Maryland officials announced that traffic fatalities declined by about 18 percent statewide in 2025, according to preliminary data, falling from 582 deaths in 2024 to 480 in 2025.
It marked the first time since 2014 that annual fatalities dropped below 500 and placed 2025 among the five lowest years for traffic deaths since 1960. Wes Moore and Aruna Miller said the decline reflects expanded efforts in enforcement, infrastructure, and data-driven safety strategies aimed at reducing serious crashes across the state.
State officials reported that the largest reductions were among vulnerable road users, with pedestrian and bicyclist deaths falling from 173 to 116 and motorcyclist fatalities dropping from 90 to 48. The Maryland Department of Transportation attributed the improvements to increased investments in education, enforcement, engineering, and safety programs, including expanded speed enforcement, seat belt campaigns, and Complete Streets initiatives. Officials noted that despite the progress, impairment, speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive driving remain leading causes of crashes, and ongoing safety projects and public awareness efforts will continue under the state’s long-term highway safety plan.
