Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Waco, TX recorded 63 traffic deaths in 60 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 55/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 55% of ranked US cities (#100 of 195 in Texas, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Waco, Texas?
Waco has a Road Danger Score of 55/100 (Near-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 60 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 63 people — 8.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Waco ranks #100 out of 195 ranked cities in Texas and #969 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 55% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Waco's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 37% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Waco fell 44% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Waco’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 60 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Waco | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 12 | 20.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 22 | 36.7% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 16 | 26.7% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 32 | 53.3% | 49.8% |
Waco Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Waco, Texas 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 | 14 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2020 | 16 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Waco, Texas?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Waco recorded 60 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 63 traffic deaths — an average of 12.6 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Waco?
Waco has a Road Danger Score of 55/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 55% of ranked US cities. The city averages 8.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Waco?
Of Waco's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 20% involved a drinking driver, 37% involved speeding, 27% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 53% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Waco each year?
An average of 12.6 people per year died in car accidents in Waco across 2020–2024 (63 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Waco more dangerous than in other Texas cities?
Waco ranks #100 of 195 ranked Texas cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #969 of 2,153 nationally.