Thirty-nine people died in crashes on Maryland roads in September, 15 fewer than in September 2025, according to preliminary data from the Maryland Department of Transportation.
Pedestrians accounted for 13 of the September deaths, a third of the month’s total. Fifteen drivers, five motorcyclists, three passengers and three bicyclists also died.
Through the end of September, 328 people have died on Maryland roads in 2026. MDOT puts last year’s total for the same period at 369, a decline of about 11%. Deaths were lower than in 2025 in six of the year’s nine months. March, June and August ran higher.
The improvement follows a strong 2025. Last year, Maryland’s traffic deaths fell about 18% to a decade low, the first time in more than a decade the state recorded fewer than 500 deaths.
“While this year-over-year trend is encouraging, the Maryland Department of Transportation remains focused on sustaining this progress and working toward the goal of zero roadway deaths,” the agency said.
Motorcyclists remain the exception
Motorcycle riders are the one major group moving the wrong way. Sixty motorcyclists have died on Maryland roads this year, already 11 more than the 49 MDOT counts for all of 2025. The Chronicle reported in early September that motorcyclist deaths had passed last year’s full-year total with nearly four months to go. Five more riders died in September.
Other groups are well below last year’s pace. Through September, 144 drivers, 46 passengers and 65 pedestrians have died, compared with full-year 2025 totals of 233, 83 and 111.
Tips for fall driving
With darker evenings and school back in session, the state is reminding drivers to:
- Share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists, and look twice before changing lanes or turning. Motorcycles are easy to miss in a blind spot.
- Stop for school buses with flashing red lights. The only exception is for drivers on the opposite side of a road divided by a physical median.
- Keep vehicles in good working order and carry an emergency kit.
- With a flat tire, put safety ahead of the repair. Pull off the road if possible, turn on your hazard lights, and call for roadside help if needed.
- Obey speed limits and slow down, especially in work zones.
- Move over for any vehicle with flashing lights, or slow down if you can’t change lanes safely.
- Put the phone away and avoid other distractions.
- Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Buckle up in every seat, front and back.
- Avoid aggressive driving and leave extra time to get where you’re going.
The figures are preliminary and may change. More information is available from the state’s Highway Safety Office at ZeroDeathsMD.gov.
