Fatal crashes in Putnam County, Florida
In 2024, 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Putnam County, 19.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 252 fatal crashes and 272 deaths.
22 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida in 2024; 36.7 against 15.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 77,301, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Florida.
Deaths in Putnam County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 17 |
| 2023 | 20 | 21 |
| 2022 | 32 | 33 |
| 2021 | 25 | 26 |
| 2020 | 28 | 31 |
| 2019 | 31 | 34 |
| 2018 | 34 | 38 |
| 2017 | 24 | 26 |
| 2016 | 23 | 26 |
| 2015 | 19 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Putnam County
US 17 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024: 63, with 73 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 62% of all fatal crashes in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 5 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 17 | 63 | 73 | 14 | |
| 2 | State Highway 20 | 33 | 35 | 12 | |
| 3 | State Highway 100 | 25 | 27 | 2 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 19 | 14 | 15 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 207 | 10 | 12 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 26 | 10 | 11 | 2 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Palatka 22. 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 Putnam County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 16 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 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 | 4.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.1%
- Feb9.1%
- Mar11.9%
- Apr9.1%
- May7.5%
- Jun7.9%
- Jul6.7%
- Aug8.7%
- Sep4.8%
- Oct7.9%
- Nov9.5%
- Dec9.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Putnam County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 22%, a rollover in 15%, a pedestrian in 14%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 107 | 43% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 56 | 22% |
| Rollover | 37 | 15% |
| Pedestrian | 34 | 14% |
| Cyclist | 11 | 4.4% |
| Other | 6 | 2.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.4% |
| 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 Putnam County compare with Florida
A drinking driver was recorded in 39% of fatal crashes in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024, above the Florida share of 21%; speeding in 7.1%, below the Florida share of 9.8%; a hit-and-run in 6.3%, below the Florida share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.2%, below the Florida share of 7.9%; 61% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Putnam | Florida | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 71% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 35% | below the Florida share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 45% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| A drinking driver | 39% | 21% | above the Florida share |
| Speeding | 7.1% | 9.8% | below the Florida share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.2% | 7.9% | below the Florida share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 61% | 45% | above the Florida share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.3% | 7.6% | below the Florida share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 20% | below the Florida share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 13% | 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 Putnam County
- How many people died in car accidents in Putnam County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Putnam County, Florida, in 2024, 19.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 22 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida.
- What is the deadliest road in Putnam County?
- US 17 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024: 63, with 73 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Putnam County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 16 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Putnam County involved a drinking driver?
- 97 of 252 fatal crashes in Putnam County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 39%, 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 Putnam County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Putnam County (county code 107). 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.