Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Portsmouth, VA recorded 45 traffic deaths in 42 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 9.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 60/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 60% of ranked US cities (#10 of 30 in Virginia, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Portsmouth, Virginia?
Portsmouth has a Road Danger Score of 60/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 42 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 45 people — 9.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Portsmouth ranks #10 out of 30 ranked cities in Virginia and #860 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 60% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Portsmouth's fatal crashes: dark / nighttime conditions — 64% of fatal crashes, versus 50% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Portsmouth rose 29% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Portsmouth’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 42 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Portsmouth | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 13 | 31.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 15 | 35.7% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 10 | 23.8% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 27 | 64.3% | 49.8% |
Portsmouth Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Portsmouth, Virginia 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 | 6 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2020 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Portsmouth, Virginia?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Portsmouth recorded 42 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 45 traffic deaths — an average of 9.0 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth has a Road Danger Score of 60/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 60% of ranked US cities. The city averages 9.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Portsmouth?
Of Portsmouth's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 31% involved a drinking driver, 36% involved speeding, 24% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 64% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Portsmouth each year?
An average of 9.0 people per year died in car accidents in Portsmouth across 2020–2024 (45 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Portsmouth more dangerous than in other Virginia cities?
Portsmouth ranks #10 of 30 ranked Virginia cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #860 of 2,153 nationally.