Fatal crashes in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
In 2024, 52 people died in 49 fatal crashes in Lancaster County, 2.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 474 fatal crashes and 503 deaths, the 4th most of any county in Pennsylvania.
9.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania in 2024; 9.2 against 9 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 563,293, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania.
Deaths in Lancaster County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 49 | 52 |
| 2023 | 49 | 51 |
| 2022 | 52 | 57 |
| 2021 | 69 | 73 |
| 2020 | 43 | 47 |
| 2019 | 43 | 44 |
| 2018 | 40 | 45 |
| 2017 | 40 | 42 |
| 2016 | 43 | 44 |
| 2015 | 46 | 48 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Lancaster County
US 222 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lancaster County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 36 deaths. The 15 roads listed held 47% of all fatal crashes in Lancaster County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 US routes, 11 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 222 | 32 | 36 | 10 | |
| 2 | US 30 | 32 | 35 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 272 | 24 | 24 | 10 | no page |
| 4 | US 322 | 21 | 23 | 6 | |
| 5 | State Highway 23 | 20 | 22 | 5 | no page |
| 6 | I-76 | 15 | 19 | 6 | |
| 7 | State Highway 72 | 14 | 14 | 6 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 340 | 10 | 10 | 4 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 462 | 10 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 772 | 9 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 11 | State Highway 441 | 8 | 8 | 1 | no page |
| 12 | State Highway 897 | 7 | 8 | 1 | no page |
| 13 | State Highway 0272 | 7 | 7 | 0 | no page |
| 14 | State Highway 241 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
| 15 | State Highway 501 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Lancaster 11, Ephrata 8, Columbia 6, Paradise 5, East Earl 5. 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 Lancaster County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 22 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 19 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 22 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.0 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 16 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.2%
- Feb5.9%
- Mar5.1%
- Apr7.4%
- May9.5%
- Jun9.1%
- Jul8.9%
- Aug9.3%
- Sep8.6%
- Oct11.4%
- Nov8.4%
- Dec9.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Lancaster County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 47%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 28%, a pedestrian in 12%, a rollover in 4.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 222 | 47% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 132 | 28% |
| Pedestrian | 56 | 12% |
| Other | 26 | 5.5% |
| Rollover | 19 | 4.0% |
| Cyclist | 9 | 1.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 9 | 1.9% |
| 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 Lancaster County compare with Pennsylvania
A drinking driver was recorded in 24% of fatal crashes in Lancaster County from 2015 to 2024, below the Pennsylvania share of 25%; speeding in 35%, below the Pennsylvania share of 40%; a hit-and-run in 2.5%, below the Pennsylvania share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.7%, about the Pennsylvania share; 53% 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.
| Lancaster | Pennsylvania | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 46% | 45% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| At or near an intersection | 30% | 24% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 25% | above the Pennsylvania share |
| A drinking driver | 24% | 25% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Speeding | 35% | 40% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.7% | 5.3% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 53% | 58% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.5% | 5.1% | below the Pennsylvania share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 18% | about the same as the Pennsylvania share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 12% | 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 Lancaster County
- How many people died in car accidents in Lancaster County in 2024?
- 52 people died in 49 fatal crashes in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 2024, 2.0% more than in 2023. That is 9.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 8.6 across Pennsylvania.
- What is the deadliest road in Lancaster County?
- US 222 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Lancaster County from 2015 to 2024: 32, with 36 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Lancaster County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 22 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Lancaster County involved a drinking driver?
- 115 of 474 fatal crashes in Lancaster County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 24%, against 25% across Pennsylvania.
Other counties in Pennsylvania with a page
- Philadelphia County
- Allegheny County
- Bucks County
- Berks County
- Montgomery County
- York County
- Westmoreland County
- Chester County
- Luzerne County
- Dauphin County
- Lehigh County
- Erie County
All fatal crashes in Pennsylvania, with every county ranked.
Where the Lancaster County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Lancaster County (county code 71). 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.