| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 184[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 37[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 5.0[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 737,601[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Norfolk County car accident statistics record 184 deaths from 2020 through 2024, representing 92.9% of the county's 198 traffic deaths. In 2024, the car accident death count was 37, accounting for 100.0% of traffic deaths that year. The period's car accident deaths occurred in 176 fatal crashes, with an average of 36.8 deaths per year. These counts describe crashes that happened in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
A car accident here means a fatal crash involving at least one passenger car, SUV, pickup or van. Deaths include everyone killed in those crashes, using the categories People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans, People in other vehicles, and Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping). The sources are NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Census Bureau population estimates.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
Car accident deaths in Norfolk County by year
The annual car accident death count fell from 42 in 2020 to 34 in 2021, rose to 41 in 2022, fell to 30 in 2023 and rose to 37 in 2024. The highest count was 42 in 2020, while the lowest was 30 in 2023. The 2024 count was 5 deaths lower than the 2020 count.[1][2][3][4][5]
All traffic deaths numbered 44 in 2020, 37 in 2021, 43 in 2022, 37 in 2023 and 37 in 2024. Car accident deaths accounted for 95.5%, 91.9%, 95.3%, 81.1% and 100.0% of those respective annual totals. Although all traffic deaths were unchanged from 2023 to 2024, deaths in the passenger-vehicle-involved group rose.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 42 | 44 | 95.5% |
| 2021 | 34 | 37 | 91.9% |
| 2022 | 41 | 43 | 95.3% |
| 2023 | 30 | 37 | 81.1% |
| 2024 | 37 | 37 | 100.0% |
Deaths within 30 days in crashes on public roads. 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and can be revised.
Who died in Norfolk County car accidents
People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 122 deaths, or 66.3% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 17 deaths, or 9.2%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 45 deaths, or 24.5%.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Each category includes deaths in fatal crashes involving at least one passenger vehicle. The categories describe the people counted within that crash selection. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) follows the FARS classification and can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
By manner of collision, car accident deaths numbered 18 for Angle (side impact), or 9.8%; 19 for Head-on, or 10.3%; 23 for Rear-end, or 12.5%; and 12 for Sideswipe, or 6.5%. The Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport row recorded 112 deaths, or 60.9%.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. The latter row means that event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport. Examples include striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. A motor vehicle in transport can be stopped in traffic; physical movement is not the classification test.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Daytime, defined as 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 89 car accident deaths, or 48.4%, from 2020 through 2024. Nighttime, defined as 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 95 deaths, or 51.6%. The nighttime death count was higher than the daytime count.[1][2][3][4][5]
The urban classification recorded 183 deaths, or 99.5%, while the rural classification recorded 1 death, or 0.5%. Car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 11, representing 6.0% of the selected deaths. That truck-involvement figure counts deaths in qualifying crashes, not the number of trucks or crashes.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with Massachusetts and the United States
Norfolk County's car accident death rate was 5.0 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. The Massachusetts rate was 4.7, and the national rate was 10.5. Norfolk County's rate was higher than the state rate and lower than the national rate.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
The listed neighboring counties had rates of 3.0 in Middlesex County, 5.5 in Worcester County, 6.3 in Bristol County and 6.2 in Plymouth County. Among the listed neighboring counties, Bristol County had the highest rate and Middlesex County had the lowest. These rates use deaths divided by the sum of annual Census population estimates, multiplied by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Area | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk County, Massachusetts | 184 | 5.0 |
| Massachusetts | 1,664 | 4.7 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| Middlesex County, Massachusetts (neighbor) | 243 | 3.0 |
| Worcester County, Massachusetts (neighbor) | 238 | 5.5 |
| Bristol County, Massachusetts (neighbor) | 183 | 6.3 |
| Plymouth County, Massachusetts (neighbor) | 166 | 6.2 |
Rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates, so they show deaths per 100,000 residents per year. They do not adjust for miles driven or for visitors.
Recorded characteristics of all fatal crashes
Recorded characteristics cover all fatal crashes in Norfolk County, of any vehicle type, rather than only the car accident selection. As shares of all traffic deaths, speeding-related crashes accounted for 32.8%, roadway departure for 44.9%, and crashes at an intersection for 28.3%. Pedestrian involved accounted for 21.2%, motorcycle involved for 12.6%, hit-and-run for 4.0%, driver distraction reported for 10.6%, and in a work zone for 2.0%.[1][2][3][4][5]
A crash can carry several recorded characteristics, so these rows overlap and do not add to 100%. The entries describe recorded characteristics and are not findings of fault or cause.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Recorded crash characteristic (all fatal crashes) | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Share of all traffic deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding-related | 65 | 32.8% |
| Roadway departure | 89 | 44.9% |
| At an intersection | 56 | 28.3% |
| Pedestrian involved | 42 | 21.2% |
| Motorcycle involved | 25 | 12.6% |
| Hit-and-run | 8 | 4.0% |
| Driver distraction reported | 21 | 10.6% |
| In a work zone | 4 | 2.0% |
A crash can carry several characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These are recorded characteristics, not findings of fault.
About these figures
FARS is NHTSA's census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. Counts follow crash location, not where the people killed lived. Readers searching for a car accident lawyer should keep that geographic grouping in mind.[8][6][7]
The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files; 2024 uses the revisable Annual Report File. Rates use deaths divided by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025, multiplied by 100,000. The separately displayed July 1, 2024 population estimate is not the denominator. Rates do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.[8][6][7]
See also
References
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2021 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2023 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwx "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2024 national data files (Annual Report File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghi "Annual resident population estimates for counties, April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA)". U.S. Census Bureau. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefgh "Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical User's Manual, 1975-2024 (DOT HS 813 794)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- ab "Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024 (DOT HS 813 791, April 2026)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record