Fatal crashes in Plymouth County, Massachusetts
In 2024, 40 people died in 39 fatal crashes in Plymouth County, 11.1% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 349 fatal crashes and 370 deaths, the 6th most of any county in Massachusetts.
7.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts in 2024; 7 against 5.3 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 542,090, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
Deaths in Plymouth County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39 | 40 |
| 2023 | 35 | 36 |
| 2022 | 42 | 42 |
| 2021 | 34 | 37 |
| 2020 | 27 | 30 |
| 2019 | 31 | 31 |
| 2018 | 29 | 32 |
| 2017 | 43 | 45 |
| 2016 | 34 | 39 |
| 2015 | 35 | 38 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Plymouth County
State Highway 3 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Plymouth County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 22 deaths. The 15 roads listed held 52% of all fatal crashes in Plymouth County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 1 US route, 12 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 3 | 22 | 22 | 12 | |
| 2 | I-495 | 20 | 25 | 5 | |
| 3 | State Highway 24 | 19 | 19 | 8 | |
| 4 | State Highway 28 | 17 | 18 | 3 | |
| 5 | State Highway 18 | 15 | 15 | 5 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 123 | 12 | 12 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 27 | 10 | 12 | 6 | no page |
| 8 | I-195 | 10 | 11 | 1 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 3A | 10 | 10 | 4 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 139 | 9 | 9 | 3 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 58 | 9 | 9 | 4 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 106 | 8 | 11 | 2 | no page |
| 13 | US 6 | 8 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 14 | State Highway 105 | 8 | 8 | 4 | no page |
| 15 | State Highway 25 | 6 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Brockton 63, Wareham 29, Plymouth 22, West Bridgewater 17, Middleboro 17, Lakeville 14, Bridgewater 14, Abington 13. 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 Plymouth County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 19 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 4.6 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 5.5 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.5%
- Feb6.6%
- Mar6.3%
- Apr9.2%
- May7.2%
- Jun6.0%
- Jul10.3%
- Aug9.2%
- Sep8.6%
- Oct9.7%
- Nov8.6%
- Dec8.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Plymouth County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 45%; a collision with another vehicle in 31%, a pedestrian in 14%, a rollover in 4.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 158 | 45% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 109 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 48 | 14% |
| Rollover | 14 | 4.0% |
| Other | 9 | 2.6% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 1.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 1.4% |
| 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 Plymouth County compare with Massachusetts
A drinking driver was recorded in 31% of fatal crashes in Plymouth County from 2015 to 2024, above the Massachusetts share of 30%; speeding in 29%, about the Massachusetts share; a hit-and-run in 4.3%, about the Massachusetts share; a driver recorded as distracted in 13%, above the Massachusetts share of 12%; 69% 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.
| Plymouth | Massachusetts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 2.3% | 6.6% | below the Massachusetts share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 26% | below the Massachusetts share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 21% | 19% | above the Massachusetts share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 30% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Speeding | 29% | 29% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 12% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 69% | 62% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.3% | 4.9% | about the same as the Massachusetts share |
| A motorcycle involved | 20% | 16% | above the Massachusetts share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 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 Plymouth County
- How many people died in car accidents in Plymouth County in 2024?
- 40 people died in 39 fatal crashes in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, in 2024, 11.1% more than in 2023. That is 7.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 5.1 across Massachusetts.
- What is the deadliest road in Plymouth County?
- State Highway 3 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Plymouth County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 22 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Plymouth County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 19 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Plymouth County involved a drinking driver?
- 108 of 349 fatal crashes in Plymouth County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 31%, against 30% across Massachusetts.
Other counties in Massachusetts with a page
- Middlesex County
- Worcester County
- Bristol County
- Hampden County
- Norfolk County
- Essex County
- Suffolk County
- Barnstable County
- Berkshire County
- Hampshire County
- Franklin County
All fatal crashes in Massachusetts, with every county ranked.
Where the Plymouth County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Plymouth County (county code 23). 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.