Fatal crashes in Bedford County, Virginia
In 2024, 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Bedford County, 240.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 124 fatal crashes and 127 deaths, the 18th most of any county in Virginia.
20.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.4 across Virginia in 2024; 15.9 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 82,182, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Virginia.
Deaths in Bedford County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 17 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 |
| 2021 | 18 | 19 |
| 2020 | 10 | 10 |
| 2019 | 16 | 16 |
| 2018 | 12 | 12 |
| 2017 | 17 | 17 |
| 2016 | 13 | 14 |
| 2015 | 6 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Bedford County
US 460 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bedford County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 24 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Bedford County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 2 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 460 | 24 | 24 | 7 | |
| 2 | State Highway 24 | 18 | 20 | 6 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 122 | 17 | 18 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | US 221 | 9 | 9 | 3 | no page |
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 Bedford County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 13 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 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 | 4.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 10.5 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.3%
- Feb3.2%
- Mar12.9%
- Apr7.3%
- May10.5%
- Jun11.3%
- Jul8.1%
- Aug8.1%
- Sep6.5%
- Oct8.1%
- Nov8.1%
- Dec8.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Bedford County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in most fatal crashes, 53%; a collision with another vehicle in 35%, a rollover in 7.3%, a pedestrian in 3.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 66 | 53% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 43 | 35% |
| Rollover | 9 | 7.3% |
| Pedestrian | 4 | 3.2% |
| Other | 2 | 1.6% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Bedford County compare with Virginia
A drinking driver was recorded in 39% of fatal crashes in Bedford County from 2015 to 2024, above the Virginia share of 29%; speeding in 29%, about the Virginia share; a hit-and-run in 0.8%, below the Virginia share of 4.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 12%, about the Virginia share; 49% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Virginia share of 55%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Virginia. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Bedford | Virginia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 91% | 55% | above the Virginia share |
| At or near an intersection | 11% | 23% | below the Virginia share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 47% | 31% | above the Virginia share |
| A drinking driver | 39% | 29% | above the Virginia share |
| Speeding | 29% | 29% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 12% | 11% | about the same as the Virginia share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 49% | 55% | below the Virginia share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.8% | 4.1% | below the Virginia share |
| A motorcycle involved | 7.3% | 13% | below the Virginia share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 3.1% | 14% | below the Virginia 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 Bedford County
- How many people died in car accidents in Bedford County in 2024?
- 17 people died in 16 fatal crashes in Bedford County, Virginia, in 2024, 240.0% more than in 2023. That is 20.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.4 across Virginia.
- What is the deadliest road in Bedford County?
- US 460 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bedford County from 2015 to 2024: 24, with 24 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Bedford County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 13 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Bedford County involved a drinking driver?
- 48 of 124 fatal crashes in Bedford County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 39%, against 29% across Virginia.
Other counties in Virginia with a page
- Fairfax County
- Chesterfield County
- Henrico County
- Virginia Beach city
- Prince William County
- Richmond city
- Norfolk city
- Chesapeake city
- Newport News city
- Pittsylvania County
- Spotsylvania County
- Hanover County
All fatal crashes in Virginia, with every county ranked.
Where the Bedford County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Bedford County (county code 19). 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.