Fatal crashes in Dorchester County, Maryland
In 2024, 7 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Dorchester County, Maryland, up from 6 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 44 fatal crashes and 49 deaths, the 22nd most of 24 counties in Maryland.
Deaths in Dorchester County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 | 6 |
| 2022 | 4 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 2 | 2 |
| 2017 | 6 | 6 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Numbered roads with fatal crashes in Dorchester County
The 3 roads listed held 59% of all fatal crashes in Dorchester County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 state highways. 84% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 16% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 16 | 9 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 2 | US 50 | 9 | 10 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 392 | 8 | 8 | 2 | no page |
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 Dorchester County
44 fatal crashes in Dorchester County, Maryland from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is noon to 1 pm; the worst month is November.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Wed | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 4.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 9.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 9.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.1%
- Feb4.5%
- Mar9.1%
- Apr9.1%
- May2.3%
- Jun6.8%
- Jul9.1%
- Aug11.4%
- Sep9.1%
- Oct2.3%
- Nov20.5%
- Dec6.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Dorchester County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%, a pedestrian in 6.8%, a parked vehicle in 4.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 19 | 43% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 14 | 32% |
| Other | 6 | 14% |
| Pedestrian | 3 | 6.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 4.5% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| Rollover | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Dorchester County compare with Maryland
The largest difference from Maryland: from 2015 to 2024, 79% of fatal crashes in Dorchester County were on rural roads, against 19% across Maryland. Also above the Maryland share: distracted drivers. Below it: speeding and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Maryland. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 44 crashes.
| Dorchester | Maryland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 79% | 19% | above the Maryland share |
| At or near an intersection | 27% | 29% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 27% | 24% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 28% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Speeding | 11% | 26% | below the Maryland share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 25% | 9.6% | above the Maryland share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 43% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 7.8% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 16% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 10% | 23% | below the Maryland 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 Dorchester County, Maryland
- How many people died in car accidents in Dorchester County in 2024?
- 7 people died in 6 fatal crashes in Dorchester County, Maryland, in 2024, up from 6 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- How many fatal crashes in Dorchester County involved a drinking driver?
- 12 of 44 fatal crashes in Dorchester County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 28% across Maryland.
Other counties in Maryland with a page
- Prince George's County
- Baltimore County
- Baltimore city
- Anne Arundel County
- Montgomery County
- Frederick County
- Howard County
- Charles County
- Cecil County
- Harford County
- Washington County
- Carroll County
All fatal crashes in Maryland, with every county ranked.
Where the Dorchester County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Dorchester County (county code 19). 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/maryland/dorchester-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”