Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Reading, PA recorded 20 traffic deaths in 20 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 4.1 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 19/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 19% of ranked US cities (#30 of 54 in Pennsylvania, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes (5-Yr Total)
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Reading, Pennsylvania?
Reading has a Road Danger Score of 19/100 (Safer Roads Than Most Cities). Over the most recent five-year period, federal crash data recorded 20 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 20 people — 4.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Reading ranks #30 out of 54 ranked cities in Pennsylvania and #1,751 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 19% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Reading rose 11% comparing the first two years of the period with the most recent two years.
What’s Behind Reading’s Fatal Crashes
Share of the city’s 20 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Reading | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 4 | 20.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 4 | 20.0% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 6 | 30.0% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 10 | 50.0% | 49.8% |
Reading Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Reading, Pennsylvania 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 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the car accident statistics for Reading, Pennsylvania?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Reading recorded 20 fatal car accidents over the most recent five-year period, resulting in 20 traffic deaths — an average of 4.0 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Reading?
Reading has a Road Danger Score of 19/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 19% of ranked US cities. The city averages 4.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Reading?
Of Reading's fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period, 20% involved a drinking driver, 20% involved speeding, 30% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 50% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Reading each year?
An average of 4.0 people per year died in car accidents in Reading over the most recent five-year period (20 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Reading more dangerous than in other Pennsylvania cities?
Reading ranks #30 of 54 ranked Pennsylvania cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,751 of 2,153 nationally.