Fatal crashes in Bay County, Florida
In 2024, 36 people died in 35 fatal crashes in Bay County, Florida, 56.5% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 321 fatal crashes and 346 deaths, the 26th most of 67 counties in Florida.
18 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida in 2024; 18.8 against 15.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 199,718, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Florida.
Deaths in Bay County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 35 | 36 |
| 2023 | 22 | 23 |
| 2022 | 46 | 48 |
| 2021 | 39 | 47 |
| 2020 | 31 | 35 |
| 2019 | 31 | 32 |
| 2018 | 26 | 26 |
| 2017 | 28 | 29 |
| 2016 | 33 | 38 |
| 2015 | 30 | 32 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Bay County
US 98 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bay County from 2015 to 2024: 95, with 96 deaths. The 10 roads listed held 70% of all fatal crashes in Bay County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 8 state highways. 74% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 26% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 98 | 95 | 96 | 29 | |
| 2 | US 231 | 52 | 60 | 18 | |
| 3 | State Highway 77 | 20 | 21 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 30 | 16 | 16 | 5 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 368 | 9 | 9 | 6 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 79 | 8 | 10 | 4 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 20 | 7 | 8 | 1 | |
| 8 | State Highway 22 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 392A | 7 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 388 | 5 | 8 | 0 | no page |
Panama City had 22% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 71 of 321.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Panama City 71, Panama City Beach 50, Callaway 9, Lynn Haven 5. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
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 Bay County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 20 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 3.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 6.2 percent, 20 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.7 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.6%
- Feb8.7%
- Mar8.1%
- Apr10.0%
- May10.9%
- Jun8.1%
- Jul6.5%
- Aug8.4%
- Sep9.3%
- Oct10.6%
- Nov7.2%
- Dec6.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Bay County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 46%; a pedestrian in 22%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 14%, a cyclist in 8.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 147 | 46% |
| Pedestrian | 72 | 22% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 46 | 14% |
| Cyclist | 27 | 8.4% |
| Rollover | 18 | 5.6% |
| Other | 6 | 1.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 1.6% |
| 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 Bay County compare with Florida
The largest difference from Florida: from 2015 to 2024, 30% of fatal crashes in Bay County were in the dark on unlit roads, against 24% across Florida. Also above the Florida share: distracted drivers. Below it: drinking drivers. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Florida. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 321 crashes.
| Bay | Florida | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 25% | 24% | about the same as the Florida share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 35% | about the same as the Florida share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 30% | 24% | above the Florida share |
| A drinking driver | 16% | 21% | below the Florida share |
| Speeding | 6.9% | 9.8% | about the same as the Florida share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 14% | 7.9% | above the Florida share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 46% | 45% | about the same as the Florida share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.5% | 7.6% | about the same as the Florida share |
| A motorcycle involved | 22% | 20% | about the same as the Florida share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 22% | 22% | about the same as the Florida 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 Bay County, Florida
- How many people died in car accidents in Bay County in 2024?
- 36 people died in 35 fatal crashes in Bay County, Florida, in 2024, 56.5% more than in 2023. That is 18 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 13.4 across Florida. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Bay County?
- US 98 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bay County from 2015 to 2024: 95, with 96 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Bay County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 20 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Bay County involved a drinking driver?
- 52 of 321 fatal crashes in Bay County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 16%, against 21% across Florida.
Other counties in Florida with a page
- Miami-Dade County
- Broward County
- Hillsborough County
- Palm Beach County
- Orange County
- Duval County
- Polk County
- Pinellas County
- Volusia County
- Lee County
- Pasco County
- Brevard County
All fatal crashes in Florida, with every county ranked.
Where the Bay County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Bay County (county code 5). 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. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/florida/bay-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”