Fatal crashes in Ohio
In 2024, 1,157 people died in 1,077 fatal crashes on Ohio roads, 6.8% fewer than in 2023. That is about 3 deaths a day, and 2.9% of all road deaths in the United States.
Ohio ranks 9th of 51 by road deaths in 2024.
Road deaths in Ohio since 1975
Deaths within 30 days of a crash on a public road, as NHTSA counts them. 2024 is the latest year NHTSA has published; the 2024 figures are from the Annual Report File and may be revised when NHTSA releases the final file. The 2025 file is expected in spring 2027.
The deadliest roads in Ohio
I-71 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Ohio from 2015 to 2024: 212, with 242 deaths. Interstate, US and state routes ranked by fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024; ramps and frontage roads are left out (63 crashes). Roads with 15 or more fatal crashes in 2022 to 2024 have their own page.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | Counties with the most | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-71 | 212 | 242 | 68 | Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton |
| 2 | I-75 | 206 | 239 | 75 | Montgomery, Hamilton, Wood |
| 3 | I-70 | 152 | 171 | 42 | Franklin, Clark, Montgomery |
| 4 | US 23 | 136 | 146 | 49 | Delaware, Pickaway, Franklin |
| 5 | US 6 | 120 | 135 | 35 | Cuyahoga, Wood, Henry |
| 6 | US 62 | 118 | 126 | 30 | Franklin, Stark, Licking |
| 7 | US 20 | 113 | 125 | 34 | Fulton, Sandusky, Lucas |
| 8 | US 40 | 111 | 117 | 31 | Franklin, Licking, Clark |
| 9 | I-80 | 110 | 130 | 39 | Erie, Cuyahoga, Fulton |
| 10 | US 33 | 97 | 109 | 22 | Franklin, Fairfield, Union |
| 11 | I-90 | 95 | 100 | 35 | Cuyahoga, Lake, Ashtabula |
| 12 | US 22 | 91 | 103 | 26 | Fairfield, Muskingum, Harrison |
| 13 | US 42 | 87 | 93 | 33 | Hamilton, Ashland, Cuyahoga |
| 14 | State Highway 4 | 86 | 98 | 30 | Montgomery, Butler, Hamilton |
| 15 | I-270 | 84 | 95 | 25 | Franklin, Cuyahoga |
| 16 | State Highway 7 | 83 | 93 | 27 | Washington, Gallia, Meigs |
| 17 | I-77 | 81 | 89 | 29 | Summit, Cuyahoga, Tuscarawas |
| 18 | US 50 | 76 | 86 | 15 | Hamilton, Ross, Athens |
| 19 | US 35 | 71 | 86 | 20 | Jackson, Montgomery, Ross |
| 20 | US 127 | 69 | 76 | 28 | Mercer, Butler, Darke |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest counties in Ohio
Franklin County had the most fatal crashes in Ohio from 2015 to 2024: 990, with 1,057 deaths. 88 counties in Ohio recorded a fatal crash in those years; the 20 with the most are listed.
| County | 2024 | 2015 to 2024 | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin | 83 | 990 | 1,057 |
| 2 | Cuyahoga | 111 | 893 | 949 |
| 3 | Hamilton | 60 | 593 | 626 |
| 4 | Montgomery | 60 | 541 | 606 |
| 5 | Lucas | 29 | 394 | 420 |
| 6 | Summit | 37 | 380 | 405 |
| 7 | Stark | 28 | 282 | 301 |
| 8 | Butler | 32 | 281 | 295 |
| 9 | Lorain | 25 | 248 | 270 |
| 10 | Licking | 17 | 204 | 221 |
| 11 | Mahoning | 17 | 194 | 210 |
| 12 | Clark | 17 | 171 | 183 |
| 13 | Trumbull | 17 | 171 | 182 |
| 14 | Clermont | 15 | 168 | 186 |
| 15 | Ashtabula | 20 | 160 | 171 |
| 16 | Wood | 19 | 156 | 174 |
| 17 | Warren | 10 | 156 | 167 |
| 18 | Delaware | 19 | 144 | 159 |
| 19 | Wayne | 10 | 142 | 156 |
| 20 | Portage | 11 | 138 | 149 |
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 Ohio
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 442 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 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 | 3.5 percent, 387 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 139 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 120 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 283 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 393 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 281 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.4 percent, 159 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 148 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 200 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 303 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 366 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 247 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.1 percent, 116 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 166 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 196 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 287 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 324 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 284 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 155 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 193 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 195 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 310 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 340 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 281 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 146 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 186 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 176 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 301 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 338 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 308 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 219 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 195 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 187 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 341 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 412 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 419 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.5 percent, 390 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 180 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 174 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 332 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 392 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 442 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.8%
- Feb5.7%
- Mar7.0%
- Apr6.8%
- May8.9%
- Jun9.5%
- Jul10.1%
- Aug10.5%
- Sep9.9%
- Oct9.4%
- Nov8.1%
- Dec7.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Where fatal crashes happen in Ohio: rural or urban, intersection, dark or daylight
Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across the United States.
| Ohio | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 42% | 43% | about the same as the US share |
| At or near an intersection | 27% | 25% | above the US share |
| In daylight | 50% | 46% | above the US share |
| In the dark, road lit | 20% | 21% | about the same as the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 25% | 28% | below the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Who died on Ohio roads in 2024
| Road user | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle occupants | 780 | 67% |
| Motorcyclists | 222 | 19% |
| Pedestrians | 122 | 11% |
| Cyclists | 24 | 2.1% |
| Others (on personal conveyances, in parked vehicles, in buildings) | 9 | 0.8% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes happen in Ohio: alcohol, speeding, seat belts, hit-and-run
Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024 with the factor recorded, against the US share. "A drinking driver" is NHTSA's drinking-driver flag (police-reported drinking or any positive alcohol test), not its "alcohol-impaired" figure. "Unbelted" is the share of passenger-vehicle occupants killed whose belt use is known (6,882 in Ohio).
| Ohio | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A drinking driver | 32% | 26% | above the US share |
| Speeding | 23% | 27% | below the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 49% | above the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.9% | 6.5% | about the same as the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 16% | above the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What the first harmful event was
What each fatal crash first hit, 2015 to 2024.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 4,635 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 3,756 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 1,240 | 11% |
| Other | 531 | 4.8% |
| Rollover | 456 | 4.1% |
| Cyclist | 207 | 1.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 184 | 1.7% |
| Not reported | 4 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Vehicles in fatal crashes in Ohio
Every vehicle in a fatal crash from 2015 to 2024, by body type (16,785 vehicles).
| Type | Vehicles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 6,848 | 41% |
| SUVs | 3,099 | 18% |
| Pickups | 2,218 | 13% |
| Motorcycles | 1,978 | 12% |
| Truck-tractors | 1,076 | 6.4% |
| Vans | 829 | 4.9% |
| Other trucks | 688 | 4.1% |
| Buses | 49 | 0.3% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Road pages for Ohio
Every numbered road in Ohio with 15 or more fatal crashes from 2022 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, county, hour and weekday.
Where the Ohio numbers come from
Every figure on this page is counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the federal census of fatal crashes on US public roads, 2024 Annual Report File. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. Road names are normalised ("I35 FRONTAGE" and "I-35" are the same road; frontage roads and ramps are left out of road counts). Fields NHTSA coded as unknown show as "Not reported"; a share is only given over 20 crashes, otherwise "Not enough data". The full method.