Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA data, Pennsylvania recorded 5,876 traffic deaths in 5,498 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 9.1 per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #41 of 50 states (most dangerous first); the US average is 12.3.
Traffic Deaths 2020–2024
Deaths per 100K per Year
State Rank
Pennsylvania Traffic Deaths by Year
The Most Dangerous Pennsylvania Cities to Drive In
All 54 ranked Pennsylvania cities by Road Danger Score (5-year traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, most dangerous first).
| # | City | Danger Score | Deaths (2020–2024) | Deaths per 100K/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chester City | 90/100 | 29 | 17.1 |
| 2 | Harrisburg | 85/100 | 37 | 14.8 |
| 3 | Wyomissing Borough | 78/100 | 7 | 12.6 |
| 4 | Kingston | 64/100 | 7 | 9.8 |
| 5 | Mckeesport | 63/100 | 9 | 9.7 |
| 6 | Williamsport | 62/100 | 13 | 9.5 |
| 7 | Monroeville | 60/100 | 13 | 9.4 |
| 8 | Philadelphia | 59/100 | 712 | 9.2 |
| 9 | Pottsville | 58/100 | 6 | 9.0 |
| 10 | New Kensington | 54/100 | 5 | 8.5 |
| 11 | Jefferson Hills Borough | 53/100 | 5 | 8.3 |
| 12 | Erie | 51/100 | 37 | 8.0 |
| 13 | West Mifflin Borough | 47/100 | 7 | 7.5 |
| 14 | Hanover Borough | 45/100 | 6 | 7.2 |
| 15 | Pittsburgh | 44/100 | 111 | 7.0 |
| 16 | Allentown | 43/100 | 43 | 6.9 |
| 17 | Lebanon | 43/100 | 9 | 6.9 |
| 18 | Murrysville | 42/100 | 7 | 6.8 |
| 19 | Bethlehem | 41/100 | 26 | 6.6 |
| 20 | Johnstown | 36/100 | 6 | 6.0 |
| 21 | Wilkes Barre City | 35/100 | 13 | 5.9 |
| 22 | Scranton | 32/100 | 21 | 5.5 |
| 23 | Upper Merion Township | 31/100 | 10 | 5.5 |
| 24 | Warminster Township | 31/100 | 9 | 5.4 |
| 25 | Chambersburg Borough | 30/100 | 6 | 5.4 |
| 26 | Pottstown Borough | 27/100 | 6 | 5.1 |
| 27 | Norristown Borough | 26/100 | 9 | 5.0 |
| 28 | Altoona | 20/100 | 9 | 4.2 |
| 29 | Bensalem Township | 20/100 | 13 | 4.1 |
| 30 | Reading | 19/100 | 20 | 4.1 |
| 31 | York | 19/100 | 9 | 4.0 |
| 32 | Easton | 19/100 | 6 | 4.0 |
| 33 | Lancaster | 13/100 | 9 | 3.2 |
| 34 | Ross Township | 13/100 | 5 | 3.1 |
| 35 | Plum Borough | 12/100 | 4 | 3.1 |
| 36 | Hazleton | 10/100 | 4 | 2.7 |
| 37 | Cheltenham Township | 9/100 | 5 | 2.6 |
| 38 | Mccandless Township | 7/100 | 3 | 2.1 |
| 39 | Penn Hills Township | 7/100 | 4 | 2.0 |
| 40 | Ephrata | 6/100 | 3 | 1.8 |
| 41 | Middletown Township | 6/100 | 4 | 1.8 |
| 42 | Upper Darby Township | 5/100 | 7 | 1.7 |
| 43 | Derry Township | 5/100 | 2 | 1.6 |
| 44 | Lower Providence Township | 5/100 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 45 | Bristol Township | 5/100 | 4 | 1.5 |
| 46 | Moon Township | 3/100 | 1 | 0.8 |
| 47 | Shaler Township | 2/100 | 1 | 0.7 |
| 48 | Horsham Township | 2/100 | 1 | 0.7 |
| 49 | Westtown-East Goshen Regional | 2/100 | 1 | 0.7 |
| 50 | Manheim Township | 2/100 | 2 | 0.6 |
| 51 | Bethel Park Borough | 2/100 | 1 | 0.6 |
| 52 | Mount Lebanon | 2/100 | 1 | 0.6 |
| 53 | Cranberry Township | 2/100 | 1 | 0.6 |
| 54 | Haverford Township | 1/100 | 1 | 0.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many car accidents happen in Pennsylvania?
NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 5,498 fatal car accidents in Pennsylvania from 2020 to 2024, killing 5,876 people — an average of 1,175 traffic deaths per year.
How dangerous are Pennsylvania roads compared to other states?
Pennsylvania averages 9.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #41 of 50 states (most dangerous first). The US average is 12.3 per 100,000.
What causes fatal car accidents in Pennsylvania?
Of Pennsylvania's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 25% involved a drinking driver, 39% involved speeding, and 43% happened in dark conditions.
Which Pennsylvania city is the most dangerous to drive in?
Among ranked Pennsylvania cities, Chester City has the highest Road Danger Score (90/100) at 17.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year.