Rhode Island's Rate Of Hit-And-Run Crashes Among Lowest In Nation: Study

The percentage of hit-and-run deaths out of all traffic fatalities, on the other hand, was relatively high.

By Joseph Hosey, Patch Staff

Oct 2, 2026 5:19 PM EDT

Rhode Island's rate of hit-and-run crashes was among the lowest in the country, a recent study revealed.

Out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Rhode Island ranked 11th lowest, according to the study conducted on behalf of Houston attorney Brian White, examined hit-and-run crashes across America from 2020 through 2024.

" The analysis compared five-year death rates, pedestrian and cyclist deaths, the share of traffic deaths involving hit-and-run crashes, and changes in fatality rates over time," according to the study.

"From 2020 to 2024, 20 people were killed in 20 fatal hit-and-run crashes (in Rhode Island), a rate of 0.36 per 100,000 residents," according to information from the study.

"That low national rank hides two things," the analysis revealed. "The first is who gets hit — of those 20 deaths, 14 were people on foot or on bikes ... The second is the share — hit-and-runs made up 6.6% of all 305 road deaths in the state. That ranks Rhode Island 20th in the country on this measure, well above its overall spot and ahead of Massachusetts (4.5%) next door."

Washington, D.C., topped the list with New Mexico, Louisiana, Nevada and California following.