Fatal crashes in Frederick County, Maryland
In 2024, 23 people died in 22 fatal crashes in Frederick County, 30.3% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 229 fatal crashes and 236 deaths, the 6th most of any county 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. 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 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 crashes | 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
A drinking driver was recorded in 25% of fatal crashes in Frederick County from 2015 to 2024, below the Maryland share of 28%; speeding in 28%, above the Maryland share of 26%; a hit-and-run in 2.2%, below the Maryland share of 7.8%; a driver recorded as distracted in 16%, above the Maryland share of 9.6%; 40% 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.
| 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% | above the Maryland share |
| A drinking driver | 25% | 28% | below the Maryland share |
| Speeding | 28% | 26% | above the Maryland share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 16% | 9.6% | above the Maryland share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 40% | 43% | below the Maryland share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.2% | 7.8% | below the Maryland share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 16% | above 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
- 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.
- 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. The full method.