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Fatal car crashes in Rhode Island, county by county
From 2020 through 2024, 305 people died in 293 crashes on Rhode Island roads. That is 5.5 deaths a year for every 100,000 residents, below the US rate of 12.1, and the 50th highest rate of the 50 states and DC.
Providence County had the most deaths (184). The road stretch with the most fatal crashes was I-95 (South) in Providence County (19). In 2024, 52 people were killed, 22% fewer than in 2020.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2020-2024 · checked October 2, 2026
people killed in crashes, 2020-2024
deaths a year per 100,000 residents, 50th highest of 51 (US 12.1)
pedestrians killed, 18% of deaths (US 18%)
of fatal crashes were speeding-related (US 28%)
Death rate by county
Deaths a year per 100,000 residents, 2020-2024. Rural counties often rank highest: fewer people, faster roads and longer waits for an ambulance.
The most dangerous roads in Rhode Island
Fatal crashes by road within each county, 2020-2024. A long interstate shows up once per county it crosses.
| # | Road | Where | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-95 South | Providence County, RI | 19 | 19 |
| 2 | I-95 South | Kent County, RI | 10 | 12 |
| 3 | SR-117 West Shore Rd | Kent County, RI | 10 | 10 |
| 4 | SR-5 Farnum Pike | Providence County, RI | 10 | 10 |
| 5 | I-95 North | Washington County, RI | 10 | 10 |
| 6 | SR-122 Lonsdale Ave | Providence County, RI | 8 | 8 |
| 7 | SR-146 North Eddie Dowling Hwy | Providence County, RI | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | US-44 Putnam Pike | Providence County, RI | 7 | 7 |
| 9 | SR-114 Diamond Hill Rd | Providence County, RI | 6 | 7 |
| 10 | US-6 Hartford Ave | Providence County, RI | 5 | 6 |
| 11 | I-295 North | Providence County, RI | 5 | 5 |
| 12 | SR-101 Hartford Pike | Providence County, RI | 4 | 5 |
| 13 | SR-2 Quaker Ln | Kent County, RI | 4 | 4 |
| 14 | US-1 Post Rd | Kent County, RI | 4 | 4 |
| 15 | SR-12 Scituate Av | Providence County, RI | 4 | 4 |
Deaths by year
Every Rhode Island county
4 counties with 10 or more fatal crashes in five years, by deaths. 1 more had fewer than 10 and are listed after the table.
| County | Deaths 2020-24 | Per 100K a year | Pedestrians | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence County | 184 | 5.4 | 39 | 675,912 |
| Washington County | 57 | 8.7 | 6 | 130,333 |
| Kent County | 43 | 5.0 | 6 | 172,450 |
| Newport County | 16 | 3.8 | 2 | 83,468 |
Fewer than 10 fatal crashes, 2020-2024: Bristol County (5 deaths).
What was involved
| Factor | Rhode Island | Share | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding was a factor a driver coded by police as speeding, racing or too fast for conditions | 117 | 40% | 28% |
| A driver had been drinking police reported alcohol involvement for at least one driver | 109 | 37% | 26% |
| A large truck was involved a truck over 10,000 lbs | 22 | 8% | 13% |
| Hit-and-run a driver left the scene | 20 | 7% | 7% |
| Pedestrians killed share of all deaths | 55 | 18% | 18% |
| Motorcyclists killed share of all deaths | 60 | 20% | 15% |
| Bicyclists killed share of all deaths | 10 | 3% | 3% |
| Teens (15-19) killed share of all deaths | 24 | 8% | 7% |
After a crash in Rhode Island
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Get the crash report
City and town police take most reports and handle their own requests: the Providence Police Records Department takes requests and sells crash/accident reports online through LexisNexis Police Reports; North Providence Police sell reports on a website for $15 or $0.15 per page at headquarters.
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Know your deadline
Rhode Island gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b)).
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Who pays
Rhode Island is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the injuries and damage.
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If you were partly at fault
You can recover even if you were mostly at fault; your damages are reduced in proportion to your share of fault and you are never barred outright.
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The other driver’s minimum coverage
The legal minimum liability coverage in Rhode Island is $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per crash and $25,000 for property (25/50/25).
Check your deadline and a rough claim range
A filing date and a rough value range for Rhode Island. Both take under a minute.