States › Massachusetts › 2002
Massachusetts in 2002
Deaths 459Fatal crashes 433Per 100,000 7.2US deaths 43,005
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 2002.
In 2002, 459 people died in 433 fatal crashes in Massachusetts, 7.2 deaths per 100,000 residents against 15.0 nationally.
The death toll was about level between 2001 (477) and 2002 (459).
Massachusetts accounted for 1.1% of the 43,005 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
32.1% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
29% of the crashes happened between midnight to 6am; Sunday was the most common day.
Compared with 2001 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 2002 | Massachusetts 2001 | United States 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 459 | 477 | 43,005 |
| Fatal crashes | 433 | 446 | 38,491 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 7.2 | 7.5 | 15.0 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 32% | 31% | 36% |
Counties in 2002
Every county with a fatal crash in 2002, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 13 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | 61 | 65 | 3.9 | 513 |
| Worcester County | 61 | 64 | 7.3 | 533 |
| Essex County | 52 | 56 | 6.8 | 332 |
| Plymouth County | 50 | 54 | 10.0 | 370 |
| Bristol County | 39 | 41 | 7.0 | 429 |
| Suffolk County | 36 | 38 | 4.8 | 271 |
| Norfolk County | 34 | 38 | 5.1 | 368 |
| Hampden County | 32 | 33 | 7.1 | 418 |
| Barnstable County | 22 | 23 | 9.9 | 138 |
| Berkshire County | 21 | 22 | 17.1 | 122 |
| Hampshire County | 16 | 16 | 9.7 | 84 |
| Franklin County | 8 | 8 | 11.3 | 71 |
| Dukes County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 10 |
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 Massachusetts in 2002?
459 people in 433 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2002 file, or 7.2 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 2002?
Middlesex County with 65 deaths in 61 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2002 compare with 2001 in Massachusetts?
459 deaths against 477 in 2001 (+-4%). Nationally the 2002 total was 43,005.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2002 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.