Fatal Crashes Only
This report covers fatal crashes only, from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System — the federal census of every crash on a US public road that killed someone within 30 days. It does not include injury or property-damage-only crashes, and its totals are not comparable with the all-severity crash reports published elsewhere on this site.
If someone you love is part of this data, call us.
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YEAR-OVER-YEAR CRASH REPORT · MAINE · 2023
Purpose: Machine-readable JSON endpoint for AI agents, LLMs, researchers, and programmatic consumers. Returns all underlying crash data and AI-generated commentary without HTML.
Authentication: None required. Public endpoint.
GET: https://thatcarhitme.com/api/crash-data/reports/data/maine/fatal/statewide/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
127 CRASHES IN
MAINE
2023
In 2023, there were 127 fatal crashes and 135 fatalities, marking a decrease from 2022, which saw 171 fatal crashes and 182 fatalities. This represents a 25.73% reduction in fatal crashes and a 25.82% reduction in fatalities year-over-year. The most notable shift is the significant overall decline in fatal crashes and associated fatalities.
127
▼ -25.7%was 171
Total Crash Events
135
▼ -25.8%was 182
Persons Killed
66
▼ -37.1%was 105
Persons Injured
0
▼ -100.0%was 1
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (135) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (127) counts crash events where at least one fatality occurred. A single crash can result in multiple fatalities.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Aggregate counts from crash, person, and vehicle records
Trend Summary
Fatal crashes in the state of Maine decreased by 25.73%, falling from 171 fatal crashes in 2022 to 127 in 2023. Similarly, the number of fatalities saw a 25.82% reduction, from 182 in 2022 to 135 in 2023. This indicates a positive downward trend in fatal crash incidents and their outcomes.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
19
Pedestrians Killed
115
Motorists Killed
1
Other Killed
0
Pedestrians Injured
66
Motorists Injured
0
Other Injured
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Mode classified from person records (driver/passenger → motorist; pedestrian; bicyclist → cyclist; in-line skater / unspecified → other)
When Crashes Happen
The peak day for fatal crashes shifted from Saturday with 37 incidents in 2022 to Wednesday with 23 incidents in 2023. The peak hour for fatal crashes also changed, moving from 3 PM with 13 incidents in 2022 to 4 PM with 14 incidents in 2023. Monthly patterns show that June had the highest number of fatal crashes in 2022 with 22, while September and October tied for the highest in 2023 with 19 fatal crashes each.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash date field aggregated by weekday
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash time field aggregated by hour (0-23)
Road & Environmental Conditions
Fatal crashes occurring in clear weather decreased from 124 in 2022 to 81 in 2023, while those in cloudy conditions fell from 24 to 22. Fatal crashes in daylight decreased from 93 in 2022 to 75 in 2023, and those in dark, unlighted conditions dropped from 57 to 32. There was a slight increase in fatal crashes during dusk, from 5 in 2022 to 6 in 2023, and during dawn, from 3 to 4.
Weather
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Weather condition at time of crash
Lighting
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Lighting condition field
Vehicles & Demographics
The top vehicle makes involved in fatal crashes saw shifts year-over-year. Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota, which were among the top three in both periods, all experienced decreases in their involvement. Ford fatal crashes decreased from 30 in 2022 to 26 in 2023, Chevrolet from 32 to 23, and Toyota from 32 to 17.
Top Vehicle Makes (172 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
1 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (258 persons with recorded sex)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Speed Limit Zones
Fatal crashes in 45 mph speed zones decreased from 48 in 2022 to 31 in 2023, while those in 55 mph zones also fell from 29 to 17. Fatal crashes in 35 mph zones decreased from 27 to 19. Notably, fatal crashes in 25 mph zones increased from 7 in 2022 to 17 in 2023.
Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 17 of 17 (100%) · 30 mph: 5 of 5 (100%) · 35 mph: 19 of 19 (100%) · 40 mph: 11 of 11 (100%) · 45 mph: 31 of 31 (100%) · 50 mph: 13 of 13 (100%) · 55 mph: 17 of 17 (100%) · 60 mph: 1 of 1 (100%) · 65 mph: 6 of 6 (100%) · 70 mph: 2 of 2 (100%)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Posted speed limit at crash location
Manner of Collision
The dominant manner of fatal collision in both periods was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport', decreasing from 108 in 2022 to 89 in 2023. Angle fatal collisions decreased from 30 to 19, and front-to-front fatal collisions decreased from 23 to 15. All major collision types showed a decrease in fatal crash involvement.
Manner of Collision
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Vehicle Type
The number of 4-door sedans involved in fatal crashes decreased from 59 in 2022 to 29 in 2023. Light pickups saw a reduction from 49 to 30, and compact utility vehicles decreased from 43 to 33. Fatal crashes involving motorcycles also significantly decreased, from 33 in 2022 to 16 in 2023.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 17 reported. 8 additional (19 total) not shown: Minivan (Chrysler Town and Country, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Voyager, Honda-Odyssey, ...), 2-door sedan,hardtop,coupe, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 19,501 to 26,000 lbs.), Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs.), ATV/ATC [All-Terrain Cycle], 3-door/2-door hatchback, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 10,001 to 19,500 lbs.), Large Van-Includes van-based buses (B150-B350, Sportsman, Royal Maxiwagon, Ram, Tradesman,...).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Rural vs Urban
Fatal crashes on rural trafficways decreased from 143 in 2022 to 102 in 2023, while urban fatal crashes slightly decreased from 26 to 25. Rural roads continue to account for a disproportionately high share of fatal crashes, representing 102 out of 127 fatal crashes in 2023. This indicates that the majority of fatal crashes occur on rural roadways, which often feature higher speeds and less infrastructure.
Rural vs Urban
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Functional Class
Fatal crashes on Major Collector roads decreased from 44 in 2022 to 33 in 2023, and on Minor Arterial roads from 29 to 24. Local roads maintained a consistent 31 fatal crashes in both periods. The category of Principal Arterial - Other, which had 36 fatal crashes in 2022, was not among the top classes in 2023.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
Fatal crashes on State Highway Agency-owned roads decreased from 136 in 2022 to 96 in 2023. Fatal crashes on Town or Township Highway Agency-owned roads remained stable at 30 for both periods. State Highway Agency roads continue to account for the largest share of fatal crashes.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Type
The number of drivers involved in fatal crashes decreased from 251 in 2022 to 171 in 2023. Passengers involved also saw a reduction from 88 to 67, and pedestrians from 21 to 19. The number of bicyclists involved in fatal crashes decreased from 2 in 2022 to 0 in 2023.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
Fatal injuries decreased from 182 in 2022 to 135 in 2023, while serious injuries dropped from 32 to 20. Minor injuries decreased from 47 to 30, and possible injuries from 26 to 16. The number of persons with no reported injury also declined from 75 to 57.
Person Injury Severity
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Occupant Safety Equipment
The use of 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' in fatal crashes decreased from 206 persons in 2022 to 113 in 2023. 'None Used/Not Applicable' decreased slightly from 120 persons to 114. Notably, in 2023, the number of persons reported with 'None Used/Not Applicable' is almost equal to those using 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used'.
Occupant Safety Equipment
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Point of Impact
Fatal crashes involving a '12 Clock Point' (front impact) decreased from 132 in 2022 to 114 in 2023. Impacts at the '11 Clock Point' decreased from 27 to 8, and at the '1 Clock Point' from 15 to 4. However, fatal crashes with a '3 Clock Point' (right side) impact increased from 7 in 2022 to 13 in 2023.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 9 smaller categories (11 records): Undercarriage (2), Left-Front Side (2), 8 Clock Point (1), 5 Clock Point (1), 7 Clock Point (1), 10 Clock Point (1), Left (1), Left-Back Side (1), Right-Front Side (1).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Vehicles Per Crash
Single-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 105 in 2022 to 83 in 2023, and two-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 52 to 38. Fatal crashes involving three vehicles dropped from 10 to 6. There were no fatal crashes involving four vehicles in 2023, down from 4 in 2022.
Vehicles Per Crash
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Data Sources & Methodology
Primary Data Source
All crash data in this report is sourced from NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), accessed programmatically via the NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SODA). This dataset contains official police-reported motor vehicle traffic crash records maintained by the reporting jurisdiction's law enforcement agency. Records are published to the open data portal by the municipality and are subject to the portal's terms of use.
Data Retrieval
- Access method: NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SoQL queries)
- Data format: Structured JSON via REST API
- Record types queried: Crash events, person records, and vehicle unit records
- Date filter applied: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31
- Report generated: August 5, 2026
Data Coverage
- Reporting period: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31 (365 days)
- Geographic scope: Maine
- Total crash records analyzed: 127
- Total persons involved: 258
- Total vehicles involved: 172
Analytical Methodology
- Severity classification: Uses the KABCO injury scale (K=Fatal, A=Incapacitating injury, B=Non-incapacitating injury, C=Possible injury, O=No injury/property damage only), the standard classification in U.S. Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). Severity is assigned per crash event based on the most severe injury in that crash. A single fatal crash (K) may involve multiple fatalities; therefore the "Persons Killed" count in the headline KPIs may differ from the "Fatal" crash count in the severity breakdown.
- Contributing factors: Reflect the officer-determined primary contributory cause recorded at the time of the crash report. These are preliminary determinations and may not reflect final investigation findings.
- Hit-and-run classification: Based on the hit-and-run indicator field in the official crash report, as determined by the responding officer at the scene.
- Temporal analysis: Day-of-week and hour-of-day distributions are computed from the crash date/time timestamp in each record.
- Demographics: Age and sex distributions are drawn from person-level records linked to each crash event. A single crash may involve multiple persons.
- Vehicle data: Make information is drawn from vehicle unit records linked to each crash event.
- AI commentary: Narrative sections are generated by Google Gemini (large language model) based on the structured data. Commentary is descriptive, not predictive, and should not be interpreted as expert opinion.
Limitations & Disclaimers
- Only crashes reported to and documented by law enforcement are included. Minor incidents, unreported crashes, and near-misses are not captured in this dataset.
- Data reflects conditions at the time of the initial police report and may be subject to subsequent corrections, reclassifications, or supplements by the reporting agency.
- Open data portal records may experience a publication lag - recently occurring crashes may not yet appear in the dataset at the time of report generation.
- AI-generated commentary is produced by a large language model and is intended to highlight patterns in the data. It does not constitute legal, medical, or professional analysis.
- Percentages are calculated from reported data and are subject to rounding.
Non-Affiliation Disclosure
This report is produced independently by ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with any law enforcement agency, municipal government, state department of transportation, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Data is sourced from publicly available government open data portals.
Data License
The underlying crash data is provided under the municipality's Open Data Terms of Use and is made available to the public for unrestricted use. This analysis and report is © 2026 Injuria.ai and may be cited with attribution using the suggested citation below.
Corrections & Feedback
If you believe any data in this report is inaccurate or have questions about our methodology, please contact: data@injuria.ai. We are committed to accuracy and will issue corrections promptly.
Suggested Citation
ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). "Maine Crash Intelligence Report: 2023." Published August 5, 2026. Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31. Data source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), NHTSA FARS Open Data. Available at: https://thatcarhitme.com/crash-data/maine/fatal/statewide/2023-annual-report
About the Publisher
ThatCarHitMe.com is a crash data intelligence platform developed by Injuria.ai, a legal technology company specializing in traffic safety analytics. We aggregate and analyze publicly available government crash data to produce structured intelligence reports for communities, researchers, journalists, and legal professionals. Our reports combine programmatic data retrieval from official open data portals with AI-assisted narrative analysis.
Questions about this report's data or methodology: data@injuria.ai
ThatCarHitMe.com · An Injuria.ai Company
ThatCarHitMe.com
An Injuria.ai Company
Crash Data Intelligence
Data: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · NHTSA FARS
Period: 2023-01-01 – 2023-12-31
Generated: August 5, 2026 · All rights reserved
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