US 71 in Arkansas: fatal crashes
From 2015 to 2024, 162 fatal crashes on US 71 in Arkansas killed 174 people, the 3rd most of any numbered road in Arkansas. In 2024 there were 20 fatal crashes and 21 deaths on the road.
An US route running through 11 counties of Arkansas. All fatal crashes in Arkansas.
Deaths on US 71 in Arkansas by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | 21 |
| 2023 | 16 | 19 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 |
| 2021 | 17 | 18 |
| 2020 | 21 | 22 |
| 2019 | 13 | 13 |
| 2018 | 10 | 13 |
| 2017 | 12 | 12 |
| 2016 | 24 | 24 |
| 2015 | 18 | 21 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Where on US 71 in Arkansas: the counties with the most fatal crashes
Benton County County had the most fatal crashes on US 71 from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths. Benton, Washington and Scott counties together held 48% of fatal crashes in US 71 in Arkansas from 2015 to 2024; the 9 listed held 98%. Counties are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| County | 2024 | 2015 to 2024 | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benton County | 2 | 29 | 31 |
| 2 | Washington County | 1 | 26 | 26 |
| 3 | Scott County | 1 | 23 | 25 |
| 4 | Polk County | 3 | 17 | 19 |
| 5 | Sebastian County | 7 | 17 | 18 |
| 6 | Sevier County | 1 | 15 | 15 |
| 7 | Miller County | 0 | 13 | 14 |
| 8 | Little River County | 1 | 12 | 16 |
| 9 | Crawford County | 1 | 7 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen on US 71 in Arkansas
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. 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 | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.6%
- Feb6.8%
- Mar7.4%
- Apr7.4%
- May7.4%
- Jun9.3%
- Jul8.0%
- Aug11.1%
- Sep6.8%
- Oct9.9%
- Nov6.8%
- Dec10.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes on US 71 in Arkansas first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 54%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 22%, a pedestrian in 18%, a rollover in 3.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 87 | 54% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 36 | 22% |
| Pedestrian | 29 | 18% |
| Rollover | 6 | 3.7% |
| Cyclist | 2 | 1.2% |
| Other | 2 | 1.2% |
| 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 on US 71 in Arkansas compare with the state
A drinking driver was recorded in 20% of fatal crashes in US 71 in Arkansas from 2015 to 2024, below the Arkansas share of 27%; speeding in 19%, below the Arkansas share of 22%; a hit-and-run in 3.1%, about the Arkansas share; a driver recorded as distracted in 3.1%, about the Arkansas share; 45% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Arkansas share of 54%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Arkansas. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| US 71 | Arkansas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural stretches | 50% | 63% | below the Arkansas share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 15% | above the Arkansas share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 34% | below the Arkansas share |
| A drinking driver | 20% | 27% | below the Arkansas share |
| Speeding | 19% | 22% | below the Arkansas share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.1% | 3.6% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 45% | 54% | below the Arkansas share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.1% | 3.9% | about the same as the Arkansas share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 15% | below the Arkansas share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 17% | 11% | above 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 US 71 in Arkansas
- How many fatal crashes have there been on US 71 in Arkansas?
- 162 fatal crashes killed 174 people on US 71 in Arkansas from 2015 to 2024. In 2024 there were 20 fatal crashes and 21 deaths.
- Where on US 71 in Arkansas do the most fatal crashes happen?
- Benton County had the most fatal crashes on US 71 from 2015 to 2024: 29, with 31 deaths. Washington County was second with 26.
- When do fatal crashes on US 71 in Arkansas happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 11 fatal crashes.
Other roads in Arkansas with a page
- I-30
- I-40
- I-430
- I-49
- I-530
- I-55
- State Highway 10
- State Highway 18
- State Highway 5
- State Highway 7
- State Highway 9
- US 167
All fatal crashes in Arkansas, with every road ranked.
Where the US 71 numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash whose road NHTSA filed as US 71 in Arkansas (filed under 40 spellings, such as "US- 71-03", "US- 71-06", "US- 71-10", "US- 71-15"). Ramps, frontage and service roads are left out. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The full method.