Fatal crashes in Cumberland County, Maine
In 2024, 23 people died in 21 fatal crashes in Cumberland County, 15.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 197 fatal crashes and 212 deaths, the most of any county in Maine.
7.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Maine in 2024; 7.1 against 11.7 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 313,809, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Maine.
Deaths in Cumberland County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 | 23 |
| 2023 | 17 | 20 |
| 2022 | 24 | 24 |
| 2021 | 19 | 21 |
| 2020 | 16 | 17 |
| 2019 | 19 | 22 |
| 2018 | 21 | 22 |
| 2017 | 25 | 26 |
| 2016 | 20 | 21 |
| 2015 | 15 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Cumberland County
US 302 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 16 deaths. The 10 roads listed held 43% of all fatal crashes in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 3 US routes, 5 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 302 | 14 | 16 | 6 | no page |
| 2 | I-295 | 13 | 15 | 4 | no page |
| 3 | US 1 | 10 | 12 | 3 | |
| 4 | I-95 | 10 | 10 | 6 | |
| 5 | State Highway 22 | 9 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 26 | 7 | 7 | 4 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 35 | 6 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 25 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
| 9 | US 202 | 5 | 6 | 3 | |
| 10 | State Highway 11 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Portland 32, Gorham 17, Scarborough 13, Westbrook 12, Standish 11, Gray 10, Brunswick 10, Falmouth 10. 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 Cumberland County
The heaviest slot is Monday, 8 am to noon, with 10 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 11 pm to midnight; 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 | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.6%
- Feb5.1%
- Mar4.1%
- Apr7.1%
- May9.6%
- Jun9.1%
- Jul8.6%
- Aug14.2%
- Sep11.2%
- Oct9.1%
- Nov8.1%
- Dec8.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Cumberland County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 39%; a collision with another vehicle in 33%, a pedestrian in 16%, a rollover in 4.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 77 | 39% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 64 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 32 | 16% |
| Other | 10 | 5.1% |
| Rollover | 9 | 4.6% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 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 Cumberland County compare with Maine
A drinking driver was recorded in 36% of fatal crashes in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024, about the Maine share; speeding in 21%, below the Maine share of 28%; a hit-and-run in 3.0%, above the Maine share of 1.3%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.6%, about the Maine share; 39% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Maine share of 52%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Maine. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Cumberland | Maine | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 51% | 81% | below the Maine share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 15% | above the Maine share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 27% | 30% | below the Maine share |
| A drinking driver | 36% | 37% | about the same as the Maine share |
| Speeding | 21% | 28% | below the Maine share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.6% | 7.6% | about the same as the Maine share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 52% | below the Maine share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.0% | 1.3% | above the Maine share |
| A motorcycle involved | 22% | 17% | above the Maine share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 10% | above the Maine 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 Cumberland County
- How many people died in car accidents in Cumberland County in 2024?
- 23 people died in 21 fatal crashes in Cumberland County, Maine, in 2024, 15.0% more than in 2023. That is 7.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Maine.
- What is the deadliest road in Cumberland County?
- US 302 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 16 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Cumberland County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Monday, 8 am to noon, with 10 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Cumberland County involved a drinking driver?
- 71 of 197 fatal crashes in Cumberland County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 36%, against 37% across Maine.
Other counties in Maine with a page
- York County
- Penobscot County
- Kennebec County
- Androscoggin County
- Hancock County
- Oxford County
- Somerset County
- Aroostook County
- Waldo County
- Washington County
All fatal crashes in Maine, with every county ranked.
Where the Cumberland County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Cumberland 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. The full method.