Fatal crashes in Highlands County, Florida
In 2024, 22 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Highlands County, 57.1% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 225 fatal crashes and 253 deaths.
20 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida in 2024; 24.2 against 15.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 109,778, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Florida.
Deaths in Highlands County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | 22 |
| 2023 | 11 | 14 |
| 2022 | 30 | 37 |
| 2021 | 32 | 41 |
| 2020 | 27 | 27 |
| 2019 | 28 | 31 |
| 2018 | 16 | 20 |
| 2017 | 17 | 18 |
| 2016 | 20 | 21 |
| 2015 | 22 | 22 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Highlands County
US 27 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Highlands County from 2015 to 2024: 89, with 93 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 65% of all fatal crashes in Highlands County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 3 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 27 | 89 | 93 | 26 | |
| 2 | State Highway 70 | 26 | 40 | 10 | |
| 3 | US 98 | 18 | 22 | 5 | |
| 4 | State Highway 66 | 7 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 17 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Sebring 18, Avon Park 12, Lake Placid 10. 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 Highlands County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 18 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 4 pm to 5 pm; the worst month is January.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 8.0 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan10.2%
- Feb10.2%
- Mar10.2%
- Apr7.1%
- May10.2%
- Jun8.9%
- Jul8.0%
- Aug4.4%
- Sep6.2%
- Oct8.9%
- Nov7.6%
- Dec8.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Highlands County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 52%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 20%, a pedestrian in 10%, a cyclist in 7.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 117 | 52% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 44 | 20% |
| Pedestrian | 23 | 10% |
| Cyclist | 17 | 7.6% |
| Rollover | 13 | 5.8% |
| Other | 9 | 4.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.9% |
| 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 Highlands County compare with Florida
A drinking driver was recorded in 27% of fatal crashes in Highlands County from 2015 to 2024, above the Florida share of 21%; speeding in 8.4%, below the Florida share of 9.8%; a hit-and-run in 3.1%, below the Florida share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 9.3%, above the Florida share of 7.9%; 46% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the Florida share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Florida. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Highlands | Florida | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 39% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| At or near an intersection | 38% | 35% | above the Florida share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 21% | above the Florida share |
| Speeding | 8.4% | 9.8% | below the Florida share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.3% | 7.9% | above the Florida share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 45% | about the same as the Florida share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.1% | 7.6% | below the Florida share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 20% | below the Florida share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 22% | below the Florida 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 Highlands County
- How many people died in car accidents in Highlands County in 2024?
- 22 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Highlands County, Florida, in 2024, 57.1% more than in 2023. That is 20 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida.
- What is the deadliest road in Highlands County?
- US 27 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Highlands County from 2015 to 2024: 89, with 93 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Highlands County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 18 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Highlands County involved a drinking driver?
- 60 of 225 fatal crashes in Highlands County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 21% across Florida.
Other counties in Florida with a page
- Miami-Dade County
- Broward County
- Hillsborough County
- Palm Beach County
- Orange County
- Duval County
- Polk County
- Pinellas County
- Volusia County
- Lee County
- Pasco County
- Brevard County
All fatal crashes in Florida, with every county ranked.
Where the Highlands County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Highlands County (county code 55). 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. The full method.