Car accident statistics for Pulaski County, Arkansas (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Pulaski County by year

Car accident deaths fell from 68 in 2020 to 61 in 2021, then rose to 77 in 2022. The count reached 79 in 2023 and 82 in 2024. The highest count was in 2024 and the lowest was in 2021. Comparing the endpoints, the 2024 count was 14 deaths higher than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths numbered 85 in 2020, 70 in 2021, 92 in 2022, 88 in 2023 and 91 in 2024. The car accident share was 80.0%, 87.1%, 83.7%, 89.8% and 90.1%, respectively. All traffic deaths reached their highest count in 2022, while the car accident share was highest in 2024.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Deaths within 30 days in crashes on public roads. 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and can be revised.

Who died in Pulaski County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 223 deaths, or 60.8% of car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 37 deaths, or 10.1%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 107 deaths, or 29.2%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

These categories describe everyone killed in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes. The nonoccupant grouping follows FARS person types and can include occupants of parked motor vehicles. It is therefore not a literal test of whether someone was outside a vehicle.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

Manner of collision identifies the first harmful event. Angle (side impact) accounted for 41 deaths (11.2%), Head-on for 39 (10.6%), Rear-end for 35 (9.5%) and Sideswipe for 11 (3.0%). Other recorded 3 deaths (0.8%); Unknown recorded 2 (0.5%).^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 236 car accident deaths (64.3%). This means the first harmful event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport. Examples include striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. A vehicle stopped in traffic can be in transport; physical movement does not determine the category.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Nighttime, defined as 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 227 car accident deaths (61.9%) in Pulaski County from 2020 through 2024. Daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 140 deaths (38.1%). Nighttime had the higher count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The urban classification recorded 299 deaths (81.5%), while rural recorded 67 (18.3%) and unknown recorded 1 (0.3%). These land-use figures classify deaths by crash location. Car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 18, representing 4.9% of the selected deaths during the period.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Arkansas and the United States

Pulaski County's car accident death rate was 18.3 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Arkansas recorded 17.4 and the United States recorded 10.5 on the same measure. The county rate was higher than both the state and national rates. No neighboring county rates are supplied in the fact sheet.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

The rate calculation divides deaths during the period by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates and multiplies by 100,000. It does not adjust for miles driven or visitors. The county's 367 deaths represented 13.8% of Arkansas's 2,655 deaths. The national count was 176,219 deaths. These death counts and population-based rates are separate measures.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates, so they show deaths per 100,000 residents per year. They do not adjust for miles driven or for visitors.

Recorded characteristics of all fatal crashes

Recorded characteristics cover all fatal crashes in Pulaski County, of any vehicle type, rather than only car accident deaths. Shares use all traffic deaths: Speeding-related recorded 78 deaths (18.3%); Roadway departure, 192 (45.1%); At an intersection, 72 (16.9%); and Pedestrian involved, 132 (31.0%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Motorcycle involved recorded 52 deaths (12.2%); Hit-and-run, 52 (12.2%); Driver distraction reported, 13 (3.1%); and In a work zone, 14 (3.3%). A crash can carry several characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These classifications are recorded characteristics, not findings of fault or cause.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

A crash can carry several characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These are recorded characteristics, not findings of fault.

About these figures

FARS is a census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes involving a motor vehicle on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. Counts follow crash location, not residence. Readers searching for a car accident lawyer should keep that location grouping in mind.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files; 2024 uses the revisable Annual Report File. Rates use summed annual Census population estimates, Vintage 2025, rather than the separately shown July 1, 2024 estimate. Dividing deaths by that sum and multiplying by 100,000 gives average annual deaths per 100,000 residents, without adjustments for miles driven or visitors.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Arkansas car accident statistics (2020-2024)

On related publications

• Truck accident statistics for Pulaski County, Arkansas (2020-2024) (truckaccidentlawyer.wiki)