Fatal crashes in Polk County, Arkansas
In 2024, 8 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Polk County, Arkansas, up from 4 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 52 fatal crashes and 56 deaths, the 33rd most of 75 counties in Arkansas.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 8 |
| 2023 | 4 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 | 5 |
| 2021 | 8 | 8 |
| 2020 | 4 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 |
| 2015 | 10 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Polk County
US 71 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 19 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 79% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 state highways. 85% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 15% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 71 | 17 | 19 | 4 | |
| 2 | State Highway 8 | 15 | 16 | 7 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 88 | 9 | 10 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Mena 7. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Polk County
52 fatal crashes in Polk County, Arkansas from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 1 pm to 2 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 7.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 5.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.8%
- Feb11.5%
- Mar5.8%
- Apr9.6%
- May7.7%
- Jun7.7%
- Jul7.7%
- Aug15.4%
- Sep9.6%
- Oct11.5%
- Nov5.8%
- Dec1.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Polk County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 42%; a collision with another vehicle in 37%, a rollover in 14%, a pedestrian in 1.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 22 | 42% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 19 | 37% |
| Rollover | 7 | 14% |
| Other | 2 | 3.8% |
| Pedestrian | 1 | 1.9% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Polk County compare with Arkansas
The largest difference from Arkansas: from 2015 to 2024, 87% of fatal crashes in Polk County were on rural roads, against 63% across Arkansas. Below the Arkansas share: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Arkansas. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 52 crashes.
| Polk | Arkansas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 87% | 63% | above the Arkansas share |
| At or near an intersection | 7.7% | 15% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 27% | 34% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A drinking driver | 29% | 27% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Speeding | 15% | 22% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 1.9% | 3.6% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 54% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.9% | 3.9% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 15% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 1.8% | 11% | below the Arkansas share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Polk County, Arkansas
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 8 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Polk County, Arkansas, in 2024, up from 4 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- US 71 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 19 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 15 of 52 fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 29%, against 27% across Arkansas.
Other counties in Arkansas with a page
- Pulaski County
- Washington County
- Benton County
- Garland County
- Craighead County
- Faulkner County
- White County
- Sebastian County
- Saline County
- Crittenden County
- Jefferson County
- Lonoke County
All fatal crashes in Arkansas, with every county ranked.
Where the Polk County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Polk County (county code 113). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/arkansas/polk-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”