Car accident statistics for Tulsa County, Oklahoma (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Tulsa County by year

Car accident deaths rose from 73 in 2020 to 97 in 2021, then fell to 80 in 2022. The count rose to 87 in 2023 before falling to 67 in 2024. The highest count was 97 in 2021; the lowest was 67 in 2024. The 2024 count was 6 deaths lower than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths numbered 80 in 2020, 106 in 2021, 89 in 2022, 104 in 2023 and 84 in 2024. Car accidents accounted for 91.2%, 91.5%, 89.9%, 83.7% and 79.8% of those respective annual counts. Their share was highest in 2021 and lowest in 2024, while the lowest all-traffic death count occurred in 2020.^{[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 Tulsa County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 245 deaths, or 60.6% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 64 deaths, or 15.8%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 95 deaths, or 23.5%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

These labels classify the people killed in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes. The nonoccupant grouping follows FARS person types rather than a literal test of location inside a vehicle; it can include occupants of motor vehicles not in transport, such as parked vehicles.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. Angle (side impact) accounted for 118 deaths (29.2%), Head-on for 51 (12.6%), Rear-end for 34 (8.4%), Sideswipe for 8 (2.0%), and Other for 1 (0.2%).^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 192 deaths (47.5%). 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 motor vehicle in transport can be stopped in traffic, so the distinction does not depend on physical movement. These are car accident deaths, not crash counts.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Nighttime, from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 218 car accident deaths (54.0%) during 2020 through 2024. Daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 182 deaths (45.0%). Time of day was unknown for 4 deaths (1.0%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The urban classification recorded 371 deaths (91.8%), while the rural classification recorded 32 deaths (7.9%). Land use was unknown for 1 death (0.2%). Crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 41 car accident deaths, or 10.1%. That figure counts deaths in qualifying crashes with large-truck involvement, rather than the number of trucks or crashes.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Oklahoma and the United States

The average annual car accident death rate in Tulsa County was 11.9 deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Oklahoma's rate was 15.0, and the national rate was 10.5. The county rate was lower than the state rate and higher than the national rate. No neighboring county rates are listed in the supplied figures.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

These rates express average annual deaths per 100,000 residents using deaths divided by the sum of annual Census population estimates, multiplied by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. The county's 694,682 population estimate for 2024 is shown separately; that single-year population is not the denominator used for the reporting period's rate.^{[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 Tulsa County, of any vehicle type, rather than only car accidents. Shares use all traffic deaths: Speeding-related recorded 162 deaths (35.0%); Roadway departure, 164 (35.4%); At an intersection, 137 (29.6%); Pedestrian involved, 99 (21.4%); and Motorcycle involved, 99 (21.4%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Hit-and-run recorded 38 deaths (8.2%); Driver distraction reported, 35 (7.6%); and In a work zone, 18 (3.9%). A crash can carry several characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These entries 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. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and an occupant or nonoccupant death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. For readers searching for a car accident lawyer, these counts group deaths by crash location, not residence.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files; 2024 uses the revisable Annual Report File. Rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates for 2020 through 2024, using Vintage 2025, then multiply by 100,000. This yields average annual deaths per 100,000 residents without adjustments for miles driven or visitors. The separate July 1, 2024 population estimate is not the rate denominator.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Oklahoma car accident statistics (2020-2024)