Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Dayton, OH recorded 111 traffic deaths in 101 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 16.5 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 88/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 88% of ranked US cities (#4 of 86 in Ohio, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Dayton, Ohio?
Dayton has a Road Danger Score of 88/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 101 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 111 people — 16.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Dayton ranks #4 out of 86 ranked cities in Ohio and #251 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 88% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Dayton fell 31% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Dayton’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 101 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Dayton | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 30 | 29.7% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 20 | 19.8% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 27 | 26.7% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 58 | 57.4% | 49.8% |
Dayton Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Dayton, Ohio 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 | 16 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2020 | 26 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Dayton, Ohio?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Dayton recorded 101 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 111 traffic deaths — an average of 22.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Dayton?
Dayton has a Road Danger Score of 88/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 88% of ranked US cities. The city averages 16.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Dayton?
Of Dayton's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 30% involved a drinking driver, 20% involved speeding, 27% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 57% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Dayton each year?
An average of 22.2 people per year died in car accidents in Dayton across 2020–2024 (111 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Dayton more dangerous than in other Ohio cities?
Dayton ranks #4 of 86 ranked Ohio cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #251 of 2,153 nationally.