Fatal crashes in Bristol County, Massachusetts
In 2024, 35 people died in 33 fatal crashes in Bristol County, Massachusetts, 16.7% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 403 fatal crashes and 429 deaths, the 3rd most of 14 counties in Massachusetts.
5.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts in 2024; 7.5 against 5.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 588,593, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
Deaths in Bristol County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33 | 35 |
| 2023 | 38 | 42 |
| 2022 | 35 | 39 |
| 2021 | 44 | 46 |
| 2020 | 46 | 48 |
| 2019 | 47 | 51 |
| 2018 | 31 | 31 |
| 2017 | 44 | 45 |
| 2016 | 45 | 51 |
| 2015 | 40 | 41 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Bristol County
I-195 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bristol County from 2015 to 2024: 41, with 46 deaths. The 12 roads listed held 50% of all fatal crashes in Bristol County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 2 US routes, 7 state highways. 57% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 43% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-195 | 41 | 46 | 11 | no page |
| 2 | US 6 | 24 | 26 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 140 | 22 | 24 | 8 | |
| 4 | I-495 | 21 | 24 | 4 | |
| 5 | State Highway 24 | 21 | 22 | 9 | |
| 6 | I-95 | 16 | 17 | 2 | |
| 7 | US 44 | 16 | 17 | 5 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 138 | 13 | 13 | 2 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 18 | 11 | 11 | 3 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 106 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 123 | 5 | 8 | 3 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 79 | 5 | 5 | 2 | no page |
Fall River had 12% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 48 of 403.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Fall River 48, New Bedford 45, Town Of Dighton 23, Attleboro 19, Somerset 15, Mansfield 15, Swansea 15, Rehoboth 14. 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 Bristol County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 24 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 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 | 6.0 percent, 24 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 17 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.0 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.4%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar6.2%
- Apr7.7%
- May6.7%
- Jun8.9%
- Jul8.7%
- Aug11.4%
- Sep8.9%
- Oct8.2%
- Nov11.4%
- 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 Bristol County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 37%; a collision with another vehicle in 34%, a pedestrian in 15%, a rollover in 4.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 148 | 37% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 135 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 60 | 15% |
| Other | 20 | 5.0% |
| Rollover | 16 | 4.0% |
| Cyclist | 12 | 3.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 11 | 2.7% |
| Not reported | 1 | 0.2% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Bristol County compare with Massachusetts
The largest difference from Massachusetts: from 2015 to 2024, 0.5% of fatal crashes in Bristol County were on rural roads, against 6.6% across Massachusetts. Also above the Massachusetts share: unlit roads at night. Below it: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Massachusetts. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 403 crashes.
| Bristol | Massachusetts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 0.5% | 6.6% | below the Massachusetts share |
| At or near an intersection | 22% | 26% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 24% | 19% | above the Massachusetts share |
| A drinking driver | 32% | 30% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| Speeding | 30% | 29% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 12% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 65% | 62% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.7% | 4.9% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 16% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 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 Bristol County, Massachusetts
- How many people died in car accidents in Bristol County in 2024?
- 35 people died in 33 fatal crashes in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in 2024, 16.7% fewer than in 2023. That is 5.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Bristol County?
- I-195 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Bristol County from 2015 to 2024: 41, with 46 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Bristol County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Saturday), with 24 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Bristol County involved a drinking driver?
- 127 of 403 fatal crashes in Bristol County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 32%, against 30% across Massachusetts.
Other counties in Massachusetts with a page
- Middlesex County
- Worcester County
- Hampden County
- Norfolk County
- Plymouth County
- Essex County
- Suffolk County
- Barnstable County
- Berkshire County
- Hampshire County
- Franklin County
All fatal crashes in Massachusetts, with every county ranked.
Where the Bristol County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Bristol County (county code 5). 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. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/massachusetts/bristol-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”