Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Pawtucket, RI recorded 20 traffic deaths in 19 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 5.2 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 28/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 28% of ranked US cities (#9 of 14 in Rhode Island, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Pawtucket, Rhode Island?
Pawtucket has a Road Danger Score of 28/100 (Safer Roads Than Most Cities). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 19 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 20 people — 5.2 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Pawtucket ranks #9 out of 14 ranked cities in Rhode Island and #1,556 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 28% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Pawtucket fell 27% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Pawtucket’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 19 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Pawtucket | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 6 | 31.6% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 6 | 31.6% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 5 | 26.3% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 9 | 47.4% | 49.8% |
Pawtucket Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Pawtucket, Rhode Island 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 | 2 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2020 | 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Pawtucket, Rhode Island?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Pawtucket recorded 19 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 20 traffic deaths — an average of 4.0 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Pawtucket?
Pawtucket has a Road Danger Score of 28/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 28% of ranked US cities. The city averages 5.2 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Pawtucket?
Of Pawtucket's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 32% involved a drinking driver, 32% involved speeding, 26% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 47% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Pawtucket each year?
An average of 4.0 people per year died in car accidents in Pawtucket across 2020–2024 (20 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Pawtucket more dangerous than in other Rhode Island cities?
Pawtucket ranks #9 of 14 ranked Rhode Island cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,556 of 2,153 nationally.