Fatal crashes in Polk County, Florida
In 2024, 113 people died in 107 fatal crashes in Polk County, 28.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 1,217 fatal crashes and 1,328 deaths, the 7th most of any county in Florida.
13.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida in 2024; 18 against 15.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 852,878, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Florida.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 107 | 113 |
| 2023 | 143 | 157 |
| 2022 | 121 | 133 |
| 2021 | 172 | 182 |
| 2020 | 122 | 134 |
| 2019 | 115 | 125 |
| 2018 | 110 | 123 |
| 2017 | 108 | 112 |
| 2016 | 121 | 137 |
| 2015 | 98 | 112 |
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 27 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 119, with 132 deaths. The 15 roads listed held 56% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 4 US routes, 10 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 | 119 | 132 | 37 | |
| 2 | State Highway 60 | 99 | 115 | 22 | |
| 3 | US 98 | 95 | 110 | 28 | |
| 4 | US 92 | 72 | 78 | 19 | |
| 5 | I-4 | 65 | 73 | 18 | |
| 6 | US 17 | 61 | 68 | 23 | |
| 7 | State Highway 33 | 36 | 37 | 10 | |
| 8 | State Highway 37 | 34 | 39 | 12 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 540 | 25 | 27 | 11 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 544 | 18 | 19 | 4 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 17 | 17 | 18 | 6 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 563 | 13 | 14 | 4 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 659 | 13 | 14 | 4 | no page |
| 14 | State Highway 570 | 10 | 10 | 0 | no page |
| 15 | State Highway 539 | 8 | 10 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Lakeland 162, Lake Wales 43, Haines City 32, Winter Haven 31, Auburndale 25, Bartow 21, Davenport 10, Mulberry 9. 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
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 57 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.0 percent, 36 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 35 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 39 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 36 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 42 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 32 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 41 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 30 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 35 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 34 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 32 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 26 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 33 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 28 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.1 percent, 25 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 29 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 34 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 30 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 35 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 46 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 40 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.0 percent, 49 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 39 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 57 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.6%
- Feb8.1%
- Mar10.2%
- Apr8.5%
- May8.0%
- Jun8.5%
- Jul7.8%
- Aug8.2%
- Sep7.1%
- Oct8.9%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec8.8%
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 collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 51%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 19%, a pedestrian in 17%, a rollover in 6.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 622 | 51% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 228 | 19% |
| Pedestrian | 201 | 17% |
| Rollover | 76 | 6.2% |
| Cyclist | 54 | 4.4% |
| Other | 26 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 10 | 0.8% |
| 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 Florida
A drinking driver was recorded in 24% of fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024, above the Florida share of 21%; speeding in 11%, above the Florida share of 9.8%; a hit-and-run in 6.2%, below the Florida share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.0%, below the Florida share of 7.9%; 42% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Florida share of 45%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Florida. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Polk | Florida | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 29% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| At or near an intersection | 35% | 35% | about the same as the Florida share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 21% | above the Florida share |
| Speeding | 11% | 9.8% | above the Florida share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.0% | 7.9% | below the Florida share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 42% | 45% | below the Florida share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.2% | 7.6% | below the Florida share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 20% | below the Florida share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 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 Polk County
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 113 people died in 107 fatal crashes in Polk County, Florida, in 2024, 28.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 13.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida.
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- US 27 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 119, with 132 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Polk County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 57 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 292 of 1,217 fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, 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
- Pinellas County
- Volusia County
- Lee County
- Pasco County
- Brevard County
- Marion County
All fatal crashes in Florida, 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 105). 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.