Fatal crashes in Howard County, Maryland
In 2024, 21 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Howard County, 8.7% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 225 fatal crashes and 236 deaths, the 7th most of any county in Maryland.
6.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland in 2024; 7.2 against 9.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 339,668, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Maryland.
Deaths in Howard County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | 21 |
| 2023 | 23 | 23 |
| 2022 | 29 | 29 |
| 2021 | 31 | 33 |
| 2020 | 26 | 29 |
| 2019 | 21 | 23 |
| 2018 | 19 | 20 |
| 2017 | 17 | 17 |
| 2016 | 21 | 23 |
| 2015 | 18 | 18 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Howard County
I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Howard County from 2015 to 2024: 30, with 33 deaths. The 10 roads listed held 67% of all fatal crashes in Howard 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 | I-95 | 30 | 33 | 9 | |
| 2 | US 1 | 30 | 31 | 16 | |
| 3 | I-70 | 26 | 28 | 7 | |
| 4 | State Highway 32 | 15 | 15 | 6 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 175 | 13 | 14 | 4 | no page |
| 6 | US 29 | 12 | 12 | 4 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 108 | 8 | 9 | 0 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 100 | 6 | 7 | 1 | no page |
| 9 | US 40 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| 10 | State Highway 97 | 5 | 5 | 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 Howard County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 17 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 2 am to 3 am; 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 | 7.6 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 4.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.4 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.2%
- Feb5.8%
- Mar7.1%
- Apr5.8%
- May8.4%
- Jun8.9%
- Jul8.4%
- Aug12.9%
- Sep12.9%
- Oct10.2%
- Nov6.2%
- Dec7.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Howard County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 42%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 29%, a pedestrian in 20%, a parked vehicle in 2.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 95 | 42% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 65 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 46 | 20% |
| Other | 9 | 4.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 2.2% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 1.3% |
| Rollover | 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 Howard County compare with Maryland
A drinking driver was recorded in 29% of fatal crashes in Howard County from 2015 to 2024, above the Maryland share of 28%; speeding in 28%, above the Maryland share of 26%; a hit-and-run in 7.1%, about the Maryland share; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.9%, below the Maryland share of 9.6%; 47% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| Howard | Maryland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 15% | 19% | below the Maryland share |
| At or near an intersection | 20% | 29% | below the Maryland share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 30% | 24% | above the Maryland share |
| A drinking driver | 29% | 28% | above the Maryland share |
| Speeding | 28% | 26% | above the Maryland share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.9% | 9.6% | below the Maryland share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 47% | 43% | above the Maryland share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.1% | 7.8% | about the same as the Maryland share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 16% | below the Maryland share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 23% | 23% | about the same as 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 Howard County
- How many people died in car accidents in Howard County in 2024?
- 21 people died in 20 fatal crashes in Howard County, Maryland, in 2024, 8.7% fewer than in 2023. That is 6.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Maryland.
- What is the deadliest road in Howard County?
- I-95 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Howard County from 2015 to 2024: 30, with 33 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Howard County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 17 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Howard County involved a drinking driver?
- 66 of 225 fatal crashes in Howard County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 29%, 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
- 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 Howard County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Howard County (county code 27). 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.