Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA data, Ohio recorded 6,257 traffic deaths in 5,802 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 10.6 per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #34 of 50 states (most dangerous first); the US average is 12.3.
Traffic Deaths (5-Yr Total)
Deaths per 100K per Year
State Rank
Ohio Traffic Deaths by Year
The Most Dangerous Ohio Cities to Drive In
All 86 ranked Ohio cities by Road Danger Score (5-year traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, most dangerous first).
| # | City | Danger Score | Deaths (5-Yr) | Deaths per 100K/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside | 96/100 | 28 | 23.0 |
| 2 | East Cleveland | 93/100 | 13 | 19.5 |
| 3 | Cleveland | 91/100 | 328 | 18.1 |
| 4 | Dayton | 88/100 | 111 | 16.5 |
| 5 | Brooklyn | 88/100 | 9 | 16.3 |
| 6 | Trotwood | 87/100 | 18 | 15.7 |
| 7 | Maumee | 85/100 | 10 | 14.8 |
| 8 | Youngstown | 84/100 | 42 | 14.3 |
| 9 | Warrensville Heights | 81/100 | 9 | 13.4 |
| 10 | Euclid | 79/100 | 31 | 12.9 |
| 11 | Springdale | 78/100 | 7 | 12.6 |
| 12 | Toledo | 77/100 | 165 | 12.5 |
| 13 | Cincinnati | 76/100 | 191 | 12.3 |
| 14 | Akron | 75/100 | 112 | 11.9 |
| 15 | Monroe | 70/100 | 10 | 11.1 |
| 16 | Springfield | 70/100 | 32 | 11.1 |
| 17 | West Carrollton | 69/100 | 7 | 10.9 |
| 18 | Parma Heights | 68/100 | 11 | 10.7 |
| 19 | Norton | 67/100 | 6 | 10.6 |
| 20 | Canton | 66/100 | 35 | 10.2 |
| 21 | Middletown | 66/100 | 26 | 10.1 |
| 22 | Macedonia | 64/100 | 6 | 9.9 |
| 23 | Columbus | 61/100 | 435 | 9.5 |
| 24 | Clayton | 58/100 | 6 | 9.1 |
| 25 | Grove City | 56/100 | 19 | 8.8 |
| 26 | Sharonville | 56/100 | 6 | 8.7 |
| 27 | Franklin | 55/100 | 5 | 8.6 |
| 28 | Huber Heights | 53/100 | 18 | 8.3 |
| 29 | Oregon | 52/100 | 8 | 8.1 |
| 30 | Vandalia | 52/100 | 6 | 8.1 |
| 31 | Conneaut | 51/100 | 5 | 8.0 |
| 32 | Bedford | 50/100 | 5 | 7.8 |
| 33 | Lima | 48/100 | 13 | 7.5 |
| 34 | Lorain | 46/100 | 24 | 7.3 |
| 35 | Miamisburg | 44/100 | 7 | 7.1 |
| 36 | Maple Heights | 43/100 | 8 | 7.0 |
| 37 | Sandusky | 42/100 | 8 | 6.7 |
| 38 | Willoughby | 41/100 | 8 | 6.6 |
| 39 | Pataskala | 41/100 | 6 | 6.6 |
| 40 | Norwood | 39/100 | 6 | 6.3 |
| 41 | Mansfield | 35/100 | 14 | 5.8 |
| 42 | Portsmouth | 34/100 | 5 | 5.8 |
| 43 | Barberton | 34/100 | 7 | 5.7 |
| 44 | Strongsville | 33/100 | 13 | 5.7 |
| 45 | Elyria | 33/100 | 15 | 5.6 |
| 46 | Aurora | 32/100 | 5 | 5.6 |
| 47 | Athens | 32/100 | 7 | 5.6 |
| 48 | Streetsboro | 32/100 | 5 | 5.6 |
| 49 | Findlay | 31/100 | 11 | 5.5 |
| 50 | Green Township | 30/100 | 16 | 5.4 |
| 51 | Dublin | 29/100 | 13 | 5.3 |
| 52 | North Royalton | 28/100 | 8 | 5.2 |
| 53 | Troy | 28/100 | 7 | 5.2 |
| 54 | Fairborn | 28/100 | 9 | 5.2 |
| 55 | Warren | 27/100 | 10 | 5.1 |
| 56 | Hamilton | 27/100 | 16 | 5.1 |
| 57 | Marion | 27/100 | 9 | 5.1 |
| 58 | North Olmsted | 27/100 | 8 | 5.1 |
| 59 | Gahanna | 23/100 | 8 | 4.6 |
| 60 | Massillon | 21/100 | 7 | 4.3 |
| 61 | Fairfield | 19/100 | 9 | 4.1 |
| 62 | Cuyahoga Falls | 18/100 | 10 | 3.9 |
| 63 | Centerville | 17/100 | 5 | 3.8 |
| 64 | Westerville | 17/100 | 7 | 3.7 |
| 65 | Lancaster | 14/100 | 7 | 3.4 |
| 66 | North Ridgeville | 13/100 | 6 | 3.2 |
| 67 | Avon | 13/100 | 4 | 3.1 |
| 68 | Mentor | 12/100 | 7 | 3.0 |
| 69 | Wooster | 11/100 | 4 | 3.0 |
| 70 | Lakewood | 10/100 | 7 | 2.8 |
| 71 | Mason | 10/100 | 5 | 2.8 |
| 72 | Hilliard | 10/100 | 5 | 2.7 |
| 73 | Delaware | 9/100 | 6 | 2.6 |
| 74 | Reynoldsburg | 9/100 | 5 | 2.4 |
| 75 | Pickerington | 8/100 | 3 | 2.3 |
| 76 | Avon Lake | 8/100 | 3 | 2.3 |
| 77 | Kent | 8/100 | 3 | 2.2 |
| 78 | Stow | 6/100 | 3 | 1.8 |
| 79 | Kettering | 6/100 | 5 | 1.8 |
| 80 | Westlake | 6/100 | 3 | 1.8 |
| 81 | Upper Arlington | 6/100 | 3 | 1.7 |
| 82 | Perrysburg | 5/100 | 2 | 1.6 |
| 83 | Medina | 5/100 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 84 | Shaker Heights | 4/100 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 85 | Marysville | 2/100 | 1 | 0.7 |
| 86 | Brunswick | 2/100 | 1 | 0.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many car accidents happen in Ohio?
NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 5,802 fatal car accidents in Ohio over the most recent five-year period, killing 6,257 people — an average of 1,251 traffic deaths per year.
How dangerous are Ohio roads compared to other states?
Ohio averages 10.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #34 of 50 states (most dangerous first). The US average is 12.3 per 100,000.
What causes fatal car accidents in Ohio?
Of Ohio's fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period, 32% involved a drinking driver, 22% involved speeding, and 46% happened in dark conditions.
Which Ohio city is the most dangerous to drive in?
Among ranked Ohio cities, Riverside has the highest Road Danger Score (96/100) at 23.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year.