Fatal crashes in Barnstable County, Massachusetts
In 2024, 13 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Barnstable County, 8.3% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 132 fatal crashes and 138 deaths, the 9th most of any county in Massachusetts.
5.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts in 2024; 6.2 against 5.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 232,570, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
Deaths in Barnstable County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 13 |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 |
| 2022 | 15 | 15 |
| 2021 | 19 | 19 |
| 2020 | 12 | 12 |
| 2019 | 7 | 7 |
| 2018 | 14 | 16 |
| 2017 | 13 | 14 |
| 2016 | 16 | 18 |
| 2015 | 12 | 12 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Barnstable County
State Highway 28 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Barnstable County from 2015 to 2024: 25, with 27 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 45% of all fatal crashes in Barnstable County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 4 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 | State Highway 28 | 25 | 27 | 5 | |
| 2 | US 6 | 16 | 16 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 6A | 8 | 9 | 1 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 151 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 130 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Falmouth 24, Yarmouth 12, Bourne 12, Mashpee 11, Harwich 10, Barnstable 9, Dennis 7, Sandwich 7. 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 Barnstable County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.8%
- Feb8.3%
- Mar3.0%
- Apr6.1%
- May10.6%
- Jun5.3%
- Jul10.6%
- Aug15.2%
- Sep9.8%
- Oct10.6%
- Nov9.1%
- Dec4.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Barnstable County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 38%; a collision with another vehicle in 36%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 3.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 50 | 38% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 48 | 36% |
| Pedestrian | 20 | 15% |
| Rollover | 5 | 3.8% |
| Other | 4 | 3.0% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 2.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.5% |
| 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 Barnstable County compare with Massachusetts
A drinking driver was recorded in 33% of fatal crashes in Barnstable County from 2015 to 2024, above the Massachusetts share of 30%; speeding in 24%, below the Massachusetts share of 29%; a hit-and-run in 4.5%, about the Massachusetts share; a driver recorded as distracted in 13%, above the Massachusetts share of 12%; 66% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the Massachusetts share of 62%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Massachusetts. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Barnstable | Massachusetts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 0.8% | 6.6% | below the Massachusetts share |
| At or near an intersection | 29% | 26% | above the Massachusetts share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 28% | 19% | above the Massachusetts share |
| A drinking driver | 33% | 30% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Speeding | 24% | 29% | below the Massachusetts share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 12% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 66% | 62% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.5% | 4.9% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 16% | below the Massachusetts share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 20% | below the Massachusetts 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 Barnstable County
- How many people died in car accidents in Barnstable County in 2024?
- 13 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, in 2024, 8.3% more than in 2023. That is 5.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts.
- What is the deadliest road in Barnstable County?
- State Highway 28 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Barnstable County from 2015 to 2024: 25, with 27 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Barnstable County involved a drinking driver?
- 44 of 132 fatal crashes in Barnstable County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 33%, against 30% across Massachusetts.
Other counties in Massachusetts with a page
- Middlesex County
- Worcester County
- Bristol County
- Hampden County
- Norfolk County
- Plymouth County
- Essex County
- Suffolk County
- Berkshire County
- Hampshire County
- Franklin County
All fatal crashes in Massachusetts, with every county ranked.
Where the Barnstable County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Barnstable County (county code 1). 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.