Key Takeaways
- Maryland records 4.09 preventable fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, ranking #9 nationwide and among the 10 states with the lowest rate of preventable road accidents, while averaging 253 deaths annually across key risk factors (2020–2024).
- Despite recording more total crashes than smaller states like Rhode Island (32.2) and Nebraska (75.6), Maryland’s per-capita rate remains significantly lower than the national median, reflecting effective road safety outcomes relative to its population of over 6.1 million.
- Compared with higher-risk states like New Mexico (16.39), Montana (15.88), and Wyoming (14.09), Maryland’s rate is approximately four times lower, highlighting a substantial difference in preventable crash risk.
Every time drivers take to the road in Maryland, they benefit from one of the safest road environments in the country. Maryland averages 253 preventable fatal crashes each year linked to speeding, impaired driving, and distraction, translating to just 4.09 deaths per 100,000 residents, placing it #9 nationwide. Despite a sizable population of over 6.1 million, the state consistently maintains a per-capita risk well below the national median, reflecting strong driving practices and effective safety measures.
The research by Florida-based personal injury law firm Blakeley Law Firm analyzed fatal crash data across all 50 U.S. states from 2020 to 2024, focusing on incidents involving impaired driving, distracted driving, and speeding. For each state, these fatalities were combined and averaged annually to create a consistent baseline. The figures were then adjusted per 100,000 residents using population estimates, allowing for fair comparisons. States were ranked based on their average annual preventable fatal crash rate per 100,000 population.
Maryland’s Preventable Crash Risk Snapshot: Fatal Crash Rates and Key Statistics
Using Five-Year Data From 2020–2024
Metric Value National Rank (Preventable Fatal Crash Rate per 100,000 Residents) #9 Average Annual Population (2020–2024) 6,189,390 Avg. Annual Preventable Fatal Crashes 253.4 Preventable Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Residents 4.09 Avg. Annual Fatal Crashes Involving Impaired Driving 69.8 Avg. Annual Fatal Crashes Involving Distracted Driving 35.4 Avg. Annual Fatal Crashes Involving Speeding 148.2
Maryland Among 10 States With the Lowest Rate of Preventable Road Accidents
America’s Safest States by Preventable Fatal Crash Rate per 100,000 Population (2020–2024)
| Rank | State | Avg. Annual Preventable Fatal Crashes (2020–2024) | Per 100,000 Population |
| 1 | Massachusetts | 186.2 | 2.65 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 32.2 | 2.93 |
| 3 | New York | 583.0 | 2.94 |
| 4 | Minnesota | 193.4 | 3.37 |
| 5 | Iowa | 120.0 | 3.74 |
| 6 | Nebraska | 75.6 | 3.83 |
| 7 | Ohio | 452.8 | 3.84 |
| 8 | Utah | 136.2 | 4.02 |
| 9 | Maryland | 253.4 | 4.09 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 59.0 | 4.23 |
Maryland ranks #9 among the 10 states with the lowest preventable fatal crash rates, recording 4.09 per 100,000 residents and outperforming #10 New Hampshire (4.23). Massachusetts holds the #1 rank with the lowest rate at 2.65, followed by Rhode Island at #2 (2.93) and New York at #3 (2.94).
Maryland Compared to the Highest-Risk States
Understanding Differences in Preventable Crash Risk Across High and Low Risk States
Rank State Preventable Fatal Crashes per 100,000 Residents Difference from Maryland #9 Maryland 4.09 — #50 New Mexico 16.39 4.00× higher than Maryland #49 Montana 15.88 3.88× higher than Maryland #48 Wyoming 14.09 3.44× higher than Maryland #47 South Carolina 12.50 3.05× higher than Maryland #46 Louisiana 11.74 2.87× higher than Maryland
Maryland’s rate of 4.09 per 100,000 is four times lower than #50 New Mexico (16.39), the highest-risk state, and nearly three times lower than #46 Louisiana (11.74). This gap reinforces Maryland’s position as one of the safest states for preventable crash risk nationwide.
Maryland vs National Average Breakdown by Crash Type
Understanding What Drives the State’s Low Preventable Crash Risk
Crash Type Maryland (Avg. Annual) U.S. Average Difference from U.S. Average Impaired Driving 69.8 126.28 44.7% Lower Distracted Driving 35.4 60.52 41.5% Lower Speeding 148.2 212.90 30.4% Lower
Maryland records lower-than-average figures across all three crash types, with impaired driving fatalities 44.7% below, distracted driving 41.5% below, and speeding 30.4% below the national average. These consistently lower figures across every category contribute to the state’s overall position as one of the lowest-risk environments for preventable fatal crashes.
Methodology
The study analyzed fatal crash data across all 50 U.S. states from 2020 to 2024, focusing on incidents involving impaired driving, distracted driving, and speeding. For each state, these fatalities were combined and averaged annually to create a consistent baseline. The figures were then adjusted per 100,000 residents using population estimates, allowing for fair comparisons. States were ranked based on their average annual preventable fatal crash rate per 100,000 population.
Data Sources
Preventable Fatal Crash Data (2020-2024):
Research Datasheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1o0VuBHt4y8vzNcBip7YuM24qrJ4zJMVDGstBHGPeV6M/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Study By:
About Blakeley Law Firm
Blakeley Law Firm is a Florida-based personal injury law firm that represents clients injured in motor vehicle accidents and families who have lost loved ones due to negligence. The firm focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death claims.
