States › Massachusetts › 2015
Massachusetts in 2015
Deaths 344Fatal crashes 327Per 100,000 5.1US deaths 35,484
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 2015.
In 2015, 344 people died in 327 fatal crashes in Massachusetts, 5.1 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.1 nationally.
The death toll was about level between 2014 (354) and 2015 (344).
Massachusetts accounted for 1% of the 35,484 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
23.5% 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 (35%).
37% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Sunday was the most common day.
Compared with 2014 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 2015 | Massachusetts 2014 | United States 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 344 | 354 | 35,484 |
| Fatal crashes | 327 | 336 | 32,538 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 5.1 | 5.2 | 11.1 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 24% | 30% | 28% |
Counties in 2015
Every county with a fatal crash in 2015, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 14 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester County | 47 | 53 | 6.0 | 533 |
| Middlesex County | 46 | 48 | 2.9 | 513 |
| Bristol County | 40 | 41 | 7.0 | 429 |
| Norfolk County | 37 | 38 | 5.1 | 368 |
| Plymouth County | 35 | 38 | 7.0 | 370 |
| Hampden County | 28 | 30 | 6.5 | 418 |
| Suffolk County | 28 | 30 | 3.8 | 271 |
| Essex County | 23 | 23 | 2.8 | 332 |
| Barnstable County | 12 | 12 | 5.2 | 138 |
| Berkshire County | 12 | 12 | 9.3 | 122 |
| Franklin County | 11 | 11 | 15.5 | 71 |
| Hampshire County | 6 | 6 | 3.6 | 84 |
| Dukes County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 10 |
| Nantucket County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
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
Road type
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Massachusetts in 2015?
344 people in 327 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2015 file, or 5.1 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 2015?
Worcester County with 53 deaths in 47 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2015 compare with 2014 in Massachusetts?
344 deaths against 354 in 2014 (+-3%). Nationally the 2015 total was 35,484.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2015 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.