |
Portales Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Portales, New Mexico 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 | 1 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the car accident statistics for Portales, New Mexico?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Portales recorded 10 fatal car accidents over the most recent five-year period, resulting in 10 traffic deaths — an average of 2.0 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Portales?
Portales has a Road Danger Score of 90/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 90% of ranked US cities. The city averages 17.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Portales?
Of Portales's fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period, 40% involved a drinking driver, 20% involved speeding, 20% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 40% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Portales each year?
An average of 2.0 people per year died in car accidents in Portales over the most recent five-year period (10 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Portales more dangerous than in other New Mexico cities?
Portales ranks #5 of 16 ranked New Mexico cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #208 of 2,153 nationally.