Fatal crashes in Virginia
In 2024, 917 people died in 867 fatal crashes on Virginia roads, 0.3% more than in 2023. That is about 3 deaths a day, and 2.3% of all road deaths in the United States.
Virginia ranks 16th of 51 by road deaths in 2024.
Road deaths in Virginia 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 Virginia
I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Virginia from 2015 to 2024: 274, with 309 deaths. Interstate, US and state routes ranked by fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024; ramps and frontage roads are left out (95 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-95 | 274 | 309 | 98 | Hanover, Chesterfield, Prince William |
| 2 | I-64 | 257 | 275 | 82 | Henrico, New Kent, Albemarle |
| 3 | US 58 | 257 | 275 | 93 | Southampton, Suffolk (City), Virginia Beach (City) |
| 4 | US 460 | 241 | 263 | 78 | Bedford, Giles, Dinwiddie |
| 5 | I-81 | 239 | 270 | 74 | Augusta, Wythe, Roanoke |
| 6 | US 1 | 201 | 205 | 78 | Fairfax, Chesterfield, Prince William |
| 7 | US 29 | 191 | 197 | 63 | Pittsylvania, Nelson, Albemarle |
| 8 | US 17 | 164 | 172 | 69 | Gloucester, Fauquier, Essex |
| 9 | US 360 | 141 | 150 | 41 | Chesterfield, Richmond, Halifax |
| 10 | US 60 | 137 | 145 | 46 | Chesterfield, Powhatan, James City |
| 11 | US 11 | 136 | 151 | 47 | Roanoke, Shenandoah, Washington |
| 12 | US 13 | 107 | 121 | 30 | Accomack, Northampton, Chesapeake(City) |
| 13 | US 220 | 92 | 101 | 33 | Franklin, Henry, Botetourt |
| 14 | US 15 | 86 | 101 | 26 | Culpeper, Loudoun, Fauquier |
| 15 | US 250 | 72 | 75 | 24 | Henrico, Albemarle, Augusta |
| 16 | State Highway 3 | 71 | 74 | 20 | Spotsylvania, King George, Westmoreland |
| 17 | US 522 | 67 | 69 | 24 | Frederick, Orange, Louisa |
| 18 | I-295 | 62 | 67 | 12 | Henrico, Hanover, Prince George |
| 19 | US 33 | 62 | 64 | 21 | Hanover, Louisa, Henrico |
| 20 | I-264 | 58 | 64 | 14 | Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach (City) |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest counties in Virginia
Fairfax County had the most fatal crashes in Virginia from 2015 to 2024: 433, with 456 deaths. 156 counties in Virginia recorded a fatal crash in those years; the 20 with the most are listed.
| County | 2024 | 2015 to 2024 | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfax | 52 | 433 | 456 |
| 2 | Chesterfield | 31 | 282 | 292 |
| 3 | Henrico | 45 | 280 | 294 |
| 4 | Prince William | 28 | 228 | 238 |
| 5 | Pittsylvania | 18 | 158 | 162 |
| 6 | Spotsylvania | 20 | 157 | 170 |
| 7 | Hanover | 12 | 153 | 164 |
| 8 | Augusta | 17 | 146 | 160 |
| 9 | Virginia Beach (City) | 23 | 140 | 142 |
| 10 | Fauquier | 12 | 131 | 142 |
| 11 | Albemarle | 10 | 125 | 134 |
| 12 | Loudoun | 13 | 125 | 133 |
| 13 | Bedford | 16 | 124 | 127 |
| 14 | Roanoke | 7 | 121 | 129 |
| 15 | Virginia Beach | 0 | 118 | 129 |
| 16 | Franklin | 17 | 118 | 127 |
| 17 | Rockingham | 12 | 117 | 124 |
| 18 | Henry | 15 | 115 | 125 |
| 19 | Frederick | 10 | 113 | 128 |
| 20 | Richmond (City) | 18 | 109 | 110 |
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 Virginia
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 315 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.6 percent, 291 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 111 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 118 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 218 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 253 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 232 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.3 percent, 109 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 111 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 165 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 226 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 250 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 195 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 99 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 144 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 143 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 228 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 254 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 190 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.1 percent, 92 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 136 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 131 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 237 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 235 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 202 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.5 percent, 125 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 130 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 147 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 215 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 237 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 259 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 150 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 157 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 138 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 241 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 271 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 301 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.6 percent, 289 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 115 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 151 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 248 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 278 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 315 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.0%
- Feb6.8%
- Mar7.1%
- Apr7.8%
- May8.7%
- Jun8.7%
- Jul8.6%
- Aug9.2%
- Sep9.3%
- Oct9.7%
- Nov8.6%
- Dec8.3%
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 Virginia: rural or urban, intersection, dark or daylight
Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across the United States.
| Virginia | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 55% | 43% | above the US share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 25% | below the US share |
| In daylight | 50% | 46% | above the US share |
| In the dark, road lit | 14% | 21% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 28% | above 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 Virginia roads in 2024
| Road user | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle occupants | 638 | 70% |
| Pedestrians | 123 | 13% |
| Motorcyclists | 122 | 13% |
| Cyclists | 24 | 2.6% |
| Others (on personal conveyances, in parked vehicles, in buildings) | 10 | 1.1% |
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 Virginia: 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 (5,778 in Virginia).
| Virginia | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A drinking driver | 29% | 26% | above the US share |
| Speeding | 29% | 27% | above the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 55% | 49% | above the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.1% | 6.5% | below the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 16% | below 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 3,275 | 40% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 2,834 | 35% |
| Pedestrian | 1,121 | 14% |
| Rollover | 363 | 4.5% |
| Other | 317 | 3.9% |
| Cyclist | 135 | 1.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 92 | 1.1% |
| Not reported | 1 | 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 Virginia
Every vehicle in a fatal crash from 2015 to 2024, by body type (11,795 vehicles).
| Type | Vehicles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 4,851 | 41% |
| SUVs | 2,308 | 20% |
| Pickups | 1,870 | 16% |
| Motorcycles | 1,087 | 9.2% |
| Truck-tractors | 625 | 5.3% |
| Vans | 543 | 4.6% |
| Other trucks | 470 | 4.0% |
| Buses | 41 | 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 Virginia
Every numbered road in Virginia with 15 or more fatal crashes from 2022 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, county, hour and weekday.
Where the Virginia 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.