Fatal crashes in Frederick County, Maryland
In 2024, 23 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Frederick County, Maryland, 30.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 229 fatal crashes and 236 deaths, the 6th most of 24 counties in Maryland.
7.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland in 2024; 8.8 against 9.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 299,317, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Maryland.
Deaths in Frederick County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | 23 |
| 2023 | 30 | 33 |
| 2022 | 30 | 30 |
| 2021 | 23 | 23 |
| 2020 | 23 | 23 |
| 2019 | 24 | 24 |
| 2018 | 17 | 17 |
| 2017 | 24 | 27 |
| 2016 | 16 | 16 |
| 2015 | 20 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Frederick County
US 15 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Frederick County from 2015 to 2024: 39, with 39 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 56% of all fatal crashes in Frederick County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 3 state highways. 71% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 29% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 15 | 39 | 39 | 10 | no page |
| 2 | I-70 | 36 | 37 | 15 | |
| 3 | US 40 | 12 | 13 | 5 | |
| 4 | State Highway 85 | 10 | 10 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | US 340 | 10 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 26 | 9 | 9 | 4 | |
| 7 | I-270 | 8 | 10 | 3 | |
| 8 | State Highway 550 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 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 Frederick County
The heaviest slot is Thursday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 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 | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.6%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar7.4%
- Apr7.0%
- May10.9%
- Jun10.0%
- Jul7.9%
- Aug7.9%
- Sep10.5%
- Oct9.6%
- Nov7.9%
- Dec9.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Frederick County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 40%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 36%, a pedestrian in 8.7%, a rollover in 5.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 92 | 40% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 83 | 36% |
| Pedestrian | 20 | 8.7% |
| Rollover | 13 | 5.7% |
| Other | 11 | 4.8% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 2.2% |
| 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 Frederick County compare with Maryland
The largest difference from Maryland: from 2015 to 2024, 40% of fatal crashes in Frederick County were on rural roads, against 19% across Maryland. Also above the Maryland share: distracted drivers. Below it: intersections, hit-and-runs 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 229 crashes.
| Frederick | Maryland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 40% | 19% | above the Maryland share |
| At or near an intersection | 22% | 29% | below the Maryland share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 26% | 24% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 28% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Speeding | 28% | 26% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 16% | 9.6% | above the Maryland share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 40% | 43% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.2% | 7.8% | below the Maryland share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 16% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 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 Frederick County, Maryland
- How many people died in car accidents in Frederick County in 2024?
- 23 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Frederick County, Maryland, in 2024, 30.3% fewer than in 2023. That is 7.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Frederick County?
- US 15 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Frederick County from 2015 to 2024: 39, with 39 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Frederick County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Thursday, noon to 4 pm, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Frederick County involved a drinking driver?
- 58 of 229 fatal crashes in Frederick County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 25%, against 28% across Maryland.
Other counties in Maryland with a page
- Prince George's County
- Baltimore County
- Baltimore city
- Anne Arundel County
- Montgomery County
- Howard County
- Charles County
- Cecil County
- Harford County
- Washington County
- Carroll County
- St. Mary's County
All fatal crashes in Maryland, with every county ranked.
Where the Frederick County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Frederick County (county code 21). 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/frederick-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”