Traffic Safety Facts

2018 Data
May 2020 DOT HS 812 957

Rural/Urban Comparison of
In this fact sheet for 2018 the
Traffic Fatalities
information is presented as For this fact sheet, rural and urban boundaries are determined by the State highway departments and
follows. approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The State highway departments use the
• Overview boundaries decided by the Census Bureau.1
• Environmental Characteristics
• Speeding Key Findings
• Drivers
■ Of the 36,560 motor vehicle traffic fatalities in ■ Speeding-related fatalities occurred in almost
2018 there were 16,411 (45%) that occurred equal proportions in rural and urban areas.
• Alcohol in rural areas, 19,498 (53%) that occurred in Of the 16,411 rural traffic fatalities in 2018,
• Restraint Use urban areas, and 651 (2%) that occurred in there were 4,347 (26%) killed in speeding-
• Rollover Crashes unknown areas. related crashes. Of the 19,498 urban traffic
fatalities in 2018, there were 4,958 (25%)
• Nonoccupants ■ According to the 2018 American Community
killed in speeding-related crashes.
Survey from the Census Bureau, an estimated
• Fatalities by State
19 percent of the U.S. population lived in ■ Rural alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities
rural areas, and according to FHWA only decreased by 23 percent from 6,160 in
30 percent of the total vehicle miles traveled 2009 to 4,714 in 2018, while urban alcohol-
in 2018 were in rural areas. However, rural impaired-driving fatalities increased by 23
areas accounted for 45 percent of all traffic percent from 4,579 in 2009 to 5,649 in 2018.
fatalities in 2018.
■ The 2018 National Occupant Protection Use
■ Rural traffic fatalities decreased by 15 percent Survey (NOPUS) observed that the seat belt
from 19,323 in 2009 to 16,411 in 2018, use rate among front seat passenger vehicle
whereas urban traffic fatalities increased by occupants in urban areas was 89.4 percent,
34 percent from 14,501 in 2009 to 19,498 in and rural occupants were observed to have a
2018. use rate of 90.1 percent.
■ In 2018 the fatality rate per 100 million ■ Based on known restraint use in fatal
vehicle miles traveled was 2 times higher crashes, 49 percent of rural passenger vehicle
in rural areas than in urban areas (1.68 and occupants killed in 2018 were unrestrained as
0.86, respectively). compared to 45 percent of urban passenger
vehicle occupants killed.

This fact sheet contains information on fatal motor vehicle crashes and fatalities, based on data
from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Refer to the end of this publication for more
information on FARS.

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE See the Census Bureau link to define urban and rural areas at www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/
1

Washington, DC 20590 geo-areas/urban-rural/2010-urban-rural.html

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA

Overview
In 2018: ■ According to the 2018 American Community Survey from the
Census Bureau, an estimated 19 percent of the U.S. population
There were 33,654 fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes resulting in
lived in rural areas, and according to FHWA only 30 percent
36,560 fatalities.
of the total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2018 were in rural
■ Of these 33,654 fatal traffic crashes, 14,760 (44%) occurred areas. However, rural areas accounted for 45 percent of all traffic
in rural areas, 18,285 (54%) occurred in urban areas, and 609 fatalities in 2018.
(2%) occurred in unknown areas (not enough information
to determine if the crashes were inside the rural or urban Figure 1 presents the motor vehicle traffic fatality trends in the most
boundaries). recent 10-year period for which data is available by land use:

■ Of these 36,560 traffic fatalities, 16,411 (45%) occurred in rural ■ Rural fatalities decreased by 15 percent from 19,323 in 2009 to
areas, 19,498 (53%) occurred in urban areas, and 651 (2%) 16,411 in 2018.
occurred in unknown areas. ■ Urban fatalities increased by 34 percent from 14,501 in 2009 to
19,498 in 2018.

Figure 1
Fatalities, by Year and Land Use, 2009–2018

25,000

19,976 19,498
19,323 19,357
20,000 18,089 18,367
17,769 17,739 17,715
16,791
18,321
17,573 17,405
15,000
Fatalities

15,917 16,411
15,371 15,119
14,501 14,659 14,575

10,000

5,000
Rural Urban

0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Source: FARS 2009–2017 Final File, 2018 Annual Report File (ARF)
Excludes fatalities of unknown land use.

The number of urban fatalities has been larger than the number ■ Pedalcyclist fatalities in urban areas increased by 48 percent since
of rural fatalities since 2016. In years prior to 2016 rural fatalities 2009; rural areas decreased by 9 percent.
were larger than urban fatalities. Below are some factors that could
■ Motorcyclist fatalities in urban areas increased by 33 percent
explain the rise in urban fatalities.
since 2009; rural areas decreased by 15 percent.
■ Urban VMT increased by 15 percent since 2009; rural VMT
decreased by 0.3 percent. Figure 2 presents the fatality rates per 100 million VMT by land
use (rural, urban, and overall) in the most recent 10-year period for
■ According to the Census Bureau, urban population increased by which data is available.
13 percent from 2009 to 2018 and rural population decreased by
13 percent. ■ The fatality rate in rural areas decreased by 15 percent from 1.97
in 2009 to 1.68 in 2018.
■ Passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in urban areas increased by
21 percent since 2009, rural areas decreased by 19 percent. ■ The fatality rate in urban areas increased by 18 percent from 0.73
in 2009 to 0.86 in 2018.
■ Pedestrian fatalities in urban areas increased by 69 percent since
2009; rural areas increased by 0.1 percent. ■ In 2018 the fatality rate was 2 times higher in rural areas than in
urban areas (1.68 and 0.86, respectively).

2 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

Figure 2
Fatality Rates per 100 Million VMT, by Year and Land Use, 2009–2018

2.50
Fatality Rate Per 100 Million VMT

1.97 1.91 1.93

2.00 1.84 1.88 1.88
1.82 1.82 1.81
1.68

1.50
1.15 1.11 1.14 1.15 1.19 1.17 1.13
1.10 1.10 1.08
1.00

0.87 0.89 0.86

0.77 0.76 0.81
0.73 0.74 0.74 0.74
0.50
Rural Urban Overall

0.00
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Sources: FARS 2009-2017 Final File, 2018 ARF; VMT – FHWA

Environmental Characteristics
Time of Day Light Condition
More rural traffic fatalities occurred during the day and more urban Table 1 shows fatalities in 2018 by light condition and land use.
traffic fatalities occurred during the night.
■ Of the 16,411 fatalities in rural areas, 8,921 (54%) occurred
■ Of the 16,411 rural traffic fatalities in 2018, there were 8,956 during daylight and 6,585 (40%) occurred when the light
(55%) that occurred during the day (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.), 7,305 conditions were dark; the remaining 905 (6%) fatalities occurred
(45%) occurred at night (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.), and 150 (< 1%) during dawn, dusk, or other/unknown light conditions.
occurred at unknown times.
■ Of the 19,498 urban fatalities, 10,554 (54%) occurred when the
■ Of the 19,498 urban traffic fatalities in 2018, there were 8,321 light conditions were dark, 8,063 (41%) occurred during daylight
(43%) that occurred during the day, 11,079 (57%) occurred at conditions, and 881 (5%) during dawn, dusk, or other/unknown
night, and 98 (<1%) occurred at unknown times. light conditions.

Table 1
Fatalities by Light Condition and Land Use, 2018
Land Use

Rural Urban Unknown Total

Light
Condition Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Daylight 8,921 54% 8,063 41% 310 48% 17,294 47%

Dark 6,585 40% 10,554 54% 296 45% 17,435 48%

Dawn 393 2% 305 2% 17 3% 715 2%

Dusk 393 2% 451 2% 19 3% 863 2%

Other/Unknown 119 1% 125 1% 9 1% 253 1%

Total 16,411 100% 19,498 100% 651 100% 36,560 100%

Source: FARS 2018 ARF

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 3
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA

In 2018, 79 percent of the fatalities in rural areas were in crashes ■ Of the 16,411 rural traffic fatalities, 4,347 (26%) were killed in
when the weather condition at the time of the crash was “clear,” 8 speeding-related crashes, the same percentage as all fatalities.
percent when it was raining, 2 percent when there was snow or sleet,
■ Of the 19,498 urban traffic fatalities, there were 4,958 (25%) who
and 11 percent during other weather conditions. In comparison, in
were killed in speeding-related crashes.
urban areas 82 percent of fatalities were in crashes when the weather
condition at the time of the crash was “clear,” 8 percent when it was Figure 3 shows the rural and urban percentages of speeding-related
raining, 1 percent when there was snow or sleet, and 9 percent fatalities in traffic crashes in 2018 by time of day (nighttime – 6
during other weather conditions. p.m. to 5:59 a.m.; daytime – 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) and day of week
(weekday – Monday 6 a.m. to Friday 5:59 p.m.; weekend – Friday 6
Speeding p.m. to Monday 5:59 a.m.):
NHTSA considers a crash to be speeding-related if the driver was ■ Fifty percent of rural speeding-related fatalities occurred at night
charged with a speeding-related offense or if an officer indicated that and 44 percent occurred over the weekend.
racing, driving too fast for conditions, or exceeding the posted speed
limit was a contributing factor in the crash. ■ Nearly two-thirds (62%) of urban speeding-related fatalities
occurred at night and 47 percent occurred over the weekend.
In 2018:
■ Of the 36,560 traffic fatalities, 9,378 (26%) were killed in
speeding-related crashes.

Figure 3
Percentages of Speeding-Related Fatalities in Traffic Crashes, by Land Use, Time of Day, and Day of Week, 2018
70%
62% Rural Urban
60% 56%
53%
50% 49%
50% 47%
44%
40% 38%

30%

20%

10%

0%
Nighttime Daytime Weekday Weekend
Time of Day Day of Week
Source: FARS 2018 ARF
Note: Nighttime – 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.
Daytime – 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.
Weekday – Monday 6 a.m. to Friday 5:59 p.m.
Weekend – Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 5:59 a.m.

The majority of rural fatal crashes occurred on roads where the Drivers
speed limit was 55 mph or higher, the opposite of urban fatal crashes.
Figure 4 shows drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2018
Specifically, 65 percent of drivers involved in urban fatal crashes in
by land use and age group. Driver fatalities in 2018 were higher in
2018 were on roadways where the posted speed limits were 50 mph
rural areas when compared to urban areas for almost all age groups
or less. In rural fatal crashes, 72 percent of drivers involved were on
except the 21-to-24, 25-to-34, 80-84, and 85+ age groups.
roadways where the posted speed limit was 55 mph or higher.
Drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2018 in rural areas were found to
have a higher percentage of valid driver’s licenses than urban drivers
(87% and 82%, respectively).

4 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

There were 22,925 drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in transported to hospitals and 2 percent of those drivers died en route.
2018. Sixty-seven percent of drivers killed in rural areas died at the Drivers in rural areas represented 58 percent of drivers who died en
scenes of the crashes, compared to 50 percent of drivers killed in route to hospitals compared to 41 percent for drivers in urban areas.
urban areas. Data also shows that 41 percent of all drivers killed were

Figure 4
Driver Fatalities, by Land Use and Age Group, 2018

3,000
Rural Urban
2,500 2,432
2,173
2,000 1,887
1,768
Fatalities

1,663
1,549 1,482 1,463
1,500
1,151
1,044
1,000 940
725 709
545 546
429 445
500 348 346
290 293 273

0
16-20 21-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+

Source: FARS 2018 ARF

Excludes driver fatalities of unknown land use and drivers under 16 years old.

Alcohol
Drivers are considered to be alcohol-impaired when their blood ■ Of the 10,511 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in 2018, there
alcohol concentrations (BACs) are .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or were 4,714 (45%) that occurred in rural areas, 5,649 (54%) that
higher. Thus, any fatality occurring in a crash involving a driver with occurred in urban areas, and 148 (1%) were unknowns.
a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher is considered to be an alcohol-impaired-
■ Alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities decreased by 2 percent from
driving fatality. Table 2 presents the number of traffic fatalities and
alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities by land use. 10,759 in 2009 to 10,511 in 2018.
• Rural alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities decreased by 23
■ In 2018 the proportion of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in
percent from 6,160 in 2009 to 4,714 in 2018.
both rural and urban areas was 29 percent.
• Urban alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities increased by 23
percent from 4,579 in 2009 to 5,649 in 2018.
Table 2
Total Fatalities and Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Fatalities, by Land Use, 2009 and 2018
2009 2018
Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Fatalities Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Fatalities
(BAC=.08+ g/dL) (BAC=.08+ g/dL)
Land Use Total Fatalities Number Percent Total Fatalities Number Percent
Rural 19,323 6,160 32% 16,411 4,714 29%
Urban 14,501 4,579 32% 19,498 5,649 29%
Total* 33,883 10,759 32% 36,560 10,511 29%
Source: FARS 2009 Final File, 2018 ARF
*Includes fatalities where land use was unknown.

Figure 5 shows alcohol-impaired-driving fatality rate per 100 million urban areas the alcohol-impaired-driving fatality rate has increased
VMT from 2009 to 2018. In rural areas, the alcohol-impaired- slightly from 0.23 in 2009 to 0.25 in 2018.
driving fatality rate declined from 0.63 in 2009 to 0.48 in 2018, but in

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 5
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA

Figure 5
Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Fatality Rate per 100 Million VMT, by Year and Land Use, 2009–2018

1.00
Rural Urban
Fatality Rate Per 100 Million VMT

0.80
0.63
0.59 0.58
0.60 0.56 0.55 0.56 0.55 0.54 0.52
0.48

0.40
0.24 0.26 0.26 0.25
0.23 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.23
0.20

0.00
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Sources: FARS 2009-2017 Final File, 2018 ARF; VMT – FHWA

Of the 51,490 drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes in 2018, there the 21-to-24 age group (27%), followed by the 25-to-34 age group
were 10,011 (19%) who were alcohol-impaired. Of these alcohol- (25%) and the 35-to-44 age group (21%).
impaired drivers, 4,362 (44%) were driving in rural areas at the time
of the crashes and 5,506 (55%) were driving in urban areas. In cases where drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2018 had one or
more previous convictions for driving while intoxicated, 48 percent
The highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal of rural drivers were alcohol-impaired and 47 percent of urban
crashes by age group in 2018 was the 21-to-24 age group (27%), drivers were alcohol-impaired.
followed by the 25-to-34 age group (25%) and the 35-to-44 age
group (21%). Rural alcohol-impaired drivers followed the same As shown in Figure 6, the most frequently recorded BAC among
trend with the 21-to-24 age group (28%), followed by the 25-to-34 drinking drivers involved in fatal crashes in rural areas was .18 g/dL
age group (27%) and the 35-to-44 age group (21%). Similarly, in and in urban areas was .16 g/dL.
urban areas the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers was

Figure 6
Distribution of BACs of Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes, by Land Use, 2018

1.40%
.08 g/dL
Percentage of Drivers Involved

1.20% Rural Urban

1.00%

0.80%
0.60%

0.40%

0.20%

0.00%
.01

.03

.05

.07

.09

.11

.13

.15

.17

.19

.21

.23

.25

.27

.29

.31

.33

.35

.37

.39

.41

.43

.45+

BAC Level (g/dL)

Source: FARS 2018 ARF

6 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

Of the all drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2018, in rural areas trucks (3%). In urban areas the proportion of alcohol-impaired
the proportion of alcohol-impaired drivers (BAC=.08+ g/dL) was (BAC=.08+ g/dL) was highest among motorcycle riders (26%),
highest for drivers of motorcycles (24%), followed by pickup trucks followed by passenger cars (21%), pickup trucks (19%), SUVs
(23%), passenger cars (22%), SUVs (20%), vans (14%), and large (18%), vans (12%), and large trucks (3%).

Table 3
Total Drivers and Alcohol-Impaired Drivers Involved, by Vehicle Type and Land Use, 2017
Rural Urban Total*

Total Alcohol-Impaired Total Alcohol-Impaired Total Alcohol-Impaired

Drivers (BAC =.08+ g/dL) Drivers (BAC =.08+ g/dL) Drivers (BAC =.08+ g/dL)

Vehicle Type Number Number Percent Number Number Percent Number Number Percent

Passenger Car 7,596 1,643 22% 12,182 2,519 21% 20,175 4,217 21%

Light Truck** 9,169 1,929 21% 10,185 1,810 18% 19,663 3,782 19%

– Pickup 4,552 1,054 23% 3,920 746 19% 8,595 1,822 21%

– SUV 3,718 751 20% 5,022 915 18% 8,883 1,679 19%

– Van 848 115 14% 1,184 137 12% 2,070 256 12%

Large Truck 2,745 89 3% 2,011 56 3% 4,786 146 3%

Motorcycle 1,920 460 24% 3,062 804 26% 5,108 1,295 25%

Total*** 22,138 4,362 20% 28,445 5,506 19% 51,490 10,011 19%
Source: FARS 2018 ARF
*Includes drivers involved when land use was unknown.
**Includes other/unknown light-truck vehicle types.
***Includes buses and other/unknown vehicle types.

Restraint Use
The 2018 NOPUS observed that the seat belt use rate among front (based on known restraint use) of unrestrained passenger vehicle
seat passenger vehicle (defined as passenger cars and light trucks) occupant fatalities by vehicle type (passenger cars and light trucks
occupants in urban areas was 89.4 percent, and rural occupants including pickups, SUVs, and vans). In 2018 (based on known
were observed to have a use rate of 90.1 percent (see the NHTSA restraint use):
Research Note, Seat Belt Use in 2018 – Overall Results, Report No.
■ Forty-nine percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed in
DOT HS 812 662, at https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/
rural areas were unrestrained as compared to 45 percent of the
ViewPublication/812662).
passenger vehicle occupants killed in urban areas.
Of the 22,697 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2018, there were ■ Sixty percent of rural pickup occupants killed were unrestrained
12,068 (53%) killed in rural areas and 10,330 (46%) were killed in – the highest percentage of any passenger vehicle occupants
urban areas. Figure 7 presents the 2018 rural and urban percentages killed among both rural and urban areas.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 7
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA

Figure 7
Percentages of Unrestrained* Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities, by Land Use and Vehicle Type, 2018
70%
Rural Urban 60% Light Trucks
60% 57%
55% 53%
51%
49% 48%
50%
45%
43% 42%
41% 40%
40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
All Passenger Vehicles Passenger Cars Light Trucks Pickups SUVs Vans

Source: FARS 2018 ARF

*Based on known restraint use.

Rollover Crashes
Of the 12,068 passenger vehicle occupants killed in rural areas in Fatalities by State
2018, there were 4,159 (34%) killed in vehicles that rolled over. Table 4 presents the number and percentage of rural and urban
Of the 10,330 passenger vehicle occupants killed in urban areas, traffic fatalities, VMT, and fatality rate per 100 million VMT for
2,285 (22%) were in vehicles that rolled over. Data further shows each State and the District of Columbia in 2018. Puerto Rico is
that of those killed in rollover vehicles, 66 percent passenger included in this table, but not included in the overall U.S. total. In
vehicle occupants in rural areas and 65 percent of passenger 2018, fatality rates per 100 million VMT among States (excluding
vehicle occupants in urban areas were unrestrained (based on the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) in rural areas ranged
known restraint use). SUVs involved in rural fatal crashes in 2018 from 0.85 in Maryland to 2.66 in South Carolina, and in urban areas
experienced the highest rollover percentage at 33 percent. Other ranged from 0.33 in Vermont to 1.52 in Louisiana.
rural rollover percentages were 28 percent for pickups, 19 percent
each for vans and passenger cars, and 16 percent for large trucks. Additional State/county-level data is available at NHTSA’s State
In urban areas, vehicles experienced lower rollover percentages: 15 Traffic Safety Information website at https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/stsi.
percent for SUVs, 14 percent for pickups, 8 percent each for both htm.
passenger cars and vans, and 7 percent for large trucks.
In 2018 the rural fatality rate per 100 million VMT was two times
Of the vehicles involved in 2018 in single-vehicle fatal crashes, 48 higher in rural areas compared to urban areas (1.68 and 0.86,
percent of the vehicles in rural areas and 18 percent in urban areas respectively). The two columns on the right side of Table 4 show the
rolled over, whereas in multi-vehicle fatal crashes, 9 percent of the fatality rates per 100 million VMT for rural and urban areas by State.
vehicles in rural areas and 6 percent in urban areas rolled over.

Nonoccupants
Nonoccupants are defined as pedestrians, pedalcyclists, or other
nonoccupants. In 2018:
■ Of the 6,283 pedestrians killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes,
1,147 (18%) died in rural areas, 4,975 (79%) died in urban areas,
and 161 (3%) died in unknown areas.
■ Of the 857 pedalcyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes,
174 (20%) died in rural areas, 645 (75%) died in urban areas, and
38 (4%) died in unknown areas.

8 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

Table 4
Fatalities, VMT, and Fatality Rate per 100 Million VMT, by State and Land Use, 2018
Land Use Fatality Rate Per
Rural Urban Unknown Total Fatalities VMT (million) 100 Million VMT
State Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Rural Urban Rural Urban
Alabama 541 57% 412 43% 0 0% 953 100% 28,788 42,379 1.88 0.97
Alaska 41 51% 39 49% 0 0% 80 100% 2,277 3,211 1.80 1.21
Arizona 318 31% 680 67% 12 1% 1,010 100% 16,343 49,802 1.95 1.37
Arkansas 306 59% 210 41% 0 0% 516 100% 17,787 18,888 1.72 1.11
California 1,072 30% 2,490 70% 1 0% 3,563 100% 58,432 290,364 1.83 0.86
Colorado 259 41% 373 59% 0 0% 632 100% 15,894 38,059 1.63 0.98
Connecticut 39 13% 252 86% 3 1% 294 100% 3,159 28,437 1.23 0.89
Delaware 54 49% 57 51% 0 0% 111 100% 2,470 7,710 2.19 0.74
District of Columbia 1 3% 30 97% 0 0% 31 100% 0 3,691 0.00 0.81
Florida 724 23% 1,860 59% 549 18% 3,133 100% 36,742 185,074 1.97 1.01
Georgia 508 34% 996 66% 0 0% 1,504 100% 32,849 98,607 1.55 1.01
Hawaii 26 22% 91 78% 0 0% 117 100% 1,845 9,042 1.41 1.01
Idaho 168 73% 63 27% 0 0% 231 100% 10,180 7,529 1.65 0.84
Illinois 386 37% 645 63% 0 0% 1,031 100% 25,652 82,302 1.50 0.78
Indiana 524 61% 333 39% 1 0% 858 100% 29,691 51,837 1.76 0.64
Iowa 254 80% 64 20% 0 0% 318 100% 19,717 13,566 1.29 0.47
Kansas 308 76% 95 24% 1 0% 404 100% 15,345 16,846 2.01 0.56
Kentucky 515 71% 208 29% 1 0% 724 100% 26,616 22,928 1.93 0.91
Louisiana 304 40% 463 60% 1 0% 768 100% 19,534 30,511 1.56 1.52
Maine 117 85% 19 14% 1 1% 137 100% 10,178 4,605 1.15 0.41
Maryland 90 18% 403 80% 8 2% 501 100% 10,648 49,128 0.85 0.82
Massachusetts 36 10% 323 90% 1 0% 360 100% 3,069 63,703 1.17 0.51
Michigan 407 42% 566 58% 1 0% 974 100% 31,204 71,194 1.30 0.80
Minnesota 218 57% 160 42% 3 1% 381 100% 24,672 35,766 0.88 0.45
Mississippi 440 66% 224 34% 0 0% 664 100% 23,833 16,898 1.85 1.33
Missouri 512 56% 409 44% 0 0% 921 100% 33,166 43,429 1.54 0.94
Montana 154 85% 28 15% 0 0% 182 100% 8,754 3,945 1.76 0.71
Nebraska 171 74% 59 26% 0 0% 230 100% 11,617 9,358 1.47 0.63
Nevada 89 27% 239 72% 2 1% 330 100% 5,701 22,618 1.56 1.06
New Hampshire 78 53% 69 47% 0 0% 147 100% 5,484 8,292 1.42 0.83
New Jersey 45 8% 509 90% 10 2% 564 100% 4,868 72,671 0.92 0.70
New Mexico 231 59% 158 40% 2 1% 391 100% 16,179 11,109 1.43 1.42
New York 466 49% 477 51% 0 0% 943 100% 25,303 98,207 1.84 0.49
North Carolina 843 59% 593 41% 1 0% 1,437 100% 41,166 79,962 2.05 0.74
North Dakota 91 87% 14 13% 0 0% 105 100% 6,882 2,974 1.32 0.47
Ohio 471 44% 580 54% 17 2% 1,068 100% 34,637 79,837 1.36 0.73
Oklahoma 429 65% 225 34% 1 0% 655 100% 22,096 23,337 1.94 0.96
Oregon 328 65% 178 35% 0 0% 506 100% 14,589 22,259 2.25 0.80
Pennsylvania 524 44% 660 55% 6 1% 1,190 100% 34,318 67,792 1.53 0.97
Rhode Island 15 25% 43 73% 1 2% 59 100% 913 7,095 1.64 0.61
South Carolina 681 66% 356 34% 0 0% 1,037 100% 25,596 31,205 2.66 1.14
South Dakota 117 90% 13 10% 0 0% 130 100% 6,786 2,934 1.72 0.44
Tennessee 471 45% 570 55% 0 0% 1,041 100% 25,892 55,429 1.82 1.03
Texas 1,520 42% 2,110 58% 12 0% 3,642 100% 76,747 205,290 1.98 1.03
Utah 93 36% 165 63% 2 1% 260 100% 8,916 23,154 1.04 0.71
Vermont 60 88% 7 10% 1 1% 68 100% 5,217 2,129 1.15 0.33
Virginia 471 57% 346 42% 3 0% 820 100% 29,009 56,327 1.62 0.61
Washington 235 43% 305 56% 6 1% 546 100% 17,426 44,940 1.35 0.68
West Virginia 178 61% 116 39% 0 0% 294 100% 9,868 9,579 1.80 1.21
Wisconsin 386 66% 199 34% 3 1% 588 100% 33,357 32,528 1.16 0.61
Wyoming 96 86% 14 13% 1 1% 111 100% 7,387 3,052 1.30 0.46
U.S. Total 16,411 45% 19,498 53% 651 2% 36,560 100% 978,802 2,261,525 1.68 0.86
Puerto Rico 178 58% 130 42% 0 0% 308 100% 1,077 13,943 16.53 0.93
Sources: FARS 2018 ARF; VMT – FHWA
Note: S
 ome States contain high proportions of unknown land use; many of these will be resolved when the file is finalized. In addition, there was 1 fatal crash resulting in 1
fatality in the District of Columbia recorded as rural, however the District of Columbia does not have any lands designated as rural. This will be resolved when the 2018
file is finalized.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 9
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA

The ratios of rural to urban fatality rates by State are shown in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The District of Columbia
Figure 8. The ratios of rural to urban fatality rates by State ranged does not have any rural area and the rural fatality rate for Puerto
from a high of 3.9 times in South Dakota to a low of 1.0 times in Rico (17.8) is too high when compared to other States.
New Mexico, Louisiana, and Maryland. Not shown in Figure 8 are

Figure 8
Ratio of Rural to Urban Fatality Rate per 100 Million VMT, by State, 2018

2.0x
3.5x
(WA) 2.8x
2.5x 2.8x (VT)
(MT) (ME)
(ND)
2.8x 2.0x
(OR) 2.0x (MN) 1.7x (NH)
3.9x 1.9x 3.8x
(ID) (NY) 2.3x (MA)
2.8x (SD) (WI) 1.6x
(WY) (MI) 2.7x (RI)
2.7x 1.6x (PA) 1.4x (CT)
1.5x 2.3x
(IA) 1.9x 1.3x (NJ)
(NV) (NE) 1.9x 2.8x
1.5x (OH) 1.5x 3.0x (DE)
2.1x (UT) 1.7x (IL) (IN)
2.7x 1.0x (MD)
(CA) (CO) 3.6x 1.6x 2.1x (WV) (VA)
(KS) (MO) (KY)
2.8x (NC)
1.4x 2.0x 1.8x (TN)
1.0x (OK) 1.5x 2.3x
(AZ) (NM) (AR) (SC)
1.5x
1.4x 1.9x
(AL) (GA)
1.0x (MS)
1.9x
(LA)
(TX)
1.5x
(AK) 2.0x
(FL)

< 1.8x
1.8x – 2.6x
1.4x (HI)
> 2.6x

Sources: FARS 2018 ARF; VMT – FHWA

10 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 RURAL/URBAN COMPARISON | 2018 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

Fatality Analysis Reporting System

The FARS contains data on every fatal traffic crash in the 50 States, the final counts. The updated final counts for a given previous
the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To be included in calendar year will be reflected with the release of the recent year’s
FARS, a crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a public ARF. For example, along with the release of the 2018 ARF, the
trafficway and must result in the death of a vehicle occupant or 2017 Final file was also released to replace the previous year’s
a nonoccupant within 30 days of the crash. The Annual Report 2017 ARF. The final fatality count in motor vehicle crashes for
File (ARF) is the FARS data file associated with the most recent 2017 was 37,473, which was updated from 37,133 from the 2017
available year, which is subject to change when it is finalized about ARF. The number of rural fatalities from the 2017 Final file was
a year later. The final version of the file is aptly known as the 17,405, which was updated from 17,216 from the 2017 ARF and
“Final” file. The additional time between the ARF and the Final the number of urban fatalities from the 2017 Final file was 19,976,
file provides the opportunity for submission of important variable which was updated from 19,038 from the 2017 ARF.
data requiring outside sources, which may lead to changes in

The suggested APA format citation for this document is:

National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2020, May). Rural/

urban comparison of traffic fatalities: 2018 data (Traffic Safety
Facts. Report No. DOT HS 812 957). National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration.

For More Information:

Information on traffic fatalities is available from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NSA-
230, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. NCSA can be contacted at 800-934-8517
or by email at NCSARequests@dot.gov. General information on highway traffic safety can be found
at www.nhtsa.gov/data. To report a safety-related problem or to inquire about motor vehicle safety
information, contact the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

Other fact sheets available from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis are Alcohol-Impaired-
Driving, Bicyclists and Other Cyclists, Children, Large Trucks, Motorcycles, Occupant Protection in
Passenger Vehicles, Older Population, Passenger Vehicles, Pedestrians, School-Transportation-Related
Crashes, Speeding, State Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Estimates, State Traffic Data, Summary of Motor
Vehicle Crashes, and Young Drivers. Detailed data on motor vehicle traffic crashes are published
annually in Traffic Safety Facts: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data. The fact sheets and annual
Traffic Safety Facts report can be found at https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 11 14851-051920-v2a