Fatal crashes in Maryland
In 2024, 578 people died in 552 fatal crashes on Maryland roads, 6.9% fewer than in 2023. That is about 2 deaths a day, and 1.5% of all road deaths in the United States.
Maryland ranks 27th of 51 by road deaths in 2024, and joint 39th by deaths per resident. Every state in 2024.
Road deaths in Maryland since 1975
Road deaths in Maryland peaked in 1987 at 814; 2024's 578 is 29% below that. The lowest year was 2014 with 442. 2024 is 2% below 2000 and 14% below 1975.
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 578 | 552 | -6.9% |
| 2023 | 621 | 577 | +9.7% |
| 2022 | 566 | 534 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 563 | 524 | -1.7% |
| 2020 | 573 | 546 | +7.1% |
| 2019 | 535 | 496 | +4.5% |
| 2018 | 512 | 485 | -8.2% |
| 2017 | 558 | 518 | +6.9% |
| 2016 | 522 | 484 | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 520 | 479 | +17.6% |
Show 1975 to 2014
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 442 | 416 | -4.9% |
| 2013 | 465 | 431 | -9.0% |
| 2012 | 511 | 462 | +5.4% |
| 2011 | 485 | 455 | -2.2% |
| 2010 | 496 | 463 | -9.7% |
| 2009 | 549 | 515 | -7.1% |
| 2008 | 591 | 538 | -3.7% |
| 2007 | 614 | 558 | -5.8% |
| 2006 | 652 | 594 | +6.2% |
| 2005 | 614 | 577 | -4.5% |
| 2004 | 643 | 576 | -1.1% |
| 2003 | 650 | 594 | -1.7% |
| 2002 | 661 | 604 | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 659 | 600 | +12.1% |
| 2000 | 588 | 545 | -0.3% |
| 1999 | 590 | 548 | -2.6% |
| 1998 | 606 | 549 | -0.8% |
| 1997 | 611 | 571 | +0.5% |
| 1996 | 608 | 558 | -9.4% |
| 1995 | 671 | 601 | +3.1% |
| 1994 | 651 | 601 | -2.3% |
| 1993 | 666 | 599 | +1.1% |
| 1992 | 659 | 584 | -5.0% |
| 1991 | 694 | 629 | -1.8% |
| 1990 | 707 | 661 | -2.6% |
| 1989 | 726 | 654 | -7.0% |
| 1988 | 781 | 710 | -4.1% |
| 1987 | 814 | 729 | +3.8% |
| 1986 | 784 | 716 | +7.5% |
| 1985 | 729 | 656 | +13.4% |
| 1984 | 643 | 588 | -2.0% |
| 1983 | 656 | 607 | +2.5% |
| 1982 | 640 | 575 | -18.1% |
| 1981 | 781 | 691 | +3.3% |
| 1980 | 756 | 682 | +12.7% |
| 1979 | 671 | 605 | -5.6% |
| 1978 | 711 | 644 | +7.6% |
| 1977 | 661 | 601 | +0.2% |
| 1976 | 660 | 582 | -1.5% |
| 1975 | 670 | 598 | No data |
Deaths within 30 days of a crash on a public road, as NHTSA counts them. 2024 is the latest year NHTSA has published; the 2024 figures are from the Annual Report File and may be revised when NHTSA releases the final file. The 2025 file is expected in spring 2027.
The deadliest roads and most dangerous highways in Maryland
I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Maryland from 2015 to 2024: 218, with 235 deaths. The 20 roads listed held 33% of all fatal crashes in Maryland from 2015 to 2024; 5 are interstates, 5 US routes, 10 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes ranked by fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024; ramps and frontage roads are left out (53 crashes). Roads with 15 or more fatal crashes in 2022 to 2024 have their own page. Every numbered road in Maryland, ranked.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | Counties with the most | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-95 | 218 | 235 | 82 | Prince George's, Howard, Cecil |
| 2 | US 40 | 165 | 177 | 58 | Baltimore, Harford, Cecil |
| 3 | US 1 | 145 | 161 | 49 | Baltimore city, Howard, Prince George's |
| 4 | US 301 | 128 | 144 | 40 | Prince George's, Charles, Queen Anne's |
| 5 | State Highway 5 | 108 | 112 | 37 | Prince George's, St. Mary's, Charles |
| 6 | US 50 | 105 | 112 | 27 | Wicomico, Prince George's, Worcester |
| 7 | I-70 | 105 | 110 | 35 | Frederick, Washington, Howard |
| 8 | State Highway 295 | 84 | 88 | 32 | Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Baltimore |
| 9 | State Highway 2 | 81 | 86 | 32 | Anne Arundel, Calvert, Baltimore city |
| 10 | I-695 | 78 | 87 | 29 | Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Baltimore city |
| 11 | State Highway 4 | 72 | 79 | 28 | Prince George's, Calvert, St. Mary's |
| 12 | State Highway 140 | 60 | 65 | 14 | Carroll, Baltimore, Baltimore city |
| 13 | State Highway 26 | 59 | 62 | 24 | Baltimore, Frederick, Baltimore city |
| 14 | State Highway 214 | 53 | 54 | 20 | Prince George's, Anne Arundel |
| 15 | State Highway 210 | 44 | 47 | 14 | Prince George's, Cecil, Charles |
| 16 | State Highway 97 | 44 | 45 | 14 | Montgomery, Carroll, Howard |
| 17 | I-83 | 42 | 47 | 10 | Baltimore, Baltimore city |
| 18 | State Highway 355 | 41 | 41 | 17 | Montgomery, Frederick |
| 19 | US 15 | 39 | 39 | 10 | Frederick |
| 20 | I-270 | 38 | 41 | 15 | Montgomery, Frederick |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Download every numbered road in Maryland as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/maryland/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in Maryland
Prince George's County had the most fatal crashes in Maryland from 2015 to 2024: 1,022, with 1,090 deaths. Prince George's, Baltimore and Baltimore city together held 42% of fatal crashes in Maryland from 2015 to 2024; the 20 listed held 97%. 24 counties in Maryland recorded a fatal crash in those years; the 20 with the most are listed, with deaths per 100,000 residents where the county had 10 or more deaths in 2024.
Per resident, Caroline County has the highest rate in Maryland: 22.5 road deaths per 100,000 residents a year from 2015 to 2024, against 9.1 for the state as a whole. Counties with fewer than 10,000 residents are hatched rather than shaded: a few crashes on a highway through a small county make a rate that says more about its population than its roads.
| County | 2024 | 2015 to 2024 | Deaths | Deaths per 100,000100K, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prince George's County | 97 | 1,022 | 1,090 | 10.4 |
| 2 | Baltimore County | 73 | 675 | 714 | 8.7 |
| 3 | Baltimore city | 58 | 464 | 491 | 10.7 |
| 4 | Anne Arundel County | 51 | 428 | 454 | 8.6 |
| 5 | Montgomery County | 46 | 403 | 425 | 4.3 |
| 6 | Frederick County | 22 | 229 | 236 | 7.7 |
| 7 | Howard County | 20 | 225 | 236 | 6.2 |
| 8 | Charles County | 32 | 221 | 246 | 21.2 |
| 9 | Cecil County | 23 | 200 | 218 | 22.6 |
| 10 | Harford County | 12 | 180 | 190 | 4.9 |
| 11 | Washington County | 14 | 153 | 166 | 8.9 |
| 12 | Carroll County | 16 | 134 | 147 | 9.0 |
| 13 | St. Mary's County | 12 | 132 | 141 | 11.2 |
| 14 | Wicomico County | 15 | 121 | 129 | 16.0 |
| 15 | Worcester County | 7 | 101 | 110 | Not enough data |
| 16 | Calvert County | 14 | 92 | 97 | 14.8 |
| 17 | Allegany County | 9 | 72 | 79 | 14.9 |
| 18 | Caroline County | 8 | 65 | 75 | 29.2 |
| 19 | Queen Anne's County | 7 | 65 | 73 | Not enough data |
| 20 | Garrett County | 3 | 56 | 64 | Not enough data |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/maryland/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in America: every county ranked nationally, and per resident
When fatal crashes happen in Maryland
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 249 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 9 pm to 10 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.4 percent, 230 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 84 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 68 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 133 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 183 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 173 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.7 percent, 88 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 102 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 82 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 130 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 136 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 150 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 69 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 103 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 68 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 102 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 134 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 139 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 70 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 90 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 77 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 120 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 144 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 155 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.6 percent, 83 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 79 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 88 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 122 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 148 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 186 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 102 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 81 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 87 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 129 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 128 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 200 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.2 percent, 219 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 91 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 80 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 144 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 147 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 249 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.3%
- Feb6.5%
- Mar8.0%
- Apr7.8%
- May8.7%
- Jun8.8%
- Jul8.5%
- Aug10.3%
- Sep9.1%
- Oct9.5%
- Nov8.3%
- Dec8.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Where fatal crashes happen in Maryland: rural or urban, intersection, dark or daylight
19% of fatal crashes in Maryland from 2015 to 2024 were on rural roads, below the US share of 43%; 29% happened at or near an intersection, above the US share of 25%; 24% in the dark on unlit roads, below the US share of 28%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across the United States.
| Maryland | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 19% | 43% | below the US share |
| At or near an intersection | 29% | 25% | above the US share |
| In daylight | 42% | 46% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road lit | 29% | 21% | above the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 28% | below the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Who died on Maryland roads in 2024
Vehicle occupants were 54% of the 578 people killed on Maryland roads in 2024; pedestrians 26% (152), motorcyclists 16% (95), cyclists 1.9% (11).
| Road user | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle occupants | 312 | 54% |
| Pedestrians | 152 | 26% |
| Motorcyclists | 95 | 16% |
| Cyclists | 11 | 1.9% |
| Others (on personal conveyances, in parked vehicles, in buildings) | 8 | 1.4% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes happen in Maryland: alcohol, speeding, seat belts, hit-and-run
A drinking driver was recorded in 28% of fatal crashes in Maryland from 2015 to 2024, above the US share of 26%; speeding in 26%, about the US share; a hit-and-run in 7.8%, above the US share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 9.6%, about the US share; 43% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the US share of 49%.
Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024 with the factor recorded, against the US share. "A drinking driver" is NHTSA's drinking-driver flag (police-reported drinking or any positive alcohol test), not its "alcohol-impaired" figure. "Unbelted" is the share of passenger-vehicle occupants killed whose belt use is known (2,753 in Maryland).
| Maryland | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A drinking driver | 28% | 26% | above the US share |
| Speeding | 26% | 27% | about the same as the US share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 9.6% | 8.7% | about the same as the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 43% | 49% | below the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.8% | 6.5% | above the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 16% | about the same as the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What the first harmful event was
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 29%, a pedestrian in 23%, a rollover in 2.8%. What each fatal crash first hit, 2015 to 2024.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 2,011 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 1,493 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 1,169 | 23% |
| Other | 155 | 3.0% |
| Rollover | 143 | 2.8% |
| Cyclist | 110 | 2.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 109 | 2.1% |
| Not reported | 5 | 0.1% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Vehicles in fatal crashes in Maryland
Cars were 46% of the 7,801 vehicles in fatal crashes in Maryland from 2015 to 2024, SUVs 20%, motorcycles 11%, pickups 10%. Every vehicle in a fatal crash from 2015 to 2024, by body type.
| Type | Vehicles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 3,610 | 46% |
| SUVs | 1,579 | 20% |
| Motorcycles | 838 | 11% |
| Pickups | 791 | 10% |
| Other trucks | 331 | 4.2% |
| Vans | 327 | 4.2% |
| Truck-tractors | 271 | 3.5% |
| Buses | 54 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Road deaths in Maryland per resident and per mile driven
| Maryland | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths per 100,000 residents, 2024 | 9.2 | 11.5 | below the US rate |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents a year, 2015 to 2024 | 9.1 | 11.8 | below the US rate |
| Deaths per 100 million vehicle-miles, 2024 | 1.01 | 1.19 | below the US rate |
Population 6,263,220 (Census Bureau estimate, 2024); 57,049 million vehicle-miles (FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, table VM-2). The only figures on this page not counted from FARS.
Questions about fatal crashes in Maryland
- How many people died in car accidents in Maryland in 2024?
- 578 people died in 552 fatal crashes on Maryland roads in 2024, 6.9% fewer than in 2023. That is 9.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.5 across the United States. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Maryland?
- I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Maryland from 2015 to 2024: 218, with 235 deaths. US 40 was second with 165.
- Which county in Maryland has the most fatal crashes?
- Prince George's County, with 1,022 fatal crashes and 1,090 deaths from 2015 to 2024, 97 of them in 2024.
- When do fatal crashes in Maryland happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 249 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Maryland involved a drinking driver?
- 1,449 of 5,195 fatal crashes in Maryland from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, against 26% across the United States.
County pages for Maryland
Every county in Maryland with 30 or more fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, roads, hour and weekday, and deaths per 100,000 residents.
- Prince George's County 1,022
- Baltimore County 675
- Baltimore city 464
- Anne Arundel County 428
- Montgomery County 403
- Frederick County 229
- Howard County 225
- Charles County 221
- Cecil County 200
- Harford County 180
- Washington County 153
- Carroll County 134
- St. Mary's County 132
- Wicomico County 121
- Worcester County 101
- Calvert County 92
- Allegany County 72
- Caroline County 65
- Queen Anne's County 65
- Garrett County 56
- Talbot County 49
- Dorchester County 44
- Somerset County 36
Road pages for Maryland
Every numbered road in Maryland with 15 or more fatal crashes from 2022 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, county, hour and weekday.
Where the Maryland numbers come from
Every figure on this page except the rates is counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the federal census of fatal crashes on US public roads, 2024 Annual Report File. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. Road names are normalised ("I-35", "I 35" and "I-35/PURPLE HEART TRL" are the same road); frontage roads and ramps ("I35 FRONTAGE") are left out of road counts. Totals from the state highway department and news reports can differ by a few: they count from the state's own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked and revised once a year. Fields NHTSA coded as unknown show as "Not reported"; a share is only given over 20 crashes, otherwise "Not enough data". Rates per resident and per mile use Census Bureau population estimates and FHWA vehicle-miles, the only figures not counted from FARS. The full method.