| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 157[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 25[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 4.7[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 674,674[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Providence County, Rhode Island, recorded 157 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, accounting for 85.3% of its 184 traffic deaths. Those deaths occurred in 149 fatal crashes involving passenger vehicles. In 2024, the county recorded 25 car accident deaths, representing 83.3% of 30 traffic deaths that year. The annual average for the full period was 31.4 deaths.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
A car accident here means a fatal crash involving at least one passenger car, SUV, pickup or van. The count includes everyone killed in those crashes, across the categories People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans, People in other vehicles, and Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping). These Providence County car accident statistics use NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Census Bureau population estimates.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
- Car accident deaths in Providence County by year
- Who died in Providence County car accidents
- How the fatal car crashes happened
- Time of day and setting
- Car accident death rate compared with Rhode Island and the United States
- Recorded characteristics of all fatal crashes
- About these figures
- See also
- References
Car accident deaths in Providence County by year
Car accident deaths fell from 33 in 2020 to 29 in 2021 and 26 in 2022. The count then rose to 44 in 2023 before falling to 25 in 2024. The highest count was in 2023, and the lowest was in 2024. The 2024 count was 8 deaths lower than the 2020 count.[1][2][3][4][5]
All traffic deaths followed a sequence of 38, 35, 29, 52 and 30 for those respective years. The share recorded in car accidents was 86.8% in 2020, 82.9% in 2021, 89.7% in 2022, 84.6% in 2023 and 83.3% in 2024. The highest share occurred in 2022, while the lowest share occurred in 2021.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 33 | 38 | 86.8% |
| 2021 | 29 | 35 | 82.9% |
| 2022 | 26 | 29 | 89.7% |
| 2023 | 44 | 52 | 84.6% |
| 2024 | 25 | 30 | 83.3% |
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 Providence County car accidents
People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 102 deaths, or 65.0% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 15 deaths, or 9.6%, making it the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 40 deaths, or 25.5%.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Each category counts deaths in crashes involving a passenger vehicle, using the crash location rather than the person's home county. For readers searching for a car accident lawyer, the grouping to keep in mind is where the crash happened.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Manner of collision identifies the first harmful event. Head-on recorded 23 deaths (14.6%); Angle (side impact), 20 (12.7%); Rear-end, 7 (4.5%); and Sideswipe, 4 (2.5%). Other recorded 2 deaths (1.3%), and Unknown recorded 1 (0.6%).[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 100 car accident deaths (63.7%). 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; the classification does not require physical movement.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Nighttime, from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 90 car accident deaths, or 57.3%, during 2020 through 2024. Daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 67 deaths, or 42.7%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.[1][2][3][4][5]
The land-use classification recorded 138 deaths as Urban (87.9%), 16 as Rural (10.2%) and 3 as Unknown (1.9%). These classifications describe the crash locations. Separately, crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 11 car accident deaths, or 7.0% of the passenger-vehicle-involved death count.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with Rhode Island and the United States
Providence County's car accident death rate was 4.7 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Rhode Island's rate was 4.6, and the national rate was 10.5. The county rate was higher than the state rate and lower than the national rate.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
The listed neighboring counties in Massachusetts had rates of 5.5 in Worcester County, 5.0 in Norfolk County and 6.3 in Bristol County. Providence County's rate was lower than each of these rates. Among the listed neighboring counties, Bristol County had the highest rate and Norfolk County the lowest. These rates use annual Census population estimates and do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Area | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| Providence County, Rhode Island | 157 | 4.7 |
| Rhode Island | 254 | 4.6 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| Worcester County, Massachusetts (neighbor) | 238 | 5.5 |
| Norfolk County, Massachusetts (neighbor) | 184 | 5.0 |
| Bristol County, Massachusetts (neighbor) | 183 | 6.3 |
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 Providence County, of any vehicle type. Shares use all traffic deaths, rather than only car accident deaths. Roadway departure accounted for 58.7%; Speeding-related, 45.1%; At an intersection, 29.3%; and Pedestrian involved, 21.2%. Motorcycle involved accounted for 17.9%, while Hit-and-run accounted for 9.2%. Driver distraction reported and In a work zone each accounted for 1.6%.[1][2][3][4][5]
A crash can have several recorded characteristics, so these rows overlap and do not add to 100%. The entries describe recorded crash characteristics; they are not findings of fault or cause.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Recorded crash characteristic (all fatal crashes) | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Share of all traffic deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding-related | 83 | 45.1% |
| Roadway departure | 108 | 58.7% |
| At an intersection | 54 | 29.3% |
| Pedestrian involved | 39 | 21.2% |
| Motorcycle involved | 33 | 17.9% |
| Hit-and-run | 17 | 9.2% |
| Driver distraction reported | 3 | 1.6% |
| In a work zone | 3 | 1.6% |
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 a death within 30 days. Counts follow the county where the crash happened, not where the person lived. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. Data for 2020 through 2023 are Final Files; the 2024 Annual Report File can be revised.[8][6][7]
Rates divide 2020 through 2024 deaths by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025 and multiply by 100,000. The result is average annual deaths per 100,000 residents, without adjustments for miles driven or visitors. The separate July 1, 2024 population estimate of 674,674 is not the rate denominator.[8][6][7]
See also
References
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2021 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2023 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwx "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2024 national data files (Annual Report File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghi "Annual resident population estimates for counties, April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA)". U.S. Census Bureau. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefgh "Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical User's Manual, 1975-2024 (DOT HS 813 794)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- ab "Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024 (DOT HS 813 791, April 2026)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record