Fatal Crash Data

Fatal crashes in Adams County, Pennsylvania

In 2024, 13 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Adams County, 30.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 115 fatal crashes and 125 deaths.

12 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 12 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 107,914, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.

Deaths in Adams County by year

10201620182020202220242018: 162024: 13
YearFatal crashesDeaths
20241313
2023910
2022913
20211011
20201316
20191212
20181516
201755
20161515
20151414

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

The deadliest roads in Adams County

US 30 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Adams County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 15 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 44% of all fatal crashes in Adams County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 3 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.

RoadFatal crashesDeaths2022 to 2024
1US 3014154
2State Highway 23411122no page
3US 1510113no page
4State Highway 949101no page
5State Highway 116791no page

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 Adams County

Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.

Share of fatal crashes in Adams County by weekday and time of day, 2015 to 2024, in percent
Midnight to 44 to 8 am8 to noonNoon to 44 to 8 pm8 to midnight
Sun2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes
Mon0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes4.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes
Tue1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes7.0 percent, 8 fatal crashes4.4 percent, 5 fatal crashes1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes
Wed0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes
Thu0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes
Fri2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes5.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes7.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes
Sat2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes1.8 percent, 2 fatal crashes2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes

By hour

By month

  • Jan4.3%
  • Feb6.1%
  • Mar7.8%
  • Apr3.5%
  • May12.2%
  • Jun17.4%
  • Jul15.7%
  • Aug9.6%
  • Sep6.1%
  • Oct8.7%
  • Nov6.1%
  • Dec2.6%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

What fatal crashes in Adams County first hit

The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 41%; a collision with another vehicle in 40%, a rollover in 7.0%, a pedestrian in 6.1%.

First harmful eventFatal crashesShare
Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch)4741%
Collision with another vehicle4640%
Rollover87.0%
Pedestrian76.1%
Other54.3%
Cyclist21.7%
Parked vehicle00.0%
Not reported00.0%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

How fatal crashes in Adams County compare with Pennsylvania

A drinking driver was recorded in 24% of fatal crashes in Adams County from 2015 to 2024, below the Pennsylvania share of 25%; speeding in 44%, above the Pennsylvania share of 40%; a hit-and-run in 0.0%, below the Pennsylvania share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 8.7%, above the Pennsylvania share of 5.3%; 46% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Pennsylvania share of 58%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Pennsylvania. A share is only given over 20 crashes.

AdamsPennsylvania
On rural roads76%45%above the Pennsylvania share
At or near an intersection21%24%below the Pennsylvania share
In the dark, road unlit22%25%below the Pennsylvania share
A drinking driver24%25%below the Pennsylvania share
Speeding44%40%above the Pennsylvania share
A distracted driver (as recorded)8.7%5.3%above the Pennsylvania share
Occupants killed unbelted46%58%below the Pennsylvania share
Hit-and-run0.0%5.1%below the Pennsylvania share
A motorcycle involved22%18%above the Pennsylvania share
Pedestrians among the dead6.4%14%below the Pennsylvania 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 Adams County

How many people died in car accidents in Adams County in 2024?
13 people died in 13 fatal crashes in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 30.0% more than in 2023. That is 12 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania.
What is the deadliest road in Adams County?
US 30 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Adams County from 2015 to 2024: 14, with 15 deaths.
How many fatal crashes in Adams County involved a drinking driver?
28 of 115 fatal crashes in Adams County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, against 25% across Pennsylvania.

Other counties in Pennsylvania with a page

All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania, with every county ranked.

Where the Adams County numbers come from

Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Adams 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.