Fatal crashes in Charles County, Maryland
In 2024, 37 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Charles County, 76.2% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 221 fatal crashes and 246 deaths, the 8th most of any county in Maryland.
21.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland in 2024; 14.9 against 9.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 174,478, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Maryland.
Deaths in Charles County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 37 |
| 2023 | 20 | 21 |
| 2022 | 23 | 25 |
| 2021 | 17 | 18 |
| 2020 | 25 | 26 |
| 2019 | 18 | 19 |
| 2018 | 18 | 21 |
| 2017 | 28 | 35 |
| 2016 | 26 | 29 |
| 2015 | 14 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Charles County
US 301 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Charles County from 2015 to 2024: 50, with 57 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 59% of all fatal crashes in Charles County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 7 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 301 | 50 | 57 | 17 | |
| 2 | State Highway 5 | 23 | 24 | 9 | |
| 3 | State Highway 6 | 22 | 25 | 8 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 224 | 10 | 10 | 4 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 225 | 8 | 10 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 228 | 6 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 229 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 231 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 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 Charles County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 3 pm to 4 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.1 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 6.8 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan3.6%
- Feb5.0%
- Mar10.0%
- Apr9.5%
- May7.7%
- Jun8.1%
- Jul8.1%
- Aug9.5%
- Sep10.9%
- Oct10.9%
- Nov6.3%
- Dec10.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Charles County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 39%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 37%, a pedestrian in 17%, a cyclist in 2.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 85 | 39% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 82 | 37% |
| Pedestrian | 38 | 17% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 2.7% |
| Other | 5 | 2.3% |
| Rollover | 3 | 1.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 0.9% |
| 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 Charles County compare with Maryland
A drinking driver was recorded in 32% of fatal crashes in Charles County from 2015 to 2024, above the Maryland share of 28%; speeding in 29%, above the Maryland share of 26%; a hit-and-run in 5.4%, below the Maryland share of 7.8%; a driver recorded as distracted in 15%, above the Maryland share of 9.6%; 37% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Maryland share of 43%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Maryland. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Charles | Maryland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 30% | 19% | above the Maryland share |
| At or near an intersection | 24% | 29% | below the Maryland share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 38% | 24% | above the Maryland share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 28% | above the Maryland share |
| Speeding | 29% | 26% | above the Maryland share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 15% | 9.6% | above the Maryland share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 37% | 43% | below the Maryland share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.4% | 7.8% | below the Maryland share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 16% | above the Maryland share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 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 Charles County
- How many people died in car accidents in Charles County in 2024?
- 37 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Charles County, Maryland, in 2024, 76.2% more than in 2023. That is 21.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland.
- What is the deadliest road in Charles County?
- US 301 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Charles County from 2015 to 2024: 50, with 57 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Charles County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Charles County involved a drinking driver?
- 70 of 221 fatal crashes in Charles County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 32%, 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
- Cecil County
- Harford County
- Washington County
- Carroll County
- St. Mary's County
All fatal crashes in Maryland, with every county ranked.
Where the Charles County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Charles County (county code 17). 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.