Which provinces register the most deaths in traffic accidents?

Santo Domingo, DR— Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the Dominican Republic, killing thousands of people every year.

The national traffic accident death rate in 2024 was 20.02 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, with several provinces recording high rates of these accidents.

The province of Samaná recorded the highest rate of deaths from traffic accidents, with 44.96, meaning that more than 35 people died in 2024 in a crash, collision, or hit-and-run. La Altagracia (41.49) and San José de Ocoa (40.31) ranked second and third in traffic accident deaths, with an average of 32 people dying each year in these circumstances.

Meanwhile, the province of Santo Domingo (8.31) and the National District (9.92) had lower figures, according to the National Statistics Office (ONE).

Similarly, traffic accidents not only leave fatalities; every year, thousands of people suffer injuries when involved in a traffic accident. As of August this year, the Permanent Road Safety Observatory (Opsevi) recorded 104,466 injuries.

File photo – Traffic accident in the Dominican Republic, Listín Diario

San José de Ocoa ranks first among the provinces with the highest rate of people injured in traffic accidents per 100,000 inhabitants, with 451.08; followed by the National District with 446.19; Puerto Plata with 344.58; San Pedro de Macorís with 338.09; and Hato Mayor with 336.02.

Rounding out the top 10 are the provinces of El Seibo, 303.14; La Altagracia, 273.45; San Cristóbal, 249.38; Samaná, 240.36; and Monte Plata, 222.67.

The ONE indicates that during the 2020-2024 period, the country recorded an average of 1,728 traffic accidents with fatalities at the scene each year.

In addition, the institution reveals that the majority of deaths in traffic accidents correspond to males, with 87.91% above 12.09% of females.

In 2024, more than half of traffic accident deaths (53%) occurred among young people aged 15 to 34, confirming their high vulnerability compared to other age groups, according to the National Statistics Office.