Fatal Roads

States › Arizona › 1985

1985

Arizona · year

Arizona in 1985

Deaths 893Fatal crashes 782Per 100,000 —US deaths 43,825

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 1985.

In 1985, 893 people died in 782 fatal crashes in Arizona.

The death toll was about level between 1984 (869) and 1985 (893).

Arizona accounted for 2% of the 43,825 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

42.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

39% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1984 and the nation

MeasureArizona 1985Arizona 1984United States 1985
Deaths89386943,825
Fatal crashes78278739,196
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver43%38%40%

Counties in 1985

Every county with a fatal crash in 1985, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 15 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Maricopa County3433738.05,330
Pima County11011810.91,451
Pinal County516312.3713
Coconino County476142.0520
Yavapai County375120.2528
Mohave County404720.8561
Navajo County324036.5410
Apache County333757.1318
Yuma County242611.8253
Gila County192546.2219
Cochise County212419.1259
La Paz County1518105.9185
Graham County5512.497
Santa Cruz County447.967
Greenlee County1–21–2—14

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am4.6%
1am5.9%
2am4%
3am2.6%
4am2.2%
5am2.7%
6am3.2%
7am1.9%
8am1.7%
9am2.3%
10am2.2%
11am4.3%
12pm2.9%
1pm4%
2pm3.5%
3pm4.3%
4pm4.2%
5pm4.7%
6pm7.5%
7pm7.4%
8pm6.6%
9pm6.6%
10pm4.1%
11pm6.5%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday10%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday13%
Thursday13%
Friday17%
Saturday19%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Arizona in 1985?

893 people in 782 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1985 file.

Which county in Arizona had the most crash deaths in 1985?

Maricopa County with 373 deaths in 343 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1985 compare with 1984 in Arizona?

893 deaths against 869 in 1984 (+3%). Nationally the 1985 total was 43,825.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1985 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.