Fatal crashes in Sarasota County, Florida
In 2024, 56 people died in 52 fatal crashes in Sarasota County, 3.4% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 534 fatal crashes and 577 deaths, the 18th most of any county in Florida.
11.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida in 2024; 13.1 against 15.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 476,604, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Florida.
Deaths in Sarasota County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52 | 56 |
| 2023 | 57 | 58 |
| 2022 | 52 | 58 |
| 2021 | 57 | 61 |
| 2020 | 55 | 61 |
| 2019 | 52 | 57 |
| 2018 | 48 | 51 |
| 2017 | 44 | 49 |
| 2016 | 63 | 68 |
| 2015 | 54 | 58 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Sarasota County
US 41 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Sarasota County from 2015 to 2024: 131, with 136 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 60% of all fatal crashes in Sarasota County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 6 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 41 | 131 | 136 | 33 | |
| 2 | I-75 | 73 | 88 | 18 | |
| 3 | State Highway 72 | 33 | 35 | 14 | |
| 4 | State Highway 758 | 24 | 24 | 6 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 780 | 19 | 20 | 6 | no page |
| 6 | US 301 | 16 | 17 | 5 | |
| 7 | State Highway 776 | 14 | 16 | 6 | |
| 8 | State Highway 45 | 6 | 6 | 3 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 789 | 5 | 8 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Sarasota 102, North Port 29, Venice 18, North Port Charlotte 16. 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 Sarasota County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 32 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is December.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.9 percent, 26 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 6.0 percent, 32 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.9%
- Feb7.1%
- Mar9.2%
- Apr7.9%
- May8.2%
- Jun7.9%
- Jul7.1%
- Aug8.2%
- Sep5.8%
- Oct7.3%
- Nov8.6%
- Dec12.7%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Sarasota County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 21%, a pedestrian in 20%, a cyclist in 9.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 209 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 114 | 21% |
| Pedestrian | 107 | 20% |
| Cyclist | 53 | 9.9% |
| Rollover | 30 | 5.6% |
| Other | 17 | 3.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 0.7% |
| 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 Sarasota County compare with Florida
A drinking driver was recorded in 26% of fatal crashes in Sarasota County from 2015 to 2024, above the Florida share of 21%; speeding in 9.4%, about the Florida share; a hit-and-run in 6.0%, below the Florida share of 7.6%; a driver recorded as distracted in 7.7%, about the Florida share; 39% 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.
| Sarasota | Florida | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 18% | 24% | below the Florida share |
| At or near an intersection | 39% | 35% | above the Florida share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 19% | 24% | below the Florida share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 21% | above the Florida share |
| Speeding | 9.4% | 9.8% | about the same as the Florida share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 7.7% | 7.9% | about the same as the Florida share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 45% | below the Florida share |
| Hit-and-run | 6.0% | 7.6% | below the Florida share |
| A motorcycle involved | 23% | 20% | above the Florida share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 20% | 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 Sarasota County
- How many people died in car accidents in Sarasota County in 2024?
- 56 people died in 52 fatal crashes in Sarasota County, Florida, in 2024, 3.4% fewer than in 2023. That is 11.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida.
- What is the deadliest road in Sarasota County?
- US 41 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Sarasota County from 2015 to 2024: 131, with 136 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Sarasota County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 32 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Sarasota County involved a drinking driver?
- 140 of 534 fatal crashes in Sarasota County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, 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 Sarasota County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Sarasota County (county code 115). 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.