Car accident statistics for Pinellas County, Florida (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Pinellas County by year

Car accident deaths rose from 101 in 2020 to 143 in 2021, the highest annual count during the period. They then fell to 105 in 2022, 98 in 2023 and 95 in 2024. The lowest year was 2024, with 6 fewer deaths than 2020. All traffic deaths were 108 in 2020, 158 in 2021, 123 in 2022, 112 in 2023 and 108 in 2024.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The share of traffic deaths occurring in car accidents was 93.5% in 2020, 90.5% in 2021 and 85.4% in 2022. That share rose to 87.5% in 2023 and 88.0% in 2024, while the car accident death count fell in each of those years.^{[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 Pinellas County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 201 deaths, or 37.1% of car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024. People in other vehicles accounted for 99 deaths, or 18.3%. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 242 deaths, or 44.6%, the largest of the person categories.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes occurring in Pinellas County. The labels distinguish FARS person and vehicle groupings; they do not identify where people lived. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) is not a literal test of whether someone was outside a vehicle.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

By manner of collision, Angle (side impact) accounted for 131 deaths, or 24.2%; Head-on for 35, or 6.5%; Rear-end for 42, or 7.7%; and Sideswipe for 15, or 2.8%. Unknown accounted for 1 death, or 0.2%. These are death counts, not counts of crashes.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 318 car accident deaths, or 58.7%. This describes the first harmful event: examples include striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. It does not mean another vehicle had to be physically moving to qualify as a collision with a motor vehicle in transport; a vehicle stopped in traffic can qualify.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Nighttime, defined as 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 328 car accident deaths, or 60.5%, during 2020 through 2024. Daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 214 deaths, or 39.5%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The urban classification recorded 537 deaths, or 99.1%, while the rural classification recorded 1 death, or 0.2%. Land use was unknown for 4 deaths, or 0.7%. Crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 15 car accident deaths, or 2.8%. That figure counts deaths in those crashes, rather than the number of large trucks involved.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Florida and the United States

Pinellas County's car accident death rate was 11.3 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Florida's rate was 13.3, and the national rate was 10.5. The county rate was lower than the state rate and higher than the national rate.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

For the listed neighboring counties, Hillsborough County recorded a rate of 13.2 and Pasco County recorded 15.0. Pinellas County's rate was lower than each. Pasco County had the highest rate among the listed neighboring counties. These rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates and multiply by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors, and the deaths are counted by crash location rather than residency.^{[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 Pinellas County, of any vehicle type. Shares use all traffic deaths, rather than only car accident deaths. Speeding-related crashes accounted for 12.8%; roadway departure, 21.3%; at an intersection, 43.0%; pedestrian involved, 31.5%; motorcycle involved, 23.8%; hit-and-run, 9.2%; driver distraction reported, 5.4%; and in a work zone, 1.5%.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

At an intersection had the largest share of the listed characteristics. A crash can have several recorded characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These entries describe 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 traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. It excludes nonfatal crashes and injuries. Whether your search concerns statistics or a car accident lawyer, read these counts by crash location, not the deceased person's residence.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files; 2024 uses the revisable Annual Report File. Rates divide deaths by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates, Vintage 2025, and multiply by 100,000 to express average annual deaths per 100,000 residents. The separately displayed July 1, 2024 population estimate is not the denominator. Rates do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Car accident statistics for Hillsborough County, Florida (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Pasco County, Florida (2020-2024)
• Florida car accident statistics (2020-2024)