Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC recorded 516 traffic deaths in 481 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 66/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 66% of ranked US cities (#29 of 69 in North Carolina, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Charlotte - Mecklenburg, North Carolina?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a Road Danger Score of 66/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 481 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 516 people — 10.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Charlotte - Mecklenburg ranks #29 out of 69 ranked cities in North Carolina and #730 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 66% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Charlotte - Mecklenburg's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 43% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Charlotte - Mecklenburg fell 5% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Charlotte - Mecklenburg’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 481 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 169 | 35.1% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 205 | 42.6% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 145 | 30.1% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 295 | 61.3% | 49.8% |
Charlotte - Mecklenburg Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Charlotte - Mecklenburg, North Carolina 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 | 113 |
| 2023 | 89 |
| 2022 | 102 |
| 2021 | 111 |
| 2020 | 101 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Charlotte - Mecklenburg, North Carolina?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Charlotte - Mecklenburg recorded 481 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 516 traffic deaths — an average of 103.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Charlotte - Mecklenburg?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a Road Danger Score of 66/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 66% of ranked US cities. The city averages 10.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Charlotte - Mecklenburg?
Of Charlotte - Mecklenburg's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 35% involved a drinking driver, 43% involved speeding, 30% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 61% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Charlotte - Mecklenburg each year?
An average of 103.2 people per year died in car accidents in Charlotte - Mecklenburg across 2020–2024 (516 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Charlotte - Mecklenburg more dangerous than in other North Carolina cities?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg ranks #29 of 69 ranked North Carolina cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #730 of 2,153 nationally.