States › Massachusetts › 2020
Massachusetts in 2020
Deaths 343Fatal crashes 327Per 100,000 4.9US deaths 39,007
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 2020.
In 2020, 343 people died in 327 fatal crashes in Massachusetts, 4.9 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.8 nationally.
The death toll was about level between 2019 (336) and 2020 (343).
Massachusetts accounted for 0.9% of the 39,007 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
25.7% 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 (31%).
34% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 2019 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 2020 | Massachusetts 2019 | United States 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 343 | 336 | 39,007 |
| Fatal crashes | 327 | 323 | 35,935 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 4.9 | 4.9 | 11.8 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 26% | 31% | 27% |
Counties in 2020
Every county with a fatal crash in 2020, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol County | 46 | 48 | 8.2 | 429 |
| Middlesex County | 44 | 46 | 2.8 | 513 |
| Hampden County | 42 | 44 | 9.5 | 418 |
| Norfolk County | 40 | 44 | 5.9 | 368 |
| Essex County | 40 | 40 | 4.9 | 332 |
| Worcester County | 31 | 33 | 3.7 | 533 |
| Plymouth County | 27 | 30 | 5.5 | 370 |
| Suffolk County | 19 | 19 | 2.4 | 271 |
| Berkshire County | 15 | 15 | 11.7 | 122 |
| Barnstable County | 12 | 12 | 5.2 | 138 |
| Hampshire County | 5 | 6 | 3.6 | 84 |
| Franklin County | 4 | 4 | 5.6 | 71 |
| 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 2020?
343 people in 327 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2020 file, or 4.9 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 2020?
Bristol County with 48 deaths in 46 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2020 compare with 2019 in Massachusetts?
343 deaths against 336 in 2019 (+2%). Nationally the 2020 total was 39,007.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2020 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.