Fatal crashes in Durham County, North Carolina
In 2024, 31 people died in 30 fatal crashes in Durham County, 18.4% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 285 fatal crashes and 296 deaths, the 9th most of any county in North Carolina.
9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina in 2024; 9.2 against 14.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 343,628, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in North Carolina.
Deaths in Durham County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 | 31 |
| 2023 | 36 | 38 |
| 2022 | 28 | 29 |
| 2021 | 22 | 22 |
| 2020 | 32 | 33 |
| 2019 | 31 | 34 |
| 2018 | 31 | 31 |
| 2017 | 28 | 31 |
| 2016 | 22 | 22 |
| 2015 | 25 | 25 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Durham County
US 501 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Durham County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 32 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 42% of all fatal crashes in Durham County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 2 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 | US 501 | 31 | 32 | 14 | |
| 2 | I-85 | 16 | 17 | 7 | |
| 3 | US 70 | 14 | 15 | 3 | |
| 4 | State Highway 98 | 14 | 14 | 6 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 147 | 11 | 12 | 3 | no page |
| 6 | I-40 | 11 | 11 | 6 | |
| 7 | State Highway 55 | 11 | 11 | 3 | |
| 8 | State Highway 54 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 157 | 6 | 6 | 4 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Durham 193. 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 Durham County
The heaviest slot is Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 14 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 7 pm to 8 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 | 3.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.9 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.3%
- Feb4.2%
- Mar7.7%
- Apr10.5%
- May8.8%
- Jun6.3%
- Jul12.3%
- Aug10.2%
- Sep8.4%
- Oct10.9%
- Nov7.0%
- Dec7.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Durham County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 45%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a pedestrian in 19%, a rollover in 3.9%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 127 | 45% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 71 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 53 | 19% |
| Rollover | 11 | 3.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 8 | 2.8% |
| Other | 8 | 2.8% |
| Cyclist | 7 | 2.5% |
| 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 Durham County compare with North Carolina
A drinking driver was recorded in 31% of fatal crashes in Durham County from 2015 to 2024, above the North Carolina share of 25%; speeding in 41%, above the North Carolina share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 9.5%, above the North Carolina share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.3%, about the North Carolina share; 56% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the North Carolina share of 47%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of North Carolina. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Durham | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 20% | 57% | below the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 30% | 19% | above the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 30% | 34% | below the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 25% | above the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 41% | 32% | above the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.3% | 6.3% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 56% | 47% | above the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 9.5% | 5.1% | above the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 14% | above the North Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 20% | 15% | above the North Carolina 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 Durham County
- How many people died in car accidents in Durham County in 2024?
- 31 people died in 30 fatal crashes in Durham County, North Carolina, in 2024, 18.4% fewer than in 2023. That is 9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina.
- What is the deadliest road in Durham County?
- US 501 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Durham County from 2015 to 2024: 31, with 32 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Durham County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Wednesday, 4 to 8 pm, with 14 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Durham County involved a drinking driver?
- 88 of 285 fatal crashes in Durham County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 31%, against 25% across North Carolina.
Other counties in North Carolina with a page
- Mecklenburg County
- Wake County
- Guilford County
- Robeson County
- Cumberland County
- Forsyth County
- Buncombe County
- Johnston County
- Davidson County
- Gaston County
- Harnett County
- Randolph County
All fatal crashes in North Carolina, with every county ranked.
Where the Durham County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Durham County (county code 63). 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.