Fatal crashes in Massachusetts
In 2024, 363 people died in 349 fatal crashes on Massachusetts roads, 6.1% more than in 2023. That is about 1 death a day, and 0.9% of all road deaths in the United States.
Massachusetts ranks 32nd of 51 by road deaths in 2024.
Road deaths in Massachusetts since 1975
Deaths within 30 days of a crash on a public road, as NHTSA counts them. 2024 is the latest year NHTSA has published; the 2024 figures are from the Annual Report File and may be revised when NHTSA releases the final file. The 2025 file is expected in spring 2027.
The deadliest roads in Massachusetts
I-495 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Massachusetts from 2015 to 2024: 140, with 155 deaths. Interstate, US and state routes ranked by fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024; ramps and frontage roads are left out (40 crashes). Roads with 15 or more fatal crashes in 2022 to 2024 have their own page.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | Counties with the most | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-495 | 140 | 155 | 44 | Middlesex, Essex, Bristol |
| 2 | I-95 | 86 | 89 | 23 | Norfolk, Essex, Middlesex |
| 3 | I-90 | 75 | 79 | 22 | Worcester, Hampden, Suffolk |
| 4 | US 20 | 74 | 83 | 20 | Worcester, Hampden, Berkshire |
| 5 | State Highway 28 | 72 | 78 | 20 | Barnstable, Plymouth, Norfolk |
| 6 | I-93 | 72 | 74 | 21 | Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex |
| 7 | State Highway 24 | 58 | 59 | 23 | Bristol, Plymouth, Norfolk |
| 8 | I-195 | 51 | 57 | 12 | Bristol, Plymouth |
| 9 | US 6 | 48 | 52 | 13 | Bristol, Barnstable, Plymouth |
| 10 | State Highway 9 | 48 | 50 | 16 | Worcester, Hampshire, Berkshire |
| 11 | US 1 | 45 | 46 | 17 | Essex, Norfolk, Bristol |
| 12 | State Highway 140 | 44 | 48 | 16 | Bristol, Worcester, Norfolk |
| 13 | State Highway 2 | 40 | 43 | 10 | Worcester, Franklin, Middlesex |
| 14 | State Highway 3 | 35 | 35 | 18 | Plymouth, Norfolk, Middlesex |
| 15 | I-91 | 32 | 35 | 8 | Hampden, Franklin, Hampshire |
| 16 | State Highway 18 | 29 | 29 | 8 | Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk |
| 17 | State Highway 2A | 29 | 29 | 8 | Middlesex, Worcester, Franklin |
| 18 | State Highway 1A | 28 | 31 | 5 | Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk |
| 19 | State Highway 110 | 27 | 27 | 6 | Essex, Middlesex, Worcester |
| 20 | I-290 | 24 | 25 | 8 | Worcester, Middlesex |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest counties in Massachusetts
Middlesex County had the most fatal crashes in Massachusetts from 2015 to 2024: 499, with 513 deaths. 14 counties in Massachusetts recorded a fatal crash in those years; the 14 with the most are listed.
| County | 2024 | 2015 to 2024 | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlesex | 54 | 499 | 513 |
| 2 | Worcester | 46 | 497 | 533 |
| 3 | Bristol | 33 | 403 | 429 |
| 4 | Hampden | 35 | 390 | 418 |
| 5 | Norfolk | 36 | 350 | 368 |
| 6 | Plymouth | 39 | 349 | 370 |
| 7 | Essex | 27 | 322 | 332 |
| 8 | Suffolk | 31 | 256 | 271 |
| 9 | Barnstable | 12 | 132 | 138 |
| 10 | Berkshire | 13 | 119 | 122 |
| 11 | Hampshire | 13 | 81 | 84 |
| 12 | Franklin | 7 | 69 | 71 |
| 13 | Dukes | 2 | 10 | 10 |
| 14 | Nantucket | 1 | 6 | 6 |
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 Massachusetts
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 149 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; 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 | 4.1 percent, 140 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 52 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 43 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 81 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 130 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 116 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.2 percent, 41 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 43 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 47 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 74 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 105 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 82 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 40 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 46 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 56 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 97 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 106 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 80 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 40 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 53 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 70 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 97 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 111 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 74 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 46 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 52 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 63 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 96 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 108 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 102 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.9 percent, 67 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 56 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 78 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 86 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 110 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 149 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.9 percent, 135 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 61 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 55 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 97 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 121 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 132 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.1%
- Feb6.7%
- Mar6.6%
- Apr8.0%
- May8.3%
- Jun9.0%
- Jul9.5%
- Aug9.8%
- Sep9.0%
- Oct8.9%
- Nov8.9%
- Dec8.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Where fatal crashes happen in Massachusetts: rural or urban, intersection, dark or daylight
Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across the United States.
| Massachusetts | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 6.6% | 43% | below the US share |
| At or near an intersection | 26% | 25% | about the same as the US share |
| In daylight | 46% | 46% | about the same as the US share |
| In the dark, road lit | 29% | 21% | above the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 19% | 28% | below the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Who died on Massachusetts roads in 2024
| Road user | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle occupants | 198 | 55% |
| Pedestrians | 76 | 21% |
| Motorcyclists | 70 | 19% |
| Cyclists | 10 | 2.8% |
| Others (on personal conveyances, in parked vehicles, in buildings) | 9 | 2.5% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes happen in Massachusetts: alcohol, speeding, seat belts, hit-and-run
Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024 with the factor recorded, against the US share. "A drinking driver" is NHTSA's drinking-driver flag (police-reported drinking or any positive alcohol test), not its "alcohol-impaired" figure. "Unbelted" is the share of passenger-vehicle occupants killed whose belt use is known (1,753 in Massachusetts).
| Massachusetts | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A drinking driver | 30% | 26% | above the US share |
| Speeding | 29% | 27% | above the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 62% | 49% | above the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.9% | 6.5% | below the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 16% | about the same as the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What the first harmful event was
What each fatal crash first hit, 2015 to 2024.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 1,217 | 35% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 1,121 | 32% |
| Pedestrian | 690 | 20% |
| Other | 172 | 4.9% |
| Rollover | 120 | 3.4% |
| Cyclist | 84 | 2.4% |
| Parked vehicle | 77 | 2.2% |
| Not reported | 2 | 0.1% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Vehicles in fatal crashes in Massachusetts
Every vehicle in a fatal crash from 2015 to 2024, by body type (4,934 vehicles).
| Type | Vehicles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 2,154 | 44% |
| SUVs | 1,167 | 24% |
| Motorcycles | 587 | 12% |
| Pickups | 475 | 9.6% |
| Other trucks | 221 | 4.5% |
| Vans | 194 | 3.9% |
| Truck-tractors | 109 | 2.2% |
| Buses | 27 | 0.5% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Road pages for Massachusetts
Every numbered road in Massachusetts with 15 or more fatal crashes from 2022 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, county, hour and weekday.
Where the Massachusetts numbers come from
Every figure on this page is counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the federal census of fatal crashes on US public roads, 2024 Annual Report File. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. Road names are normalised ("I35 FRONTAGE" and "I-35" are the same road; frontage roads and ramps are left out of road counts). Fields NHTSA coded as unknown show as "Not reported"; a share is only given over 20 crashes, otherwise "Not enough data". The full method.