Maryland reports 226 traffic deaths in 2026, five dead in one week

Maryland officials reported five traffic fatalities during the week of July 20‑26, 2026, raising the state’s year‑to‑date death toll to 226. The July total stands at 33, compared with 271 recorded by the same date in 2025. The fatalities comprise 141 drivers, 53 passengers, 45 pedestrians, 4 bicyclists and 93 motorcyclists for 2026, each category below the previous year’s full‑year figures.

The numbers were released by the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland State Police as part of the “Slow the Fast Down” safety campaign launched by Governor Wes Moore on July 7. The campaign targets speeding, which is involved in roughly one‑third of fatal crashes, and emphasizes high‑visibility enforcement, especially in work zones. Officials noted that motorcyclists remain disproportionately affected, accounting for nine of July’s deaths.