The 5 Deadliest Roads in Maryland: Where Crashes Happen Most — And What You Can Do If You're Hurt

Every year, thousands of lives are forever changed on Maryland’s highways. In 2025 alone, Prince George’s County has already reported 34 roadway deaths, the highest in the state and more than double some neighboring jurisdictions. From rural corridors to urban expressways, certain roads in Maryland have earned a grim reputation for being especially deadly.

Based on state and federal crash data, we’ll explore Maryland’s five most dangerous road stretches and explain what makes each so hazardous. Whether you’re a daily commuter, a truck driver, or a pedestrian, understanding these high-risk areas could help save a life.

Maryland’s Traffic Safety Overview: The Sobering Reality

Maryland’s commitment to reducing roadway fatalities is strong, yet the statistics remain challenging.

• Overall Crashes: In 2023, Maryland recorded over 110,000 total crashes. While slightly lower than pre-pandemic figures (116,017 in 2019), the sheer volume underscores persistent risk.
• Fatalities: The number of deaths has seen a concerning increase, rising from 535 in 2019 to 621 in 2023. This highlights the severity of crashes on Maryland roads.
• Injury Crashes: The number of injury-reported crashes decreased from 32,938 in 2019 to 28,577 in 2023. However, the sustained number of serious injuries remains a critical concern.

Various factors, including driver behavior and infrastructure, influence these figures.

Common Crash Types and Their Causes

Understanding prevalent crash types helps identify specific dangers:

• Rear-End Collisions: The most common type, often occurring in congested traffic or at intersections. Key causes are distracted driving (texting, phone use), tailgating, and sudden stops.
• Angle Crashes (T-Bone): These are frequent at intersections and result from failure to yield, running red lights/stop signs, improper left turns, or driver inattention. Poor signal timing and obscured visibility can exacerbate these risks.
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes: A significant and tragic issue in Maryland, particularly in urban and suburban areas. Causes include driver inattention, failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, speeding, and inadequate pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure (lack of sidewalks, poor lighting).
• Speed-Related Crashes: Speeding dramatically increases crash severity and fatality risk. It reduces a driver’s ability to react and control their vehicle.
• Distracted Driving: A pervasive problem, leading to thousands of crashes annually. Activities like texting, talking on the phone, or interacting with in-car systems divert critical attention from the road.
• Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drug impairment severely compromise judgment, reaction time, and coordination, leading to severe and fatal outcomes.
• Lane Departure Crashes: Vehicles running off the road or crossing the center line, often due to fatigue, impaired driving, distraction, or excessive speed on curves.

Local Hazard Factors

Beyond driver behavior, environmental and infrastructural elements contribute to crash risk:

• High Traffic Volume & Congestion: Maryland’s major metropolitan areas mean heavy traffic, especially during peak hours. Congestion increases frustration, leading to aggressive driving, and the stop-and-go nature makes rear-end collisions common.
• Lighting: Many roads, particularly older sections or less developed areas, lack adequate lighting. This significantly reduces drivers’ visibility and makes pedestrians/cyclists harder to spot at night.
• Intersection Design and Signal Timing: Poorly designed or timed intersections can create confusion, encourage risky maneuvers, and increase the likelihood of angle and turning collisions. Urban initiatives like Vision Zero aim to address these design flaws.
• Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, ice, and fog reduce traction and visibility, demanding adjusted driving behavior that many drivers fail to implement.
• Roadside Obstacles: Unforgiving objects close to the roadway, such as trees, utility poles, or rigid barriers, can turn a minor lane departure into a severe or fatal crash.
• Work Zones: Necessary but inherently hazardous, work zones often involve narrowed lanes, shifted traffic patterns, and sudden stops, requiring extreme caution from drivers.

Maryland’s Top 5 Deadliest Road Stretches

Certain road segments consistently appear on lists of high-collision areas due to design, traffic volume, and driver behavior.

1. I-95: I-495 Capital Beltway to MD 100 Interchange (Prince George’s & Howard Counties)

• Fatal Crashes (2018–2022): 12
• Fatalities (2018–2022): 14
• Crashes per mile: 3
• Why It’s Dangerous: This section of I-95 is a crucial East Coast corridor, experiencing immense traffic volume, including heavy truck presence. This leads to severe congestion, high-speed weaving between lanes, and numerous complex interchanges (I-495, MD 100) that can overwhelm drivers. Aggressive driving and distraction are prevalent, contributing to rear-end and sideswipe collisions. Older sections may also have suboptimal lighting.
• Local Context: This stretch provides access to major destinations like Arundel Mills Mall, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Maryland Live! Casino. The rush to these high-traffic areas adds to driver stress and urgency.

2. MD Route 32: I-95 to MD Route 108 (Howard County)

• Fatal Crashes (2018–2022): 7
• Fatalities (2018–2022): 8
• Crashes per mile: 2
• Why It’s Dangerous: MD 32 here transitions from a high-speed rural highway to a more suburban arterial, causing inconsistent speed limits and frequent changes in road design. Limited lighting in less developed areas reduces nighttime visibility. Numerous merging conflicts from access points and intersections lead to various collision types.
• Local Context: This route is a critical link to Fort Meade and the National Cryptologic Museum, drawing significant commuter traffic. It also serves numerous residential and commercial areas in Columbia.

3. Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD 295): I-95 Split to I-495 (Prince George’s County)

• Fatal Crashes (2018–2022): 10
• Fatalities (2018–2022): 11
• Crashes per mile: 2
• Why It’s Dangerous: This parkway segment features older design standards, including narrow lanes and minimal to no shoulders, which offer little room for error or emergency stops, escalating collision severity. Short acceleration lanes at on-ramps force sudden merges. Despite high speed limits, its outdated design for modern traffic volumes makes it inherently risky, leading to frequent rear-end and sideswipe crashes.
• Local Context: Adjacent to Goddard Space Flight Center and connecting to Washington D.C., this parkway is a primary commuter route. Its historical, scenic nature belies its high-stress, high-volume reality.

4. MD Route 210 (Indian Head Highway): Oxon Hill to Accokeek (Prince George’s County)

• Fatal Crashes (2018–2022): 7
• Fatalities (2018–2022): 8
• Crashes per mile: 2
• Why It’s Dangerous: Indian Head Highway is infamous for speed-related crashes, with drivers often exceeding limits on long, straight stretches. It also has a tragically high rate of pedestrian fatalities, due to inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, poor lighting, and pedestrians crossing multi-lane traffic.
• Local Context: This route serves communities south of Washington D.C., providing access to National Harbor, MGM National Harbor Casino, and Fort Washington National Park. The draw of these venues can contribute to impaired driving.

5. US Route 1: College Park to Laurel (Prince George’s County)

• Fatal Crashes (2018–2022): 6
• Fatalities (2018–2022): 6
• Crashes per mile: 2
• Why It’s Dangerous: This is a busy urban arterial mixing through traffic with local drivers, commercial vehicles, and significant pedestrian activity. Numerous local driveways and commercial access points create frequent turning movements and stops. High pedestrian activity, especially around the University of Maryland, significantly increases pedestrian crash risk.
• Local Context: Home to the University of Maryland, College Park, and bustling commercial districts in Beltsville and Laurel. The constant flow of students, residents, and customers contributes to congestion and complex traffic scenarios.

Prince George’s County: A Key Area of Concern

Prince George’s County consistently records the highest number of fatal accidents and serious injuries in Maryland. This is mainly due to:

• Concentration of Major Highways: It hosts significant portions of I-95, I-495, MD 210, MD 295, and US 1.
• Dense Population and Rapid Development: Increased local traffic and access points.
• Prevalence of Risky Driving Behaviors: High rates of speeding, aggressive driving, impaired driving, and unbelted occupants.
• Pedestrian Vulnerability: Many areas lack adequate pedestrian infrastructure.

Staying Safe on Maryland’s Roads

While risks exist, proactive measures can significantly enhance safety:

• Drive Defensively: Always anticipate potential hazards and the actions of other drivers.
• Control Your Speed: Adhere to limits and adjust for weather, traffic, and road conditions.
• Eliminate Distractions: Your phone and other distractions can wait. Focus solely on driving.
• Maintain Safe Following Distance: Allow ample space between your vehicle and the one ahead.
• Be Aware of Pedestrians and Cyclists: They are highly vulnerable. Yield, look carefully, especially at intersections and at night.
• Never Drive Impaired: Arrange for alternative transportation if you’ve consumed alcohol or drugs.
• Adjust to Weather: Reduce speed and increase following distance in rain, snow, or fog.
• Exercise Caution in Work Zones: Slow down and obey all temporary signage.

After an Accident: Seeking Legal Guidance

Even with careful driving, accidents can happen. If you or a loved one is involved in a collision on Maryland’s dangerous roads, the aftermath can be overwhelming, dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and insurance companies.

LocalAccidentReports.com is dedicated to connecting accident victims with experienced legal professionals. We understand the complexities of personal injury claims and the importance of prompt legal advice.

If you’ve been in an accident, don’t face it alone. Contact LocalAccidentReports.com at (888) 657-1460 for a free consultation. Our network of local Maryland attorneys can provide crucial guidance, help you understand your rights, navigate the legal process, and fight for the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Prompt legal action can be critical for preserving evidence and meeting important deadlines. Reach out today for the support you need to secure justice after a Maryland roadway incident.