Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Sioux Falls, SD recorded 60 traffic deaths in 53 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 5.7 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 33/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 33% of ranked US cities (#3 of 4 in South Dakota, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Sioux Falls, South Dakota?
Sioux Falls has a Road Danger Score of 33/100 (Safer Roads Than Most Cities). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 53 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 60 people — 5.7 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Sioux Falls ranks #3 out of 4 ranked cities in South Dakota and #1,447 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 33% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Sioux Falls's fatal crashes: drinking driver involved — 38% of fatal crashes, versus 26% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Sioux Falls fell 12% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Sioux Falls’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 53 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Sioux Falls | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 20 | 37.7% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 17 | 32.1% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 14 | 26.4% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 29 | 54.7% | 49.8% |
Sioux Falls Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Sioux Falls, South Dakota 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 | 11 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 16 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Sioux Falls, South Dakota?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Sioux Falls recorded 53 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 60 traffic deaths — an average of 12.0 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls has a Road Danger Score of 33/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 33% of ranked US cities. The city averages 5.7 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Sioux Falls?
Of Sioux Falls's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 38% involved a drinking driver, 32% involved speeding, 26% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 55% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Sioux Falls each year?
An average of 12.0 people per year died in car accidents in Sioux Falls across 2020–2024 (60 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Sioux Falls more dangerous than in other South Dakota cities?
Sioux Falls ranks #3 of 4 ranked South Dakota cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,447 of 2,153 nationally.