Maryland in 1985
Deaths 729Fatal crashes 656Per 100,000 —US deaths 43,825
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 1985.
In 1985, 729 people died in 656 fatal crashes in Maryland.
The death toll rose 13% from 643 in 1984 to 729 in 1985.
Maryland accounted for 1.7% of the 43,825 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
41.6% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
33% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1984 and the nation
| Measure | Maryland 1985 | Maryland 1984 | United States 1985 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 729 | 643 | 43,825 |
| Fatal crashes | 656 | 588 | 39,196 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 42% | 40% | 40% |
Counties in 1985
Every county with a fatal crash in 1985, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 24 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince George's County | 103 | 110 | 11.4 | 1,090 |
| Baltimore County | 94 | 97 | 11.4 | 714 |
| Baltimore city | 67 | 72 | 12.7 | 491 |
| Montgomery County | 60 | 64 | 5.9 | 425 |
| Anne Arundel County | 59 | 63 | 10.5 | 454 |
| Harford County | 32 | 36 | 13.6 | 190 |
| Charles County | 31 | 33 | 18.9 | 246 |
| Frederick County | 22 | 30 | 10.0 | 236 |
| Howard County | 21 | 25 | 7.4 | 236 |
| Washington County | 23 | 23 | 14.6 | 166 |
| Queen Anne's County | 14 | 21 | 39.1 | 73 |
| Cecil County | 18 | 18 | 16.9 | 218 |
| Caroline County | 13 | 18 | 52.6 | 75 |
| Carroll County | 12 | 18 | 10.2 | 147 |
| Allegany County | 17 | 17 | 25.3 | 79 |
| St. Mary's County | 14 | 15 | 12.9 | 141 |
| Worcester County | 12 | 15 | 27.6 | 110 |
| Wicomico County | 11 | 13 | 12.2 | 129 |
| Dorchester County | 7 | 10 | 30.2 | 49 |
| Talbot County | 9 | 9 | 23.5 | 51 |
| Garrett County | 5 | 8 | 28.2 | 64 |
| Calvert County | 7 | 7 | 7.4 | 97 |
| Somerset County | 4 | 6 | 23.8 | 37 |
| Kent County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 30 |
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
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Maryland in 1985?
729 people in 656 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1985 file.
Which county in Maryland had the most crash deaths in 1985?
Prince George's County with 110 deaths in 103 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1985 compare with 1984 in Maryland?
729 deaths against 643 in 1984 (+13%). Nationally the 1985 total was 43,825.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1985 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.