Fatal Roads

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2023

District of Columbia · year

District of Columbia in 2023

Deaths 44Fatal crashes 39Per 100,000 6.4US deaths 41,025

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 2023.

In 2023, 44 people died in 39 fatal crashes in District of Columbia, 6.4 deaths per 100,000 residents against 12.2 nationally.

The death toll rose 38% from 32 in 2022 to 44 in 2023.

District of Columbia accounted for 0.1% of the 41,025 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

33.3% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (44%).

44% of the crashes happened between midnight to 6am; Thursday was the most common day.

Compared with 2022 and the nation

MeasureDistrict of Columbia 2023District of Columbia 2022United States 2023
Deaths443241,025
Fatal crashes392837,769
Deaths per 100,000 residents6.44.712.2
Crashes with a drinking driver33%29%26%

Counties in 2023

Every county with a fatal crash in 2023, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 1 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
District of Columbia39446.3335

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am17.9%
1am7.7%
2am2.6%
3am12.8%
4am0%
5am2.6%
6am0%
7am5.1%
8am2.6%
9am0%
10am0%
11am0%
12pm0%
1pm5.1%
2pm2.6%
3pm2.6%
4pm0%
5pm7.7%
6pm7.7%
7pm2.6%
8pm5.1%
9pm5.1%
10pm2.6%
11pm7.7%

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday8%
Tuesday13%
Wednesday15%
Thursday26%
Friday13%
Saturday10%

Road type

Other principal arterial44%
Minor arterial28%
Interstate13%
Major collector8%
Local8%
Other freeways and expressways0%
Minor collector0%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in District of Columbia in 2023?

44 people in 39 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2023 file, or 6.4 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in District of Columbia had the most crash deaths in 2023?

District of Columbia with 44 deaths in 39 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2023 compare with 2022 in District of Columbia?

44 deaths against 32 in 2022 (+38%). Nationally the 2023 total was 41,025.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2023 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.