In 2023, Delaware reported 27,522 reportable traffic crashes statewide. Of these, 131 crashes were fatal, 5,303 involved personal injuries, and 22,088 resulted in property damage only. On average, one reportable crash occurred every 19 minutes across the state. The 131 fatal crashes resulted in 138 deaths, and about 24% of these fatal crashes involved alcohol. Overall, 7,815 people were injured in traffic crashes in Delaware in 2023, meaning that for every person killed, approximately 56 people were injured. The state also recorded 29 pedestrian fatalities, slightly lower than 31 in 2022, with about nine pedestrian injuries for every pedestrian death. Additionally, five bicyclists and 16 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Among the motorcyclists who died, six were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. In comparison, 2022 saw 27,830 reportable crashes in Delaware, including 146 fatal crashes and 165 deaths, which tied the highest annual fatality total since 1988.
In Delaware in 2023, 49 fatalities involved car occupants, accounting for about 36% of all traffic deaths.
14 motorcyclists were killed, making up about 10% of the state's traffic fatalities.
36 fatalities involved light truck and SUV occupants, representing around 27% of the total.
5 fatalities were in the bicyclist/other category, which includes rare instances like buses/public transportation, accounting for about 4% of all deaths (bus-specific deaths are very low and often combined with "other").
1 large truck occupant fatality was reported, representing about 1% of all fatalities.
27 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, comprising about 20% of Delaware's traffic fatalities in 2023.
Delaware's busiest and most dangerous highway, especially through Wilmington. Heavy commuter traffic, speeding, aggressive driving and frequent multi-vehicle crashes contribute to a high number of fatalities.
One of the deadliest roads in the state due to high traffic volume, numerous intersections, commercial vehicle traffic and frequent head-on and rear-end collisions.
A major north-south corridor connecting beaches and cities. High seasonal tourism traffic, speeding and congestion lead to many severe crashes, especially during summer months.
Known for dangerous intersections, commercial traffic and heavy suburban congestion near Newark and Bear. Multi-vehicle accidents are common along this route.
Running parallel to I-95 near Wilmington, I-495 experiences high-speed crashes, merging accidents and congestion-related collisions.
Single-vehicle fatal car accidents are more common in rural southern Delaware areas near Seaford and along Route 13 and Route 1.
of fatal car accidents in Delaware happen in rural areas.
Multiple vehicle fatal car accidents occur most frequently around Wilmington, Newark and Dover.
of fatal car accidents in Delaware happen in urban areas.
A car accident can be overwhelming and stressful, even if it's minor. Knowing what steps to take immediately afterward can help protect your health, your legal rights, and your financial interests. Here are five essential things to do after an accident:
Your safety comes first. Check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt. Even if injuries seem minor, it's important to get medical attention, as some symptoms may not appear right away. If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic while waiting for help to arrive.
Always report the accident to the police. An official police report creates an objective record of what happened, which can be critical for insurance claims and legal matters. Cooperate with the officer, provide accurate information, and avoid admitting fault at the scene.
If it's safe to do so, gather as much information as possible. Take photos or videos of the vehicles, damage, license plates, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) and attempt getting contact details from any witnesses in the area.
Even if you feel fine, consider seeing a medical professional as soon as possible. Injuries such as whiplash, concussions, or soft-tissue damage can take hours or days to show symptoms.
Report the accident to your insurance provider promptly and provide them with accurate details. Stick to the facts and avoid speculation. Keep copies of all documents related to the accident, including medical bills, repair estimates, and correspondence with insurers.
The No Changing Clothes in a Vehicle Law: In Delaware, beach towns like Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach have a municipal law prohibiting changing your clothes inside a motor vehicle on a public road or in a public parking lot. This law is often categorized under “General Decency Laws” and you can get a citation for public indecency or disorderly conduct if you are caught violating this ordinance.
The No Whispering in Church Law: In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, it is illegal to whisper or disrupt a religious service. While this law may appear to have nothing to do with driving a motor vehicle, there have been cases where drivers have been cited for violating this law while parked with a running vehicle with a loud exhaust.
The No Selling Car on Sunday Law: In Delaware, it is illegal for car dealerships to sell or deliver motor vehicles on Sundays. While this law was originally enacted many decades ago to protect car dealership employees and ensure they had at least one day of rest per week, it has become one of the most frequently discussed and occasionally frustrating automotive retail laws in the state. Some local car buyers would prefer to spend their Sunday afternoons finalizing their vehicle purchases rather than waiting until Monday morning to complete the transaction.
The Driving Through a Funeral Procession Law: In Delaware, it is strictly illegal to drive through or interfere with a funeral procession on a public road or highway. The state of Delaware takes the solemn and sacred nature of a funeral procession very seriously and enforces this law with significant penalties for drivers who fail to yield to funeral processions. Cutting through a funeral cortege is not just considered deeply disrespectful; it is also explicitly against the law.
The No Speeding on a Highway Law: In Delaware, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent given the current weather, visibility, traffic, and road conditions on a public highway, regardless of the posted speed limit. Delaware's speed law requires all drivers to adjust their speed according to current road and traffic conditions. This law makes it possible for law police officers to issue speeding citations even when a driver is technically traveling below the posted speed limit.
The Bicycle Riding Law: In Delaware, cyclists are legally permitted to ride their bicycles on public roads and highways and are subject to the same traffic laws and regulations as motor vehicle operators. However, Delaware law also requires cyclists to use designated bicycle lanes where they are available and to signal their intentions clearly before making turns or changing lanes.
The No Driving While Sleepy Law: In Delaware, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle on a public road while in a state of extreme fatigue or drowsiness that significantly impairs the driver's ability to safely control the vehicle. Fatigued driving is extraordinarily dangerous and the consequences of falling asleep at the wheel on public roads can be devastating. The state of Delaware takes drowsy driving very seriously and actively enforces its fatigued driving laws, helping to ensure that all Delaware drivers are sufficiently alert and attentive to safely operate a motor vehicle on public roads.
The Move Over Law: In Delaware, all drivers are legally required to move over one lane or reduce their speed significantly when passing emergency vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, tow trucks, or roadside assistance vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road with their lights flashing under Delaware Code Title 21, Section 4122. Failure to comply with Delaware's Move Over Law can result in significant fines and is considered one of the most seriously enforced traffic safety laws in the state.
Beach Tailgating Ban: In Fenwick Island there is a local ordinance that strictly prohibits using any vehicle for the purpose of tailgating or picnicking on public land. Traditional parking lot tailgating is not permitted in parking lots and it is possible to get a citation for cooking in these restricted areas and for even just sitting on a blanket on the ground.
The Road Rage Law: In Delaware, aggressive driving and road rage behaviours are considered serious traffic violations under Delaware state law and can result in criminal charges, significant fines, mandatory anger management programs, license suspension, and even jail time for extreme and particularly dangerous cases of road rage on Delaware public roads. Delaware law enforcement takes road rage and aggressive driving very seriously and actively monitors public roads for drivers who engage in reckless, threatening, or any other dangerous behaviour toward other road users while behind the wheels of a motor vehicle.
The No Racing on Public Roads Law: In Delaware, it is strictly illegal to participate in or organize any form of motor vehicle racing or speed competition on a public road or highway. Delaware takes its street racing laws extremely seriously and enforces them with significant penalties, including substantial fines, mandatory license suspension and potential vehicle impoundment for drivers caught participating in illegal street racing on Delaware public roads.
The Headlight Requirement Law: In the state of Delaware, all drivers are legally required to turn on their vehicle's headlights between sunset and sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced to less than 500 feet due to weather conditions such as rain, fog, snow or smoke under Delaware Code Title 21 Section 4353. Driving without properly functioning headlights during these legally specified conditions is considered a serious traffic violation in Delaware and can result in a fine as well as significantly increased legal liability in the event of a traffic accident.
The Noise Ordinance Driving Law: In Delaware, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle that has been modified to produce excessive noise on public roads. Drivers operating vehicles equipped with aftermarket performance exhaust systems that produce sound levels exceeding the legally permitted maximum may be pulled over and be required to bring their vehicle into full compliance before being allowed to legally drive on Delawares public roadways and highways.